Heathrow to employ ‘thousands’ ahead of next summer once Plan B eases December 10, 2021 The newly imposed Covid-19 Plan B have dampened Heathrow’s hopes of securing confidence in travel, as the restrictions weigh on already faltering demand. Demand remains 60 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, despite the US reopening its coveted travel corridor in November. “High level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of [...]
Urgent calls for a ‘lessons learned’ review into impact of pandemic handling on high streets December 10, 2021 The government is facing calls to conduct an “immediate lessons learned” review into how high streets were affected by the handling of the pandemic. An online sales tax should also be introduced and go towards a reduction in business rates for the retailer, the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee agreed. In a [...]
Liberal Democrats call for hospitality support amid ‘unprecedented rates’ of Christmas cancellations December 9, 2021 The Liberal Democrats have written to the government requesting urgent support for hospitality firms impacted by plan B measures. Pubs and restaurants in city centres have been concerned about a drop off in trade during what is usually their busiest time of year, following fresh work-from-home guidance. In a letter to the minister for small [...]
Plan B: Central London footfall to plummet with businesses in the lurch December 9, 2021 Central London footfall is anticipated to shrink to 50 per cent below 2019 levels following the government’s move to plan B Covid restrictions this winter. Areas like the West End are currently 20 per cent less busy than pre-pandemic levels, with retail experts at Springboard predicting the gap to widen further. Office workers were told [...]
MADE revises down revenue forecast amid ‘significant’ supply chain struggles December 9, 2021 Home retailer MADE has revised down its revenue guidance as it battles the “significant” supply chain disruptions that have hit most industries. It has also warned investors of a potential £12m to £15m loss in adjusted earnings, which it expects to recover next year. The news prompted shareholders to pile out of the stock, leaving [...]
Moonpig momentum dips following lockdown-induced spending boom December 9, 2021 Moonpig’s revenue and profits have slipped as the lockdown-induced spending momentum dials down. After shops reopened in the six months to October 31, Moonpig’s revenue has sunk 8.5 per cent to £142.6m, with it struggling to compete with the lure of brick and mortar card stores. Investors were not deterred, however, with Moonpig’s share price [...]
Amazon’s ruthless move to block Visa credit cards forces anxious businesses to make stark choices December 9, 2021 Amazon’s recent decision to block Visa credit cards in the UK caught millions of businesses and consumers in between. As a result, many firms have some serious and fairly urgent choices to make, as industry insiders explained to Morning Wire today. Amazon announced in November that it will no longer accept payments made with UK-issued [...]
Victorian Plumbing shares plunge more than a third following earnings caution December 9, 2021 Online bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing had its share price plunge more than a third today, after cautioning investors of flatter earnings in the year ahead. Revenue lifted nearly 30 per cent to £268.8m in the year to September 30, while its adjusted earnings jumped over 50 per cent to £40.1m. However, the company had warned [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group profits surging despite rising supply chain costs December 9, 2021 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has reporting surging half-year profits and forecast a jump in annual earnings despite revealing a hit for supply chain costs and pandemic uncertainty. The parent company of chains including Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Flannels reported pre-tax profits of £186 million for the six months to October 24, up from [...]
Omicron hit to economy: New Covid restrictions may cost businesses £4bn in December December 9, 2021 The UK economy should brace itself for a £4 bn a month hit and see taxpayers foot the bill for more emergency support as new Covid restrictions to clamp down on the spread of the Omicron variant come into force, a think tank has warned. The right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said Plan B [...]