Lidl aims for 1,100 UK stores by 2025, creating 4,000 new jobs November 24, 2021 Supermarket Lidl has announced plans to have 1,100 stores across the UK by 2025, creating 4,000 new jobs, after opening 55 stores during the first year of the pandemic. It comes as the grocer published its accounts filed with Companies House for the 12 months to the end of February showing revenues jumped 12 per [...]
Asia sales and Covid-19 unlocking boost luxury retailer Mulberry November 24, 2021 The Covid-19 unlocking and booming sales in Asia have boosted luxury fashion retailer Mulberry, reveal new figures released today. Income at the London-listed retailer climbed 34 per cent to over £65m, up from £48.9m in the same period last year. Profits jumped to £10.2m, largely driven by the sale of shop leases in France. UK [...]
Small businesses won’t survive 2022 without Christmas bumper, research shows November 24, 2021 Almost one fifth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will not survive 2022 without a Christmas bumper period, as around 36 per cent of businesses make 20 per cent of their annual revenue during the festive period. Research from business insurance provider Simply Business has highlighted how two thirds of business owners believe a good [...]
Pret sales in Canada below pandemic levels November 23, 2021 Pret a Manger’s weekly sales are still down on pre-pandemic levels in Canada while across the UK office lunch sales have made a full recovery. Sales of sandwiches and coffees from the chain’s Square Mile sites were 13 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels last week. Many City workers are still working [...]
Ex M&S boss Lord Rose headed for Asda chairman seat November 23, 2021 The former Marks & Spencer chairman and Land Securities chairs have been announced as new appointments to Asda’s board of directors. Asda said Lord Rose (formerly of Marks & Spencer) has been appointed chairman of the retailer while Dame Alison Carnwath (formerly of Vitec and Land Sec) will join as a non-executive director. The pair [...]
AO World shares dive 24 per cent amid driver shortage and supply chain problems November 23, 2021 Shares in AO World plunged this morning after the company swung to a loss of £11m, as a shortage of drivers and global supply chain issues stalled growth in the UK.
Scottish vaccine passport scheme will not be extended to cinemas and theatres November 23, 2021 Cinema and theatre operators have breathed a sigh of relief after it was confirmed Scotland’s vaccine passport will not be extended to more venues. First minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Covid pass scheme would come to include negative lateral flow test results, as well as the option to show proof of two jabs, from next [...]
Marks & Spencer buys stake in Nobody’s Child as it seeks to broaden clothing appeal November 23, 2021 Marks & Spencer has acquired a 25 per cent stake in affordable fashion brand Nobody’s Child, as it hopes to revive its clothing division. The investment is part of the retailer’s brands strategy which uses different models including wholesale agreements, exclusive collaborations, equity investments, and strategic acquisitions, including a purchase of Jaeger earlier this year. [...]
Catering giant Compass restarts dividend payouts as easing restrictions give profits a lift November 23, 2021 Catering giant Compass said this morning that, despite labour shortages and rising costs, it has restarted shareholder dividend payouts as annual profits jumped higher thanks to easing pandemic restrictions. The world’s biggest caterer saw pre-tax profits more than double to £464m in the year to September 30 from £210m the previous year. Results were bolstered [...]
London recovery: West End busier than week before as shoppers get into Christmas spirit November 22, 2021 Central London was busier last week than the previous week, as shoppers got into the festive spirit. Shopping destinations including Oxford Street and Regent Street saw an 8.3 per cent boost to footfall, in the week beginning 14 November. In a further endorsement for the City’s rebound, London’s office hubs were also busier than the [...]