Time running out for Morrisons sale as suitors have until Saturday to submit final bids September 29, 2021 Suitors for Morrisons have until Saturday to make final bids for the supermarket as the stock market’s Takeover Panel announced the launch of an auction process this morning. Private equity houses Fortress and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), who have both made non-binding bids, will now take part in an auction which launches on October [...]
Next hikes full-year outlook again after sales surge and profits swell to £347m September 29, 2021 Fashion giant Next has hiked its full-year outlook once more after surging sales, but warned over rising prices and staff shortages in the run-up to Christmas. It said supply chain woes had seen higher freight costs push up prices by about 2 per cent in the first half and cautioned this would continue into next [...]
Brexit-backing Next boss calls for speedy government intervention in staff crisis September 29, 2021 Next, headed by Brexit-backing boss Lord Wolfson, has called on the government to relax immigration rules to ensure its operations run smoothly this Christmas. “It’s a question of availability, we need a system that’s geared up to give more visas,” Wolfson told CityAM. Wolfson hit back at critics who said the country had got what [...]
Hospitality operators pessimistic of any staff shortage resolution September 29, 2021 Restaurant bosses have complained that ministers are actively choosing not to intervene in staff shortage issues with immigration changes and instead are focusing on longer-term training plans. Sector leaders – including Nando’s boss Colin Hill and UK Hospitality CEO Kate Nicholls – will form a new hospitality council, business minister Paul Scully announced today. The [...]
Judge rules in favour of Morrisons workers in £100m fight for equal pay September 28, 2021 Thousands of Morrisons retail staff are making progress with their £100m fight for equal pay following a new ruling at an employment tribunal. The ruling, by judge Davies at Leeds Employment Tribunal, confirmed that Morrisons’ shop floor workers can compare their pay with the supermarket giant’s distribution centre workers. The mostly female staff, both current [...]
London’s Trocadero wins High Court battle against Cineworld over millions in unpaid rent September 28, 2021 London’s Trocadero Centre in Piccadilly Circus has won a high court battle against cinema chains Cineworld and Picturehouse Cinemas over millions of pounds in unpaid rent. The owners of London’s Trocadero Centre brought legal action against the two chains and the original tenant, Gallery Cinemas, over outstanding bills since June 2020. The three firms, which [...]
£222m takeover of Hawthorn pubs by Admiral Taverns faces competition probe September 28, 2021 The UK competition regulator said this afternoon it is leaning towards launching a probe into Admiral Taverns’ £222m takeover of the Hawthorn pub business. Admiral sealed a deal to buy the pub estate, which covers 674 venues across the UK, from the retail property investor NewRiver, in July. The move will strengthen Admiral’s position as [...]
Moonpig expects sales of up to £285m as demand remains strong September 28, 2021 Moonpig has hiked its full-year sales outlook as it said demand for online cards remains strong despite coronavirus restrictions lifting. The group said it expects sales of between around £270m and £285m for the year to April 30 thanks to “strong” trading in the year so far. It had previously forecast sales of between £250m [...]
Pest control-to-cleaning giant Rentokil lifts growth targets amid booming demand September 28, 2021 Pest control-to-cleaning firm Rentokil Initial has upped its growth targets and announced plans to expand its hygiene arm amid booming demand during the pandemic. The group hiked sales and earnings goals, lifting its organic medium-term revenue growth target to between 4 per cent and 5 per cent up from 3 per cent to 4 per [...]
Exclusive: Pivotal months ahead for London’s revival as tourism top dog September 28, 2021 While coastal staycations have been in high demand during the summer months, the capital is poised to bounce back as the go-to destination of choice for many domestic tourists as the nights draw in and the temperature drops. Just 6 per cent of people would opt for a trip to London over a coastal location [...]
