Vehicle manufacturing in the UK has gone from strength to strength in recent years as increasing numbers of international car companies have channelled investment into the country. One of the largest investors this year, Japanese manufacturer Toyota, is now beginning to see a return on the money it has used to improve its UK facilities... Read More
With Hong Kong introducing a clampdown on speculation on the residential market, investors are turning their attention toward commercial property and the influx of money into the region is driving fears that conditions will fuel a property bubble. Retail and office space yields are currently at record lows and tenants are... Read More
This year, many airlines have struggled to post significant profits. However, budget airlines such as Ryanair have thrived, even throughout the most difficult times in the past four years, enabling the Irish company to boost its profits by 10 per cent in the first half of this financial year. Three large contributory factors are the... Read More
While the recession may be over, Britain is still a long way from full economic recovery. Many consumers are struggling to find the balance between saving and spending, especially as new figures have revealed that almost one in five workers in the UK do not earn enough per hour to maintain a satisfactory standard of living – a fact that... Read More
Staycations have grown massively in popularity as a result of the global financial situation. The Eurozone crisis has put many Brits off visiting countries such as Spain and France, while tight household budgets has meant that not everyone can afford to travel further afield in search of the elusive summer sunshine. This, of course,... Read More
Throughout 2012 IKEA has invested £30 million in improving its store and online customer experience. It was a costly strategy, but it seems to be paying off for the retailer as sales are up. What did IKEA spend £30 million on? The main aim of the investment was to improve the experience its customers have both online and offline.... Read More
During the recession, British consumers drastically cut back on purchases of expensive luxury items, instead concentrating on acquiring essentials until the economy showed signs of stabilising. This has had a huge impact on the retail sector, with certain companies in the electronics industry now struggling to keep their heads above water –... Read More
The collapse of Comet on Friday provides a stark reminder that, despite an improving economic outlook, the climate remains frosty for retailers. This year has seen a crop of leading high street names entering administration. These include JJB Sports, Clinton Cards, Blacks Leisure, Game and Peacocks. This has left suppliers unpaid,... Read More
Christmas can be a stressful time of year, especially for parents presented with an extensive list of must-have goodies. In order to make the mammoth task of buying the ideal Christmas present for your child a little easier, the Toy Retailers Association have compiled a list of the expected best sellers this year, thus giving anxious parents... Read More
The commercial property market in the UK is not immune to the events that are shaping the economy as a whole. Although the euro zone crisis is an ongoing source of concern for many investors and the domestic economy remains weak, there is still an underlying air of confidence and groups remain committed to investing in this... Read More
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the sovereign wealth fund, has purchased a 10 per cent stake in Heathrow Airport Holdings. The firm which controls the UK’s largest commercial airport also owns other nationwide airports such as Glasgow, Stansted and Southampton – thus controlling a large proportion of flights in and out of the... Read More
Westminster Council is considering a curb on the conversion of office space to residential use in a bid to protect central London SMEs. The council is reviewing its policy to maintain a balance of uses and to ensure that the district’s small scale office stock is not further diminished. There has been a huge surge in applications... Read More
Late October and early November can be incredibly busy times for retail and leisure businesses. The run up to Christmas encourages consumers to flood into shops as presents and food items are purchased, while Halloween and Bonfire Night provide a boost for third quarter revenues. Tonight the skies will be illuminated by brilliant... Read More
Internet shopping has become one of the most profitable sectors of retail in recent years, with online businesses such as Amazon and eBay continually posting rising profits and expanding consumer bases. Even traditional companies, such as Tesco and Argos, have spent increasing amounts on the online side of their businesses as more and more... Read More
The good news for the UK is that recently-released GDP figures indicate the country has officially pulled out of the recession. However, the results of a study of the commercial construction sector indicate that challenging times lie ahead. The Castles in the Air report, prepared by the UK's largest commercial insurer RSA, suggests... Read More
The end of one of the longest recessions in living memory should surely be something to celebrate – disposable income is expected to rise while inflation drops, businesses can finally begin investing again and the mass closing of retail outlets should hopefully slow significantly in the coming months. More importantly, workers can relax... Read More
As Superstorm Sandy swept along the US East Coast on Monday, US retailers were forced to close the shutters on 10 per cent of their stores, according to latest figures. As shops begin to reopen forecasters are now assessing the long-term impact of the storm on footwear and clothing sales. The New York Stock Exchange reopened for... Read More
The government has been warned that the proposal to postpone the business rates revaluation until 2017 is the “retail equivalent of the poll tax.” In a heated parliamentary debate MPs also questioned whether the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was “fit for purpose.” The Department for Communities and Local Government... Read More
Tony Blair has agreed to pay interns working in his office, following pressure from careers website Graduate Fog. The former prime minister also faced the threat of a possible investigation by HMRC which enforces the minimum wage. The news comes only a week after it was revealed that Mr Blair was using unpaid volunteers in his office... Read More
London Mayor, Boris Johnson has approved plans to turn what once was a popular dog racing track, into a housing and leisure complex. But the approval hasn’t gone down too well with local MP’s and campaigners alike. Walthamstow greyhound track closed its traps for the final time on 16th August 2008 after 75 years of trading. The... Read More
Debenhams has announced plans to expand aggressively through stores and online retailing, amid signs that consumer confidence is improving. Chief executive of Debenhams, Michael Sharp, said he saw the opportunity for 70 more Debenhams stores in the UK, on top of its 154 strong estate, with the possibility to add £1bn of sales. The... Read More
Comet has confirmed that is will be put into administration next week after no buyers were found to save the electrical chain. This week has been tough for the retailer as Deloitte, the appointed administrators, tried in vain to find a buyer for the 240 store business, but it was to no avail. This is one of the worst casualties of the... Read More
