More than 200,000 UK workers get Christmas pay rise in line with real living wage November 11, 2019 More than 200,000 employees from major UK companies are set for a pre-Christmas pay rise thanks to the “real living wage” campaign. Businesses signed up to the campaign will raise its London employees’ hourly wages by 20p to £10.75. Read more: Sajid Javid promises to increase nationa living wage to £10.50 Meanwhile, the hourly rate [...]
Sainsbury’s signs wholesale deal with Australia’s Coles November 11, 2019 Sainsbury’s has agreed a deal to provide Australian supermarket Coles with own-brand products as the UK grocery giant seeks to strengthen its wholesale business. The range, which will be labelled under the Coles brand, will include packaged groceries and household products. Read more: Sainsbury’s half-year profits slide Through the deal, Sainsbury’s will also analyse which [...]
Takeaway.com admits its own offer for Just Eat is not ‘particularly appealing’ November 11, 2019 Takeaway.com boss Jitse Groen has admitted his firm’s offer for Just Eat is not “particularly appealing” for shareholders, as a takeover battle for the food delivery platform intensifies. Takeaway and Just Eat agreed the terms of an offer for the business in August, however, South Africa’s Prosus launched a rival £4.9m bid. Read more: Takeway.com [...]
Dignity profit falls 30 per cent as fewer people die November 11, 2019 Dignity, the UK’s only listed funeral firm, saw its underlying operating profit slip 30 per cent for the year to date, driven by a significantly lower number of deaths. Profit fell from £68.6m in 2018 to £47.9m this year. Underlying revenue also fell eight per cent, from 244.2m in 2018 to 225.4m. Despite the fall [...]
On a roll: Greggs upgrades profit forecast again as sales increase November 11, 2019 Greggs has upgraded its profit expectations for the year after the bakery chain reported boosted sales for its latest period. Total sales were up 12.4 per cent in the six weeks to 9 November while like-for-like sales in company-managed shops increased 8.3 per cent. Read more: Greggs is cooking up vegan versions of popular products [...]
Retailers are hoping for a Christmas miracle November 11, 2019 The crucial Christmas trading season was once relished by high street bosses hoping to fatten their profits before the New Year. But so troubled is the sector that the once ‘Golden Quarter’ of retail has lost much of its shine, being viewed today by many executives as a way of raking in just enough cash [...]
Lidl ramps up expansion plan with 230 new stores November 10, 2019 Lidl’s expansion spree is set to accelerate, with the German discounter planning 230 extra store openings. The new store plan, first reported today in the Sunday Times, is the latest in a string of bullish moves from Lidl and Aldi, which have been snapping up an increasing share of the grocery market. In a bid [...]
Christmas adverts 2019: Watch retailers from Argos to M&S and Amazon launch their festive ad campaigns November 8, 2019 We might only be a week into November but some of UK’s biggest retailers have already launched their 2019 Christmas advert campaigns, as firms race to make the most of the crucial festive trading period after a challenging year for the high street. In what has become a festive tradition, retailers have pulled out all [...]
Mamas & Papas to shutter stores in pre-pack administration deal November 8, 2019 Maternity retailer Mamas & Papas has called in administrators in order to shutter loss-making stores just days after the collapse of rival firm Mothercare. Bluegem Capital, the owner of Mamas & Papas since 2014, has regained control through a pre-pack administration – an insolvency procedure – which has allowed the retailer to close six unprofitable [...]
Games Workshop shares soar as profits beat £55m November 8, 2019 Games Workshop’s share price rocketed in early trading today after the model maker revealed profits and sales are ahead of last year. Trading between September and early November has beaten the company’s performance for the same period last year, with royalties receivable also “significantly ahead”. Read more: General Election announcement hurts October high street sales [...]