Asos swings to loss as fashion giant warns shoppers may cut back on purchases April 12, 2022 Online fashion giant Asos has said it was hammered by reduced stock availability as it posted a £15.8m pre-tax loss for the six months to the end of February. The company cited “industry-wide supply chain constraints impacting stock availability and ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.” In half year results on Tuesday, the retailer posted four per cent [...]
Retail sales slow as consumer confidence now lower than horsemeat scandal April 12, 2022 Retail sales slowed last month as consumer confidence has taken a hit as shoppers feel the bite of rising cost inflation. According to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG, sales increased by 3.1 per cent in March. This was worse than a three-month average growth of 6.9 per cent. What’s more, retail [...]
Tortilla boss: ‘No intention’ of further price rises for customers as burrito chain eyes more dark kitchens April 11, 2022 Burrito chain Tortilla is eyeing dark kitchens in suburbia as a means to test locations before opening physical restaurants. Richard Morris, chief executive of the on-the-go operator, told CityA.M. that Tortilla viewed delivery as a “key part of our future.” “We realised that in London there are opportunities to further saturate the city with Tortilla [...]
M&S cut prices on a range of items as shoppers face cost of living crunch April 11, 2022 Marks & Spencer has slashed prices on some core grocery items as it hopes to woo shoppers amid rising costs. Supermarkets are endeavouring to maintain their market shares while shoppers have flocked to discount retailers to mitigate the cost of living crunch in recent weeks. M&S revealed on Monday that it had lowered prices on [...]
Mothercare delays pension deficit payments after disruption of Russian operations April 11, 2022 Mothercare said it would be posting a higher than expected profit on Monday. In a pre-close trading update, the baby-clothes seller said it expected that EBITDA before adjusting items would be in the range of £11.5m to £12m for the year to 26 March. The retailer’s share price fell by a dramatic seven per cent [...]
Warehouse boom amid online shopping frenzy as construction bill hits highest level since 1985 April 11, 2022 The UK is in the throes of a warehouse boom after roaring demand for e-commerce businesses was accelerated during the pandemic. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Monday that the UK’s transport, logistics and warehousing sector has almost doubled since 2011. This makes it the country’s fastest-growing sector, outpacing information and communication. Logistics [...]
Heal’s sales hit record levels as furniture firm’s online offer grows April 11, 2022 Furniture firm Heal’s sales hit record levels last year, surpassing £50m for the first time in its two-century history. The company said yesterday gross sales jumped 27 per cent against the previous year, as its online division gathered steam. Although its six bricks-and-mortar stores were shuttered for months on end due to Covid lockdowns, the [...]
Whitbread boss gives up £729k bonus after Premier Inn owner faces furlough criticism April 11, 2022 The outgoing chief of Premier Inn has relinquished a £729,000 bonus after a row over furlough cash. The Times reported that Whitbread’s chief executive Alison Brittain gave up the deferred bonus after the FTSE 100 firm was criticised for taking £370m in furlough cash and rates relief which it has not repaid. Brittain, the chief [...]
Pret A Manger plots dozens of new sandwich shops in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland debut April 11, 2022 Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has announced plans to open up stores in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for the first time. The new openings follow an agreement of terms being reached with franchise partner Carebrook Partnership Ltd. Some 20 Pret shops will be opened across the island, creating some 500 jobs, the [...]
Walgreens faces losing billions on Boots sale as former suitors CVC and Bain suggest lower price tag April 11, 2022 The US pharmacy giant behind Boots could lose out on billions after the chemist was valued much lower than initially hoped. Walgreens has been eyeing a £7bn sale of the UK company, however a consortium involving private equity firms CVC and Bain withdrew from takeover talks in March. According to The Telegraph, the two former [...]
