US rivals remain keen, but with profits under pressure, some wonder if the supermarket is really worth a £7bn offerMorrisons’ rollercoaster ride continues this week as the Bradford-based supermarket updates the market, and its suitors, on how business …
UK watchdog vows to help fight rip-off Covid test firms
CMA commits to providing the government with advice and data on the PCR testing marketCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK’s competition watchdog said it is ready to help the government take rapid action against covid test…
Pret to restore staff bonus after workers threaten strike action
But coffee shop chain will no longer pay for break times as sales struggle to recover from the pandemicPret a Manger has rowed back on plans to slash staff bonuses in a partial U-turn on proposed pay cuts after workers threatened strike action.However,…
Luxury watch sales surge as Britons go on spending spree with lockdown savings
Sales at UK’s biggest supplier of Rolex and Omega watches rise 43% on pre-pandemic levelsThe UK’s biggest seller of Rolex and Omega watches said sales had surged as Britons splashed lockdown savings on luxury watches and jewellery, including wedding an…
UK launches £4m fund to run fibre optic cables through water pipes
Project that could bring fibre broadband to remote areas while monitoring pipes for water leaksThe government has launched a £4m fund to back projects trialling running fibre optic broadband cables through water pipes to help connect hard-to-reach home…
Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic plans stock market listing
Move is airline’s attempt to shore up balance sheet after £659m loss due to Covid pandemicThe British airline Virgin Atlantic is considering raising funds on the London Stock Exchange in an attempt to shore up its balance sheet.The listing, which is ex…
Halifax launches mortgage at 0.83% amid flurry of rate cutting
Lender to offer ultra-low rate on two-year fixed deal on loans worth up to 60% of home valueHalifax has fired the latest salvo in the price war between mortgage lenders with the launch of a two-year fixed-rate deal priced at 0.83%.The announcement of t…
A look in the mirror: the existential threat facing beauty halls
Covid pandemic has accelerated shift to online purchases, with big brands buying up startupsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe department store beauty hall is facing a fight for survival: the pandemic has accelerated the sh…
Fortress-led group increases offer for Morrisons to £6.7bn
Majestic Wine owner tries to fend off rival suitor and win over reluctant shareholdersThe US-backed bidder for Morrisons has increased its offer for the supermarket group by £400m to £6.7bn in an attempt to fend off a rival suitor and win over reluctan…
Next retail store workers win first stage of fight for equal pay
If all eligible staff were to join the claim, the potential cost of back pay could be £100mShop workers at Next have won the first stage in a fight for equal pay that could lead to a payout of up to £100m.More than 400 mainly female workers in the fash…