Human case of bird flu in UK: WHO notified about extremely rare case of bird to human transmission of avian flu January 6, 2022 The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a case of avian influenza in a person in the South West of England. Bird to human transmission of avian flu is extremely rare and has only occurred a small number of times in the UK previously. The person acquired the infection from very close, regular contact [...]
Combination of Covid, Brexit and transition towards net-zero economy to end decades of declining ‘job churn’ in UK January 6, 2022 Decades of declining “job churn”, which has meant fewer risks and opportunities for workers, is likely to be upended in the decade ahead as the combination of Covid-19, Brexit and the transition towards a net-zero economy brings about major changes in the UK economy, according to a new report. In fact, the view that robots [...]
Booster jabs to be made entry requirement for large venues January 6, 2022 Booster jabs may be made a condition of entry for large venues and for quarantine free international travel, it has been reported. Ministers have discussed plans to make a third Covid vaccine dose a requirement for Covid certification, according to The Times newspaper. It comes as almost 200,000 more Covid cases were reported in the [...]
B&M revenue up on pre-Covid levels as retailer plots more UK stores January 6, 2022 Discount variety goods retailer B&M has posted boosted revenue compared to pre-Covid levels and hiked its earning expectations. The firm said revenue was up 14 per cent compared to pre-pandemic third quarter comparatives, for the 13 weeks from 26 September 2021 to 25 December 2021. In a trading update for the third quarter posted on [...]
New CEO for Greggs as sales slow at its 2,181 stores with inflation and supply chain issues hitting the sector hard January 6, 2022 Greggs has revealed sales continue to rise at its 2,181 stores although bosses said more recent Covid restrictions led to sales growth easing in December. The company also said rising inflation and supply chain issues facing the sector continue to hit but added it enjoyed strong sales of Christmas products, including 6.7m mince pies. Separately, [...]
Sales growth at furniture firm Made hit by Covid-related factory closures in Vietnam January 6, 2022 Furniture retailer Made has said its sales growth was hit after its Vietnamese factories were forced to close during Covid restrictions earlier this year. The online retailer said disruptions resulted in 20 per cent of its most popular furniture ranges being unavailable during its peak autumn trading period. Its key factories have now all opened [...]
Next lifts profit forecast to £822m as shareholders await New Year payday January 6, 2022 Next has told shareholders to expect a special dividend at the end of the month, after lifting its profit guidance for the full year. The high street retailer has raised in profit before tax guidance by £22m, to £822m – up nearly 10 per cent in comparison with pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, investors eye a £205m [...]
Pub bosses implore January teetotallers to not avoid local after dry Christmas January 5, 2022 Hospitality leaders have called on customers to keep visiting the pub this month, after venues lost out on sales this Christmas. Pubs, particularly in city hotspots, faced waves of cancellations this Christmas while office workers were also instructed to work from home under Plan B Covid measures. Now, bosses have urged customers to keep supporting [...]
Pepco CEO to step down this year due to health reasons January 5, 2022 Poundland owner Pepco has announced its chief executive officer Andy Bond will step down later this year due to health reasons. Pepco Group, which owns discount retailer brands including PEPCO, Poundland and Dealz, said Bond will step down at the end of March. He is expected to stay on the board as an advisor until [...]
Boost for Global Britain as UK exporters enjoy £620m surge in post-Brexit trade with South Korea January 5, 2022 A “huge” demand for British products and services in South Korea is boosting UK companies exports to the east Asian country, according to the government. International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said that British firms saw a £620m surge in exports to South Korea last year, a jump of nine per cent. Trade between the UK [...]
