Brits encouraged to back pubs and restaurants on National Hospitality Day September 17, 2021 Londoners have been called on to go out for a drink or meal this weekend to support businesses recovering from multiple lockdowns. Sector charities have organised National Hospitality Day on Saturday to raise awareness of the struggles faced by businesses because of the pandemic. Businesses participating include Brewdog bars offering free pints, Zizzi giving out [...]
Next to run Gap’s UK operation in joint venture September 17, 2021 Next will manage Gap’s online business in the UK and Ireland as a franchise partner, after the companies finalised an agreement. The fashion companies announced they will form a joint venture with Next owning 51 per cent and Gap owning 49 per cent. Next will operate Gap’s e-commerce business across the Next Total Platform, host [...]
Retail sales fall as reopening bounceback runs out of steam September 17, 2021 Retail sales volumes dropped 0.9 per cent last month as Brits rushed to dine out at restaurants when lockdown restrictions eased and stores faced supply disruption. A dip in food store sales of 1.2 per cent and a 1.5 per cent jump in automotive fuel sales suggests that people leaned into post-lockdown freedoms by travelling [...]
Hop growers, breweries and Tesco team up for ‘fruitier’ IPA-style beers to counter US imports September 16, 2021 A Worcestershire hop grower has teamed up with a Derbyshire brewery and retailer Tesco on the first of a series of “all-British grown” IPA-style beers aimed at halting the charge of imported ingredients from America. Newland-based hop factor and merchant Charles Faram has been on a 10-year mission to modernise the flavour of British hops [...]
High street gaps filled by independent businesses as chains suffer September 16, 2021 Independent shops are filling gaps on high streets left after the shuttering of chain stores, recording their first rise in numbers in four years. Some 804 locally run convenience stores, barbers, bakers, cafes and fast-food outlets opened in the first half of 2021, according to Local Data Company (LDC) analysts. While local retailers enjoyed new [...]
Wickes instates first-ever dividend following Travis Perkins demerger September 16, 2021 Revenue at Wickes has grown steadily on pre-pandemic levels, pushing the home improvement store chain to instate its first ever interim dividend. The Watford-headquartered group posted revenue growth of 22.4 per cent on 2019 levels, and 33.1 per cent on a like for like basis, in its interim results for the six months to 26 [...]
M&S to close French high street stores after Brexit red-tape September 16, 2021 Marks & Spencer will shut 11 of its French stores because of supply issues with fresh and chilled foods after Brexit. The supermarket said it would close all franchise stores operated with partner SFH in the country by the end of the year. Nine stores at travel hubs would remain open but supply chain problems [...]
Asos outlines plans for lower carbon footprint September 16, 2021 Online fashion retailer Asos has set out plans to minimise its impact on the planet over the next few years. Under its Fashion with Integrity (“FWI”) 2030 programme, the company intends to become a verified net zero emissions business and use more sustainable and recycled materials by 2030. Consumers are increasingly concerned with fast fashion’s [...]
Superdry losses shrink despite subdued high street footfall September 16, 2021 Superdry said store and wholesale revenues were recovering well despite high streets remaining quiet. The fashion retailer reported a pre-tax loss of £37m for the year to April 24, compared with a £167m loss from a year earlier. Revenues fell 21.1 per cent to £556m for the year after a number of lockdowns across key [...]
John Lewis posts £29m pre-tax loss after restructuring costs September 16, 2021 John Lewis has reported a pre-tax loss of £29m for the year’s first half, after restructuring costs. However, the high street giant said its half year results ending July 31 marked a significant improvement on last year’s pre-tax loss of £635m. Profit before exceptional items was £69m, up £124m on the comparable period last year, [...]