Online shopping frenzy to drive Royal Mail parcel volumes beyond pre-Covid levels July 21, 2021 Royal Mail has seen early signs that domestic parcel volumes are re-basing at a higher level than pre-pandemic as consumers continue to be gripped by an online shopping frenzy. Domestic parcel volumes have swelled by more than a third in comparison with pre-Covid levels, in the three months to June 2021. But compared with levels [...]
Next ups full-year forecasts as heatwave spurs Brits to summer shop July 21, 2021 British retailer Next is upping its full-year financial forecasts as consumers have flocked to stores in recent weeks to get their hands on clothing fit for the UK’s heatwave. The rosy outlook stoked confidence in investors as its shares rocketed in its early trading and held up highs of 8.2 per cent in the afternoon, [...]
Vimto popularity helps producer Nichols triple half-year profits July 21, 2021 Sales of the drink Vimto, which is popular in the UK, the Middle East and Africa, grew by more than 42 per cent, Nichols said today. In fact, the popularity of Vimto helped its producer nearly triple its half-year profits in the first six months of 2021. In Africa, Vimto sales grew by close to [...]
Summer DIY builds up Wickes sales above pre-pandemic levels July 21, 2021 Supply store Wickes has seen like-for-like growth lift more than 22 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, as the UK’s warm weather pushes DIY’s lockdown momentum to continue. The Watford-headquartered retailer said that its sales lift in the 26 weeks to 26 June was driven by DIY and local trade. Physicals sales were up 33.1 per [...]
‘I told staff to delete the app’: Hospitality reacts to pingdemic crisis July 20, 2021 While the government was hailing the arrival of so-called “freedom day” yesterday, the threat of rising Covid cases and the “pingdemic” forcing staff to self isolate has left the beleaguered hospitality industry with little to celebrate. One restaurateur told City A.M: “Our ability to operate hangs in the balance by some fairly crude geolocation tech”, [...]
Canada’s Al Fresco dining is here to stay for one more year July 20, 2021 Canada Corporation has agreed to ease the weight on the hospitality industry by offering free pavement licences for one more year. Amid table number and household restrictions, the UK’s hospitality sector has been making use of pavements for extra Al Fresco seating. “We expect the buzz of the City will swiftly return [...]
Fizzy mixer brand Fever-Tree sees European revenues surge as holiday spots bolster stocks July 20, 2021 Fever-Tree has seen its European revenues surge outside of the UK as hospitality destinations bolstered stock in anticipation of summer holiday goers. However, ongoing travel confusion and ‘Freedom Day’ fears may have knocked investors faith – as it saw its shares plummet 7.10 per cent this afternoon, dragging its total share price to 2,276. The [...]
Covid pastimes: Jigsaws and crafts continue to carry retailer The Works’ sales July 20, 2021 Toys and stationary retailer The Works has continued to have its sales buoyed by consumer lockdown activities in recent weeks, with jigsaws, arts and crafts remaining popular throughout the pandemic. The retailer was hit by severe store closures earlier on in the year but is returning to growth, as sales have lifted 13 per cent [...]
Wholesale group Supreme bets revenues on vaping amid lockdown growth July 20, 2021 Wholesale provider Supreme, the company behind 88Vape, has seen its revenue for the smoking alternative alone lift 36 per cent as lockdown smokers tried to kick the habit. The company’s total preliminary revenue was up 33 per cent at £122.3m in the year to 31 March, up from £92.3m in the year prior. Gross profits [...]
Nightclubs could turn into super spreading events, warns chief scientific adviser July 19, 2021 The Government’s chief scientific adviser has warned that nightclubs could be “potential super spreading events” despite the Government allowing the venues to reopen earlier today. Sir Patrick Vallance said the nightclub environment will allow Covid-19 to spread easier as the Prime Minister laid out plans for venues to require double-vaccination for people to enter from [...]
