Confident consumers made the most of their rising spending power in April, as the latest monthly data from Barclaycard reveals that consumer spending climbed 4.5 per cent last month. This is the biggest uplift in terms of real growth (adjusted for inflation) recorded since Barclaycard began regular analysis back in October 2011. Discretionary spending also grew at the … [Read more...]
Greene King confident of satisfying CMA on Spirit acquisition
Greene King has reported that it notes today's decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to refer the recommended offer for Spirit (the "Acquisition") for a phase 2 investigation unless Greene King offers acceptable undertakings to address competition concerns identified by the CMA. It is understood from the CMA that their concerns affect only 16 local areas … [Read more...]
When imitation is not flattering: Wetherspoon threatens legal action
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has threatened to take legal action against a number of competitors which it says are promoting ‘meal deals’ which infringe trademarks that have been created by Wetherspoon itself. The company says the infringements have occurred in a number of pubs owned by Stonegate, Greene King, Whitbread and Mitchells & Butler. Examples include … [Read more...]
General Election – reactions
It’s much too soon to see if there will be new policies that affect the hospitality industry, and we expect details of the ministerial appointments today. However, the Conservative victory seems to have been greeted with some relief, as well as hope for positive action on business rates (in particular). Time will tell... Start by cutting tourism VAT to 5% Ufi Ibrahim, … [Read more...]
Election 2015: Common Sense Prevails – A Personal View
It was a huge sense of relief, not euphoria, I felt upon wakening to the news last Friday morning that the country had the good sense to return a Conservative government, and with a working majority. Gone, thankfully, are the overplayed, hackneyed assertions from the pundits, pollsters and media speculators that we would be faced with protracted negotiations this week between … [Read more...]