Philip Green’s Arcadia ‘faces collapse’ in the coming days November 27, 2020 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia, owner of Topshop, could appoint administrators early next week. Sky News reported the move could put 13,000 jobs at risk. The appointment of administrators could happen as early as Monday, although one source close to the story told Sky News the plan had not been finalised and could be [...]
First digital-only Black Friday set for bumper year as Covid-19 moves shoppers online November 27, 2020 England’s first ever digital-only Black Friday will not deter customers, with figures suggesting sales could be as much as 43 per cent higher than in 2019, with customers now familiar with the convenience of shopping online thanks to coronavirus. Figures from IMRG, the UK’s industry association for online retail, found this year’s Black Friday sales [...]
End of an era: Unilever trading in Amsterdam for the last time today November 27, 2020 Unilever’s Dutch shares will trade in Amsterdam for the last time today, before a unification of the group’s dual-headed structure that aims to put the consumer goods maker on a better footing to cope with an uncertain future. The merger over the weekend of Unilever’s Dutch and British corporate arms into one legal entity based [...]
It’s closing time for the nation’s pubs and bars — perhaps for good November 27, 2020 I’ve never considered myself a great fan of pubs. As someone who doesn’t drink beer and who came of age exactly as the golden age of pubs was on the wane (so aficionados tell me, citing the smoking ban as the moment the moment things started going downhill), the appeal has always been limited. But, [...]
Amazon to give frontline staff $500m in bonuses amid safety concerns November 26, 2020 Amazon will give its frontline staff working over the holiday period combined bonuses worth $500m, the firm confirmed today. The bonus comes at the end of a year in which the e-commerce giant has come under intense scrutiny over working practices for employees amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sales at the tech firm have soared this [...]
Pubs in tier two and three still in lockdown ‘in all but name’ November 26, 2020 The chief executive of Greene King has slammed the government’s new Covid tier system as “lockdown in all but name”. Nick Mackenzie said that as a result of the changes to restrictions, 99 per cent of the country’s pubs will be placed in tiers two and three, putting hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. [...]
Marks and Spencer to close on Boxing Day to give staff the day off November 26, 2020 Marks and Spencer has cancelled plans to open all of its stores on Boxing Day, choosing instead to allow staff to spend the day with friends and family. M&S had previously planned to open 200 stores on Boxing Day to take advantage of the Boxing Day sales, but in light of the recent relaxation on [...]
Beers in tiers: The new tier rules to stick to when pubs reopen next week November 26, 2020 Beers in tiers: The new rules to stick to when pubs reopen after the coronavirus lockdown
Restructuring firm loans Mothercare £20m to repay debts November 26, 2020 Gordon Brothers Brands has loaned Mothercare £19.5m to be used to repay outstanding debt. Mothercare lost £4.4m in the six months ending 10 October following a difficult year that saw company plans pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic. Net debt at the business is now £17.5 million, of which the loan from global advisory, restructuring [...]
Coronavirus bar and restaurant closures hit Britvic’s income for the year November 26, 2020 Britvic posted a near 22% slide in adjusted operating income for the year as coronavirus restrictions hurt demand at bars, restaurants, cinemas and other public places. The soft drink company’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell to £165.8m for the 12 months ended September 30, down from £214.1m a year earlier. Britvic’s shares, which [...]