H&M Group takes minority stake in e-commerce firm Centra May 7, 2025 H&M has taken a minority stake in e-commerce firm Centra as it looks to deepen its relationship with the company. The stake, which is less than 10 per cent, values Centra at just over half a billion Swedish kronor, according to Di Digital. H&M will invest SEK 50m (£3.9m) in the company, which supports retail [...]
UK-India trade deal ‘transformational’ for Scotch whisky market May 6, 2025 The newly-announced trade deal between the UK and India has been lauded as “transformational” in opening Scotch up to the world’s largest whiskey market. Under the terms of the deal, the UK’s 150 per cent tariff on Scotch Whisky will be halved to 75 per cent, with the potential for further reductions in the coming [...]
City of London elects new planning and transport committee chair May 6, 2025 The City of London Corporation has appointed Tom Sleigh as chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee, succeeding Shravan Joshi MBE. Joshi has taken on the role of the Committee’s deputy chair uncontested, replacing Graham Packham. Sleigh, who has represented the ward of Bishopsgate since 2013, said it was a “privilege to be elected… at [...]
London prime property sales resilient despite economic headwinds May 6, 2025 London’s prime property market has remained stable year on year despite significant headwinds, according to a major real estate firm. There were 93 sales above £5m in the first three months of the year, on par with the 92 in 2024, Savills found. Overall values also held up, with total values for houses between £10m [...]
City broker backs Kingsmill merger with Hovis May 6, 2025 A “merger of equals” between Kingsmill and Hovis may be necessary for the turnaround of both businesses, a City broker has said. Kingsmill-owner ABF confirmed this morning that it was exploring a merger with Hovis as one of several options for its bakery arm. ABF said the talks had been prompted by a “very challenging” [...]
IWG: Workspace platform reports record March and ups share buybacks May 6, 2025 International Workspace Group (IWG) has reported a flat first quarter and record March as it fended off macroeconomic uncertainty. The company told markets this morning that revenue was stable at $909m (£683m) in the first quarter of the year. IWG, which provides flexible workspaces for businesses and individuals, upped its share buyback programmed from $50m [...]
Kingsmill-owner ABF confirms merger talks with Hovis May 6, 2025 Kingsmill-owner ABF has confirmed it is in talks to merge with Hovis in what would become Britain’s biggest bread maker. ABF said the talks had been prompted by a “very challenging” market for its products. Rising prices of wheat and lower demand for high-calorie goods like bread have made it tougher to make a profit [...]
Battersea Power Station receives green light for next phase of development May 1, 2025 Battersea Power Station has received planning consent for the next phase of its 42-acre regeneration. A new group of residential, retail, community and leisure builds has secured planning approval from Wandsworth Council, completing “London’s newest street”, Electric Boulevard. Head of development at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), James Wixley, called the planning consent the [...]
Food inflation rises to its highest level in almost a year April 29, 2025 Food inflation has risen to its highest level in almost a year as cost pressures begin to weigh on prices. Food inflation increased to 2.6 per cent year on year in April, against growth of 2.4 per cent in March and above the three-month average of 2.4 per cent, according to the British Retail Consortium [...]
Cheaper mortgages to support sales as house price growth slows April 29, 2025 Lower demand and higher supply caused house price growth to slow in March, but analysts expect an improvement in affordability to boost prices in the coming months. House price growth slowed to 1.6 per cent annually in March, down from 1.9 per cent at the end of 2024, according to Zoopla’s latest house price index. [...]
