Morrisons sales surge as customer loyalty pays off January 29, 2025 Eating into the market share of its rivals and growing its loyalty card scheme helped sales surge at supermarket giant Morrisons during its latest financial year. The Yorkshire-headquartered chain has reported a revenue of £15.2bn for the 12 months to 27 October, 2024, up from £14.7bn. Its group like-for-like sales also increased from 1.8 per [...]
Breakfast and brunch fuel sales surge at pub giant Butcombe January 29, 2025 A surge in customers ordering breakfast and brunch has helped sales surge at pub and brewing group Butcombe. The North Somerset-headquartered group has reported an increase in its total managed like-for-like sales of 7.8 per cent for the year to 25 January, 2025. Its food category jumped by 12 per cent while both accommodation and [...]
Orbex: Rocket-maker secures £20m investment from UK government ahead of take off January 29, 2025 The UK government has invested £20m in rocket-maker Orbex as it prepares to build and launch from its site in the Shetland Islands. The injection of funding is expected to help back Orbex’s Prime, the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket. Prime is scheduled to take off towards the end of this year at the [...]
Ovo Energy buys brand from billionaire founder in £150m deal January 28, 2025 Ovo Energy has bought its brand from the company’s billionaire founder in a £150m deal. The Bristol-based firm, which is the country’s fourth-biggest household energy supplier, has made the move as part of a wider reorganisation. It was reported last Summer that Ovo Energy was close to hiring bankers to explore fundraising options which could [...]
DeepSeek: US AI tech giants face ‘Sputnik moment’ which could start new race January 28, 2025 The rapid rise of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has been described as the US tech sector’s ‘Sputnik moment’ which “may well kickstart a new, even more energetic race”. US tech stocks took a battering yesterday after gaining global attention over its seemingly cheaper AI model which sparked a sell off in shares for its competitors. The sudden [...]
Trainline on track for European expansion as state-backed rival nears January 28, 2025 The boss of Trainline has outlined his European expansion plans as the online ticket giant faces government-backed competition at home.
Harland & Wolff: Over 1,000 jobs saved at Titanic builder after £70m rescue deal completes January 28, 2025 A deal to save troubled shipbuilder Harland & Wolff, which crashed into administration owing more than £160m last year, has been completed. The acquisition, first announced in December 2024, will save over 1,000 jobs. Spain-headquartered Navantia has acquired the business and assets of Harland & Wolff Group, which include all four operating yards in Belfast, Appledore, Methil [...]
Jollyes: Pets at Home rival to lower 3,000 prices and open new stores January 28, 2025 Pet superstore chain Jollyes has revealed plans to lower thousands of prices and open new stores across the UK. The retailer, which is a major rival to Pets at Home, has also announced a range of new benefits for its employees in a bid to attract new talent. The news comes almost a year after [...]
Amazon reveals which UK location will get Prime Air drone deliveries first January 28, 2025 Amazon has revealed where in the UK it intends to start launching Prime Air drone deliveries. The US tech giant has chosen Darlington as the first site and will now set about lodging planning applications with the local authority. Amazon added that it is also seeking clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the [...]
BAE Systems wins £285m Royal Navy deal as shares continue recovery January 28, 2025 Defence giant BAE Systems has won a Royal Navy contract worth almost £300m which will support more than 200 UK jobs. The London-listed group has been hired to maintain and modernise combat management systems (CMS) on Royal Navy vessels. They include Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and Type 26 [...]