Boots hikes profit forecasts as pharmacy sales offset high street slump March 31, 2021 The US owner of Boots today hiked its profit forecasts for the full year as higher pharmacy sales helped offset lower footfall during lockdown. Walgreen Boots Alliance posted an 8.4 per cent increase in profit to $1bn (£725m) in the second quarter, driven by a rise in comparable pharmacy sales in the US. Revenue for [...]
H&M dives into the red and rules out dividend payment March 31, 2021 Retail giant H&M reported a loss for the December-February period this morning and confirmed it will not propose a divided at its upcoming annual general meeting. However, the Stockholm-based clothing giant did not rule out a divided later in the year. The world’s second-biggest fashion retailer pre-tax loss during the fiscal first quarter was $159m, [...]
Topps Tiles puts in resilient performance despite lockdown closing stores March 31, 2021 Topps Tiles saw revenue grow in the first half of its 2021 financial year despite the recent coronavirus lockdown closing its stores and halting its commercial work. In the 26 weeks ending 27 March, the tile specialist saw revenues of £103.6m, down slightly from £106m during the same period in 2020. In the first [...]
Ex-Greene King boss buys 42 pubs including London venues from Stonegate March 30, 2021 Redcat Pub Company, the firm led by former Greene King boss Rooney Anand, has bought 42 venues from Stonegate. The company announced today that 50 per cent of the managed pubs are in prime London areas, in a vote of confidence in the capital’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. It said the estate consists of [...]
Panic over: Brits made 117m fewer trips to the supermarket this March March 30, 2021 Brits made 117m fewer trips to supermarkets this month than in March 2020, which was a month that saw supermarket shelves stripped bare as consumers started panic buying ahead of the UK’s first national lockdown. Grocery sales fell three per cent in the four weeks to 21 March 2021, while during the same period last [...]
Profit and revenue turn flat at Irn Bru owner AG Barr following rollercoaster year March 30, 2021 AG Barr saw profits and revenue fell in 2020 relative to the previous year, following a volatile and unpredictable year. Revenue at the firm, which owns brands Irn Bru and Rubicon, stood at £227m for its 2021 financial year, down 11 per cent from 2020, where revenue stood at £255.7m. The firm’s profit before [...]
Wetherspoon to invest £145m in new pubs and upgrades March 30, 2021 Wetherspoon is set to invest £145 million opening new pubs and upgrading existing ones, creating 2,000 new jobs, the pub chain announced this morning. The ambitious plans will start within weeks of its pubs reopening fully as the lockdown eases. A total of 18 new pubs will open and “significant extensions and upgrades” will be [...]
Picnic in style with our top restaurant-in-a-box delivery kits March 29, 2021 As the weather turns and outdoor meet-ups for two groups of up to six people are finally allowed, there’s a bit of optimism in the air. What better way to celebrate than with a Covid-friendly, appropriately-distanced, outdoor feast? Our Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen continues to eat his way through as many home delivery boxes as [...]
Central London pubs and restaurants prepare to welcome back punters with new al fresco options March 29, 2021 Pubs and restaurants are gearing up to welcome workers and visitors back to Central London next month, with preparations underway to create more outdoor seating areas. Canada’s Leadenhall Market today revealed plans for some of its tenants to reopen from 12 April, with others following in May. Meanwhile, in the West End, [...]
Retail footfall jumps ahead of lockdown easing as Brits prepare to socialise March 29, 2021 Retail footfall jumped last week as shoppers prepared to meet friends and family outdoors ahead of the lifting of some lockdown restrictions today. The number of visitors to UK retail destinations was up 6.6 per cent last week compared to the week before, as Brits looked forward to the relaxation of Covid rules, which allows [...]