Devolved nations add to mounting calls for fresh business support from Westminster amid Omicron surge December 14, 2021 Scotland’s first minister has added to calls mounting on Westminster for a fresh tranche of financial support for businesses. Nicola Sturgeon said a lack of new support from the UK government meant “there is no money to compensate” businesses in the wake of further Covid restrictions. This was “not acceptable,” Sturgeon said, echoing calls from [...]
Food and farming bosses warn businesses ‘still in meltdown’ amid labour crunch December 14, 2021 Chaos in the supply chain must be resolved to ensure food security in the UK, industry bodies have warned. The farming and producing sectors have been battered in recent months by labour shortages, including abattoir workers and HGV drivers. The industry has also struggled with inflation pushing up costs of energy, feed and fertiliser. The [...]
Labour shortages trigger ‘below expectations’ Black Friday for lifestyle retailer Joules December 14, 2021 Labour shortages led to a Black Friday performance below expectations, according to lifestyle group Joules. Global supply chain challenges led to “some higher costs and stock delays,” while labour shortages in a third-party operated distribution centre caused “extended” delivery times. “These factors were particularly acute in November, including the Black Friday period, which alongside weaker [...]
Ocado anticipates ‘best-ever Christmas’ as it eyes new Zoom site openings December 14, 2021 Ocado has forecast its “best-ever Christmas ahead” and said it anticipated mid-teens sales growth for 2022. In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 November, the grocer said there was “strong momentum in under-lying demand”. It posted retail revenue of £547.8m for the quarter. This was compared to £570.1m in the same period [...]
Bill’s closes 14 restaurants after pandemic pressure December 13, 2021 Restaurant chain Bill’s has shut 14 loss-making venues in its financial year after the pandemic hammered sales. In accounts filed to Companies House, the firm stated it made a £62m turnover for the 53 weeks to 3 January 2021. This was down on the £127m for the 52 weeks to 29 December 2019. The restaurant [...]
London’s shopping destinations seeing ‘first sign’ of hit from plan B measures December 13, 2021 Retail destinations have started to see the impact of the government’s latest Covid messaging, after a drop in central London footfall last week. Footfall fell three per cent in central London shopping destinations and 5.3 per cent in the capital’s office hubs last week. Last week, the Prime Minister outlined fresh measures to tackle the [...]
Amazon to sell PCR Covid-19 tests for Brits travelling December 13, 2021 Amazon will sell Covid PCR test kits to travellers as the giant online retailer moves in on the Covid-19 market. The online retailer will sell government-approved tests for £34.99 each and offer discounts for those bought in bulk, the Guardian reported today. Travellers coming into the UK will be able to use the tests sold [...]
JD Wetherspoon boss: Country headed for ‘lockdown by stealth’ with Omicron measures December 13, 2021 JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has said the country seems to be heading towards a “lockdown by stealth” and warned of a potential hit to profits. The pub company warned its first half results may be impacted by an uncertain market, with consumers put off from pub trips after headlines about the Omicron Covid variants [...]
West End ‘extremely concerned about long-term survival’ as new guidance comes into force December 13, 2021 Central London retailers are hopeful eager Christmas shoppers will offset the absence of office workers in the capital this month while warning businesses are running out of cash. New West End Company, which represents 600 brands, restaurants and businesses in the West End, said footfall for the week of 6 December was up three per [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct and House of Fraser empire kicks off £70m share buyback plan December 13, 2021 Retail baron Miek Ashley has announced the start of a £70m share buyback plan for Frasers in an attempt to boost the company’s share price. Bosses at the group, which includes department store House of Fraser and retail chains Sports Direct and Game, said the plan is to reduce the number of shares in circulation. [...]
