B&M gets lockdown sales boost as customers turn to DIY May 29, 2020 Discount chain B&M today reported a sharp rise in sales as customers stockpiled groceries and DIY equipment during the coronavirus lockdown. In the first eight weeks of the new financial year the retailer posted a 22.7 per cent rise in life-for-like revenue, as surging demand for gardening and DIY products offset a decline in customer [...]
Consumer confidence among millennials jumps during lockdown May 28, 2020 Consumer confidence among millennials has jumped during the UK coronavirus lockdown, according to the latest research. Sentiment in the 25 to 34 age group has risen from minus seven in April to 16 this month, a survey tracking expectations of future disposable income and shopping behaviour showed. The age group has overtaken the 18 to [...]
Monsoon Accessorize teeters on brink of administration May 28, 2020 Fashion retailer Monsoon Accessorize is preparing to appoint administrators, putting up to 3,500 jobs at risk, as the coronavirus crisis continues to pile pressure on the already struggling UK high street. Monsoon Accessorize is expected to file a notice of intention to appoint administrators in the next few days, Sky News reported. FRP Advisory, which [...]
McColl’s hires ex-Casual Dining Group finance chief May 28, 2020 Convenience store chain McColl’s has hired former Casual Dining Group finance chief Giles David, the retailer announced this morning. David will join the company as chief financial officer on 1 June, after leaving Casual Dining Group, which owns Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge, last year. McColl’s also announced this morning that chief commercial [...]
Debenhams cuts ‘hundreds’ of head office and store jobs May 28, 2020 Embattled retailer Debenhams is preparing to cut “hundreds” of jobs, with both head office and in-store roles set to go. Debenhams, which is set to reopen most of its branches on 15 June, will cut some in-store roles due to reduced opening hours and the continued closure of services such as cafes, Morning Wire understands. [...]
Harrods to open Westfield outlet shop to ease pressure on Knightsbridge store May 28, 2020 Harrods is preparing to open a new London outlet to host its summer sale and create more space at its Knightsbridge flagship store. The Harrods Outlet at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush will open in July and offer discounted stock from the existing season that the retailer was unable to sell when stores closed during the UK [...]
Cineworld shares soar as it secures $110m cash boost for July reopening May 28, 2020 Shares in Cineworld jumped almost 25 per cent this morning after the chain said it had secured $110m (£90m) from lenders and hoped to reopen cinemas by July. The UK cinema operator said it had secured the cash through an increase in its revolving credit facility. It has also been granted approval to apply for [...]
Boohoo buys remaining stake in Pretty Little Thing May 28, 2020 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo has today bought the remaining 34 per cent stake in Pretty Little Thing after facing conflict of interest criticisms from a short-seller. The deal is for an initial consideration of £269.8m, with a further £54m of consideration “contingent on Boohoo’s share price averaging 491p per share over a six month period [...]
All McDonald’s drive-thru restaurants to reopen next week May 27, 2020 All McDonald’s drive-thru restaurants across the UK will be open by the end of next week, the fast food giant announced today. The restaurants will reopen between Tuesday and Thursday next week, and the burger chain will also expand the availability of its delivery service. By 4 June, 1,019 McDonald’s restaurants in the UK and [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: When will hairdressers reopen? May 27, 2020 Hairdressers and barbers have been closed for more than nine weeks after they were ordered to shut their doors during the UK coronavirus lockdown announced on 23 March. Searches for “how to cut hair” have increased 412.2 per cent since the beginning of lockdown, while searches for “how to shave your head” have soared 277.8 [...]