AG Barr expects rise in revenue as sales fizz January 25, 2019 Irn-Bru maker AG Barr has predicted a rise in full-year revenue this morning, despite echoing the fears of many in its industry over the current political and economic uncertainty. The firm said that revenue is expected to be roughly £277m for the year to 26 January, marking a five per cent rise on the previous [...]
Struggling retailer Paperchase exploring sale or store closures January 24, 2019 The owner of stationery and greeting card chain Paperchase is exploring a possible sale as its feels out landlords about a potential company voluntary arrangement (CVA). According to Sky News, Paperchase’s adviser KPMG has been contacting potential buyers this week about a deal which could include a pre-pack administration. The company is also sounding out [...]
Here’s how retailers can enhance the customer experience in-store in 2019 January 24, 2019 The pressure on Britain’s high street is intensifying with shopkeepers preparing themselves for yet another year of declining footfall, driven by low consumer confidence and the growth of online competitors. Against this backdrop, we’re seeing a number of high street retailers revamping their customer experience in-store and trialling new creative strategies to encourage shoppers back [...]
Iceland removes its name from some products after failing to meet own palm oil deadline January 24, 2019 British supermarket Iceland removed its name from some of its own-brand products last year, after it realised it couldn't meet its campaign target of selling no products containing palm oil under its branding. The retailer said it would remove all palm oil from 100 per cent of its own products by the end of 2018, due [...]
Tesco and Carrefour to trial refillable container scheme in bid to cut waste January 24, 2019 Supermarket giants Tesco and Carrefour are set to trial a refillable container scheme in a bid to cut waste created by excess packaging and single-use containers. The French and British retailers have teamed up with a coalition of major consumer product companies to pilot a new service to provide online shoppers with refillable containers. Read [...]
British competition watchdog raises ‘serious concerns’ over Viagogo order January 24, 2019 Britain’s competition watchdog has said today it has “serious concerns” that Viagogo has not complied with a court order that forced the controversial ticket reseller to “overhaul” the way it does business. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) added that it “expects them to make any necessary changes without delay”, with Viagogo ordered to make immediate [...]
Real estate merger to form biggest ever UK healthcare property investor January 24, 2019 Real estate group Primary Health Properties (PHP) has agreed a £1bn merger deal with MedicX in a move that is set to create the UK’s largest ever UK healthcare property investor. In an effort to scale up its role within the healthcare asset market, FTSE 250 primary care specialist PHP has signed an all-share merger with [...]
Fevertree sales fizz as tonic maker cheers bumper summer January 24, 2019 FeverTree’s share price jumped more than eight per cent in early morning trading, after the tonic maker said it was forecasting a sharp uptick in revenues following strong consumer appetite in the UK. Prolonged summer weather and festive demand drove up sales last year, according to the group, which said today that it expected revenue [...]
Like-for-like sales slip at The Restaurant Group despite Wagamama boost after ‘pivotal year’ January 24, 2019 Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) posted a dip in like-for-like sales during 2018, but said that it has been seeing positive growth since the World Cup as its pubs continued to outperform the sector. The group also remained upbeat on its recent £500m acquisition of Wagamama, saying that the noodle chain "continued to trade well over [...]
English gin makers toast boom in sales as spirits reach record high January 24, 2019 Surging demand for gin has led to a boom in England’s alcohol industry, which registered more distilleries than Scotland last year for the first time ever. Figures in the alcohol industry are hailing a “ginaissance” with sales of the juniper-flavoured spirit in the UK hitting an all-time high in 2018, as London gin bars and [...]