Burger chain Five Guys eyes accelerated expansion after seeing opportunity in pandemic November 15, 2021 “We’re just really early days still,” explains Five Guys’ UK CEO John Eckbert. The US-founded burger chain expects to ramp up its UK expansion plans after the pandemic has opened up real estate opportunities – but dark kitchens would only ever be “temporary.” Alongside Carphone Warehouse founder Sir Charles Dunstone, Eckbert was responsible for launching [...]
Antivaxxers have a new enemy: The Santa from Tesco November 14, 2021 Tesco has become the latest subject to antivax protest, after it included a double vaccinated Santa in its latest Christmas advert. Antivaxxers, those who have been against the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, took to Twitter to protest the advert, which pushed #BoycottTesco to trend on the social media platform. GB News presenter Tonia Buxton tweeted: “#BoycottTesco [...]
All Brits want for Christmas is… gift cards or cold cash November 14, 2021 Gift cards, vouchers or cold cash are the top Christmas presents Brits are hoping to receive this year. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of people chose this option in a YouGov poll, while clothing came second, the choice of 23 per cent. After spending much of last year indoors amid coronavirus restrictions, a [...]
From the Isles of Scilly to Scotland’s Assynt-Coigach: Britain’s most scenic spots revealed November 13, 2021 Cornwall’s Isles of Scilly and north-west Scotland’s Assynt-Coigach are the UK’s favourite scenic destinations, according to a survey. It is the second year in a row that the Isles of Scilly – renowned for their white sandy beaches – were named the top area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. [...]
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: London switches on world’s largest lights November 13, 2021 More than one million LED lights will deck London’s most well-known Christmas hotspots, including Leicester Square, Mayfair and Piccadilly Circus. A total of 20 streets across the city’s West End all had their lights switched on at the same time by the Lord Mayor of Westminster to mark the beginning of the festive season. Shoppers [...]
Exclusive: London fitness platform formed by ex-Barry’s trainers raises fresh equity November 12, 2021 Online fitness platform Grndhouse, co-founded by five London fitness trainers, has raised a financing round led by venture capital firm Passion Capital, the firm told Morning Wire this morning. The £1.5m investment will be used to launch a 4,500 sq ft film studio and facility, along with an app in early 2022, the firm said. [...]
Slim pickings: Frozen turkeys dwindle amid labour shortage and consumer spending splurge November 11, 2021 There is slim availability of frozen turkeys, which prompted fears over Christmas after Covid-19 curbed festivities last year, according to the latest research. Around 18 per cent of stores stocking the Christmas dinner staple in the UK had either “low” stock or “none” at all, market researcher Kantar found, although supplies have increased slightly since [...]
These aren’t just good results…M&S buoyed by update November 11, 2021 Marks and Spencers’ shares were back in fashion on the FTSE 250 yesterday, after a buoyant update indicated greener pastures for the once ailing brand. The retailer boosted full year profit expectations as it reported a profit before tax of £187.3m in the six months to 2 October, sending shares up more than 16 per [...]
WH Smith hails ‘good start’ to the year despite loss of £104m November 11, 2021 Retailer WH Smith has hailed a “good start” to the new financial year amid a continued recovery in its travel stores. It came as the company reported a group pre-tax loss of £104m for the year to August, reducing its losses from £226m last year. Meanwhile, total revenues for the year dropped by 13% against [...]
Burberry’s profits powered by soaring Americas sales November 11, 2021 British fashion house Burberry has been revived by rising revenues across the Americas, as full-price sales in the region nearly doubled in the first half of the year. Revenues in Europe remain 31 per cent down like-for-like on last years figures, while sales remain flat in Asia Pacific region. However, the firm is maintaining its [...]