John Lewis hires Google Cloud to supercharge digital revamp in £100m deal August 9, 2023 John Lewis is trying to get back on its feet by partnering with Google to drive its digital revamp, and shift away from high-street reliance. Valued at £100m, the partnership aims to improve the efficiency of John Lewis and Waitrose employees, enabling them to provide a better customer experience. Struggling high street favourite John Lewis [...]
Coca-Cola bottling firm raises outlook on revenue spike as Russia volumes tank August 9, 2023 Coca-Cola HBC AG, the bottling company of the soft drink giant, reported a 19.3 per cent rise in revenues in its half year results as the group raised its outlook for the year. Operating profit for the bottler rose 15.9 per cent to €170m (£146m) as the group said it benefited from price increases in [...]
Shapps warns fuel retailers he will ‘call out any foot-dragging’ on price transparency August 8, 2023 Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has warned fuel retailers he will “call out any foot-dragging” over the sharing of pump price data. He made the comment as drivers were hit by the largest weekly rise in petrol prices for more than a year. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is planning to launch an interim voluntary [...]
Beyond Meat: Pricey vegan alternative’s revenue falls 30 per cent as forecast slashed August 8, 2023 Beyond Meat slashed its annual forecast for the year as its revenues plummeted 30 per cent in the second quarter due to customers becoming more reluctant to buy into pricey fake meat alternatives amid the cost of living crisis. The US company, which supplies its vegan plant based burger patties to the likes of McDonald’s, [...]
Wilko: Gordon Brothers mull rescue deal for troubled retailer as 12,000 jobs on the line August 8, 2023 Troubled retailer Wilko could reportedly be rescued by global advisory and investment firm Gordon Brothers, which has a history of saving struggling brands. Last week the family owned business made notice of its intention to appoint administrators, after it spent the summer hunting for a rescue deal. Wilko, which has 400 sites across the UK, [...]
H&T: Pawnbroker to expand high street and online presence as profits soar 31 per cent August 8, 2023 H&T, Britain’s largest pawnbroker reported a 31 per cent rise in profit before tax to £8.8m – with the pawnbroker looking to cash in on desperate times by expanding its presence. Its pledge book, which includes short-term loans linked to customers’ belongings, grew 14 per cent in the six months ending 30 June, reaching £114.6m [...]
Holiday Inn owner IHG reports revenues up almost a quarter as full recovery expected by 2025 August 8, 2023 Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) reported a 23 per cent rise in revenues during its half year results, as the chain was bolstered by a “healthy” demand for travel. The British hotel group also said operating profit rose 27 per cent to $479m (£375m) up from $377m (£295m) in the same period last [...]
Taylor Swift helps Brits shake it off with entertainment spree but it’s a cruel summer for retailers August 8, 2023 Taylor Swift tickets, which went on sale in July, have powered a double-digit increase in entertainment spending so far this summer
Retail investors poised to spend near £100m on Oxford Street this year August 7, 2023 Retail investment in central London is expected to exceed £1bn this year, with up to a tenth of that set to be spent on Oxford Street, raising fresh hope for the future of the London shopping destination. Some £810m was splurged on retail investments across London in the first half of the year, new figures [...]
None for the road: Takeaway pints banned as Home Office ends pub pandemic scheme August 7, 2023 Bad news for punters who enjoy a cold pint on the go as the government has decided to put an end to the Covid-19 scheme which allowed pubs to sell takeaway pints. Pubs were allowed to sell alcoholic drinks in plastic cups to customers on the street in 2020, when businesses could not trade normally [...]
