Swatch: Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes could see profit fall further July 16, 2025 Swiss watch brand Swatch has warned its UK profit could continue to shrink as a result of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes. The business has said the increase in employer’s National Insurance contributions – which were announced in October 2024 and came into effect in April this year – will increase operational costs. Swatch added [...]
Soaring beef and butter prices drive food inflation in June July 16, 2025 Food inflation has risen to its highest level in nearly a year as farmers struggle with high costs amid tax rises and extreme weather. Overall inflation was ahead of expectations in June at 3.6 per cent, but food and drink inflation continued to outpace the rest of the economy at 4.5 per cent. This was [...]
Cake Box: ‘We do very well when there’s trouble on the high street’ July 15, 2025 Cake Box has managed to find success on the high street at a tough time for in-store retail, consistently outperforming peers in day-to-day goods. Its recipe for success is simple, according to its chief executive Sukh Chamdal: small celebrations – birthday cakes which start at £20 – are one of the last non-essential things stretched [...]
B&M’s shares drop despite hints of turnaround from new CEO July 15, 2025 B&M has reported a strong set of results under its new CEO after a tough year and a half marked by supply chain issues. But its share price still plunged by 13 per cent in early trades, pulled down by concerns about margin pressures like price deflation and cost inflation. The FTSE 250 company told [...]
First-time buyer demand for furniture and the ‘lipstick effect’ boost June sales July 15, 2025 Demand for furniture and beauty goods caused retail sales to rise in June, boosted by good weather and slowly-recovering consumer confidence. Sales in the UK rose 3.1 per cent year on year in June, against a decline of 0.2 per cent in June 2024, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). “Retailers will [...]
McVitie’s changes tune on UK investment with £68m boost July 14, 2025 The company behind McVitie’s is set to invest millions in the UK despite the latter’s boss ‘dunking’ on the UK as an investment destination last year. London-based snacking giant Pladis will funnel £68m into its facilities, including £21m for its Jaffa Cake factory and £33m for the home of Jacob’s Cream Crackers. The funds will [...]
Exclusive: Amazon Prime Day UK sales top £2bn despite consumer caution July 14, 2025 Amazon’s biggest UK shopping event on record has delivered a much needed adrenaline shot to Britain’s faltering retail sector – with online spending during its four-day Prime event topping £2bn for the first time. Consumers splashed out £2.08bn online between the 8th and the 11th July, driven by steep discounts on everything from baby toys [...]
Wimbledon, Euros and Test cricket set to boost pubs and supermarkets July 12, 2025 Pubs and supermarkets are bracing for a bumper weekend thanks to the heatwave and a deluge of live sport on TV including Wimbledon finals, Test cricket and the Lionesses. A British and Irish Lions tour match, England and Wales rugby internationals, other Women’s Euros fixtures, Tour de France cycling and a trilogy fight between Katie [...]
Wilkin & Sons: King’s jam maker returns to profit despite Reeves’ tax hikes July 11, 2025 Wilkin & Sons, the historic jams maker which supplies King Charles, has returned to profit despite the “significant strain” Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget put on its finances. The Essex-headquartered business, which is behind the Tiptree brand, said the “continued increased in National Minimum Wage” impacted its bottom line while high energy costs also hit its [...]
Arrests made after M&S, Co-op and Harrods cyber attacks July 10, 2025 Four people, including three teenagers and a 20-year-old woman, have been arrested in connection with a wave of cyber attacks that crippled M&S, the Co-op and Harrods. The group allegedly unleashed ransomware that stole millions of customer records, shut down online orders and left supermarket shelves bare. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the individuals [...]