West End calls for ‘tangible relief’ as footfall hit by Omicron messaging December 22, 2021 Footfall was down 27 per cent on 2019 levels in the West End yesterday, despite the crucial build up to Christmas. Although footfall was up 10 per cent compared with the previous week, businesses have struggled to see the Christmas shopping momentum they anticipated this year. The West End has been hit by messaging to [...]
Tighter Covid rules in Wales will take pubs ‘into sub-viable trading’ December 22, 2021 Additional Covid restrictions from Boxing Day “will only make matters worse” for pubs and restaurants, the Welsh hospitality sector has cautioned. UKHospitality Cymru has warned. No more than six people will be allowed to meet in a group in pubs, cinemas and restaurants from 26 December, it was announced on Wednesday. What’s more, two metre [...]
Brits ‘substantially’ more likely to experience food shortages than EU neighbours December 22, 2021 Brits are “substantially” more likely to have experienced food shortages in recent weeks in comparison with the UK’s European neighbours, according to the latest figures. Some 56 per cent of the UK have been met with fewer options for food, clothing, certain toys and electronic devices, a study by YouGov has found, as the country’s [...]
Gyms plead for government aid as fitness firms feel weight of Omicron December 22, 2021 Gym bosses have pleaded for government help after Omicron has caused attendance numbers at exercise classes to plummet in recent weeks. A work from home directive and scientists’ messaging to avoid socialising in the weeks before Christmas has caused people to shun fitness firms, one boss told CityA.M. While pubs and restaurants are eligible for [...]
Selfridges sale to Thai department store owner ‘days away’ December 22, 2021 An announcement of the sale of Selfridges to a Thai department store giant is merely days away, it has been reported. Central Group, which is Thailand’s largest department store owner, is reportedly inches away from finalising a £4bn deal to acquire the UK luxury store chain. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that [...]
Sony-Zee merger to form Indian entertainment giant to rival Disney and Netflix December 22, 2021 Sony’s Indian arm has reached a deal with Indian rival Zee Entertainment to create the second biggest entertainment network in India. The Indian unit of the Japanese conglomerate will merge 75 television channels, film assets and two streaming platforms with Zee Entertainment, in a bid to compete with streaming rivals Netflix and Disney in India. [...]
Just Eat cuts deal with One Stop as grocery delivery uptake remains strong December 22, 2021 Just Eat has cut a deal with corner shop chain One Stop, as grocery orders continue to show strong uptake through the app. The food delivery giant, which has capitalised on the pandemic-induced shift towards quick online grocery shopping, will be able to ferry around 500 additional grocery items from One Stop stores. Essentials like [...]
London theatres forced to cancel shows after Covid afflicts cast and crew December 21, 2021 London theatres have been forced to shut this week after a wave of Omicron infections hit the capital. Venues have been impacted by cast and crew testing positive for Covid while customers have cancelled tickets for performances. Productions forced to cancel shows include Aladdin, Bring It On, Cabaret, Cinderella, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen [...]
Hospitality bosses say Treasury support ‘borders on insulting’ as firms call for more aid December 21, 2021 Hospitality and leisure bosses have welcomed the announcement of a short-term support package for businesses but called for more. Venues have been hit hard by cancellations as the public stays away from the capital in a last attempt to dodge the highly transmissible Omicron variant before Christmas. After calls from industry bosses, Chancellor Rishi Sunak [...]
Nike revenue hit as Covid factory closures bite but brand ‘increasingly confident’ December 21, 2021 Nike narrowly beat earnings expectations in its quarterly earnings report, after reporting pandemic-related supply chain challenges. In its earnings report for the second quarter, the footwear giant posted just a one per cent increase in revenue from a year before. It put this down to supply chain issues, including “lower levels of available inventory” because [...]