Ocado partners with major Spanish grocer as revenue leaps July 6, 2021 Revenue at supermarket Ocado is up significantly on the same period last year, as the online model proved resilient in the face of Covid-19 restrictions. Revenue for the business stood at £1.3bn for the first half of 2021, up 24.4 per cent on H1 2020. Group EBITDA more than tripled to £61m, despite increased [...]
Mulberry to close Paris store as slashed tourism hits another capital July 6, 2021 Mulberry will close the doors to its Paris store until international tourism returns, the luxury brand said today. Exiting the lease early at its 275 Rue Saint Honoré store, slashed tourism numbers due to pandemic restrictions has seemingly hit Paris much like it has hit London. The brand will bag net proceeds after tax of [...]
Shoppers will be encouraged to wear masks inside Westfield shopping centres July 6, 2021 Shoppers at Westfield shopping centres will be encouraged to wear masks even after the legal requirement to do so is dropped. Jactina Rowsell, manager of Westfield shopping centre in White City, said in order to make shoppers and staff feel safe, masks would be encouraged in both London shopping centres. “We’re very aware and [...]
John Lewis and Waitrose to introduce flexible working for head office staff July 5, 2021 Bosses at John Lewis and Waitrose have confirmed they will introduce flexible working for all staff based at the company’s head offices. The announcement by the employee-owned retailer came after Boris Johnson confirmed plans to lift most lockdown restrictions on 19 July, including an end to the government’s work from home guidance. “If restrictions are [...]
Hospitality chiefs celebrate 19 July announcement but warn of long road to recovery July 5, 2021 The hospitality industry welcomed Boris Johnson’s lockdown easing announcement this evening with open arms, but still fears the hangover from Covid-19 restrictions will damage trade. Business owners in the industry have hailed the government decision to lift compulsory restrictions on so-called “Freedom Day”, meaning pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to operate at full [...]
Major investor LGIM calls for more detail on Morrisons property portfolio before voting on takeover July 5, 2021 Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), one of Morrisons’ biggest shareholders, has called for more detail on Morrisons’ property portfolio before it votes on a private equity takeover bid. Over the weekend Morrisons accepted a £6.3bn takeover offer by a consortium of funds led by private equity firm Fortress. But this morning rival Apollo said [...]
Sainsbury’s plans £50m in price cuts as supermarket wars with Aldi and Lidl heat up July 5, 2021 Sainsbury's plans £50m in price cuts as supermarket wars with Aldi and Lidl step up
Morrisons: Amazon Fresh deal could be key factor in takeover battle of the summer July 5, 2021 Morrisons’ supply deal with Amazon could be a major factor in what is shaping up to be the biggest takeover battle of the summer, with the scale and scope of Amazon offering bidders a unique chance to be part of what could be a major market upset. This morning Morrisons share price rocketed more than [...]
John Lewis to build 10,000 rental homes July 5, 2021 Retailer John Lewis will build 10,000 rental homes over the next few years, in a move into the residential property market. Tenants will have a choice of renting fully furnished with John Lewis products or using their own, according to reports. The move will give the business a long-term, stable income, and provide new job [...]
Bidding war on the cards after Morrisons accepts £6.3bn takeover July 4, 2021 Rival private equity firms are reportedly considering entering a rival bid to Morrisons’ £6.3bn takeover, which was announced yesterday. The UK supermarket chain’s board accepted a 252p-a-share offer by private equity group Fortress, after an earlier £6bn bid by a different firm was turned down two weeks ago. The total value of the deal is [...]