Plan B ‘huge blow’ for city centre pubs as night clubs question timing of Covid passports December 8, 2021 Pubs and bars have called the introduction of Plan B Covid restrictions a “huge blow” for the sector, which was hoping to recoup its losses this Christmas. “Make no mistake, this is a huge blow for our sector as it further undermines consumer confidence and is devastating for pubs based near offices and in town [...]
Fashion firm Quiz reports rebounding sales as shoppers buy party clothes again December 8, 2021 Fast fashion retailer Quiz posted a first half sales rebound after it was battered by pandemic store closures last year. Sales more than doubled year-on-year in the two months to November, following the lifting of restrictions on social gatherings. Shoppers flocked back to stores to buy occasion and dressy products. A higher level of full [...]
Dyson hits back at EU Court for ‘bad regulation’ after losing £150m legal bid for damages over bagless vacuum cleaners December 8, 2021 Dyson says it will appeal a decision by an EU court after losing a legal battle for €176m (£150m) in damages over vacuum cleaner energy labelling regulations. Although Dyson managed to overturn a Brussels regulation which allowed older vacuum models to appear energy efficient as more modern, bagless vacuum cleaners, the company’s claim for damages [...]
Square Mile braces for Plan B as businesses say work from home guidance will ‘destroy’ trade December 8, 2021 Businesses in Canada have said they are preparing for the worst ahead of a reported announcement on a work-from-home message. Multiple media outlets have reported that the Prime Minister is to usher in vaccine passports for large venues and instruct office employees to work from home once more. There will be a press [...]
1 in 15 customer service staff have faced death threats as businesses call for better treatment December 8, 2021 Retail staff have said customer abuse has become more aggressive after the shops were hit by stock and labour shortages this year. The Institute of Customer Service, alongside bosses from household names including Marks and Spencers, Sainsbury’s and Wickes, has signed an open letter calling for better treatment of customer service staff. Workers fear abuse [...]
Nightclubs ‘must not be thrown under bus’ as a distraction from Christmas party fury December 8, 2021 Nightclubs are readying themselves for a “devastating” Christmas as rumours swirl over the imminent introduction of fresh Covid restrictions. Multiple newspapers have reported that so-called Plan B restrictions could be announced as early as tonight in a press conference. The restrictions would mean vaccine passports and an instruction to work-from-home once more. Late-night venues had [...]
TikTok taps into ecommerce with UK live shopping launch December 8, 2021 TikTok is set to produce its first live shopping and entertainment event today, where people can buy products directly on the platform, tapping into the rise of "social shopping".
Department store Fortnum & Mason appoints new chief operating and innovation officer December 8, 2021 Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason has appointed Iain Roberston to a new role of chief operating and innovation officer. Robertson will join the retailer after a 17-year stint at Burberry, where he was senior vice president of global planning and inventory. He will join the department store in February 2022 and oversee the supply [...]
Shoppers eye discount brands as increasing costs of essentials bite December 8, 2021 Shoppers are eyeing cheaper prices at discount supermarkets amid increases in the cost of living. Brands to focus on affordable prices have made market share gains over the past 12 weeks, according to fresh data from Kantar. Lidl hit a new record market share of 6.4per cent, while Aldi gained 0.2 percentage points to move [...]
Consumer spending anxiety on the up as households look to cut back before Christmas December 8, 2021 Brits are growing increasingly anxious about the rising cost of living and are dining out less and shopping in cheaper stores. With food and energy bills on the up, more than one in three are nervous they will be unable to pay for essentials, according to a survey of 2,000 UK adults. Almost half of [...]