Business

A prominent US investor is among the parties being courted by Superdry’s founder as he assembles an offer to take the struggling fashion chain private. Sky News has learnt that Davidson Kempner, which has backed a number of UK retailers, is in discussions with Julian Dunkerton about backing an offer for Superdry. The talks are

A crackdown on so-called fire and rehire tactics by employers has been criticised as “tinkering around the edges” by the leader of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Its general secretary spoke up as the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) confirmed the creation of a new statutory code covering the practice, also known as dismiss

A leading shareholder in Currys is demanding that its board slaps an £800m price tag on the electrical goods retailer amid takeover interest from a former backer of Comet, its defunct rival. Sky News has been told by one of the company’s largest investors that they believe Currys’ board should hold out for at least

Elliott Advisors, the owner of Waterstones, is plotting a £700m takeover of Currys, the London-listed electrical goods retailer. Sky News has learnt that Elliott, best-known for its activist sieges against the boards of some of the world’s largest companies, is working on a bid for one of Britain’s best-known high street names. This weekend, it

It’s a frosty morning on Kidsley Farm in Derbyshire, a rare thing in this unusually warm winter. Andrew Dakin’s beef herd is housed in the old brick barns, their breath steaming in the chill air. Alongside scuttling chickens and tractors of varying vintages, this is the very image of a traditional farmyard. But for how

Energy bills are projected to fall by an average of 15% – equivalent to £293 in annual savings – as a mild winter meant high gas storage levels. A closely watched forecast by Cornwall Insight indicates energy bills from April to June will drop to £1,635 a year for the typical user. By comparison, average

Retail sales have grown significantly – far exceeding expectations – as consumer spending bounced back in January. The 3.4% increase in retail sales is more than double the 1.5% rise forecast by analysts – and suggests the economy is recovering. On Thursday, the UK officially entered recession after two consecutive three-month periods of contraction –

Last year was a tumultuous one for NatWest Group. The lender was engulfed in a damaging row over ‘debanking’, during which it lost its highly regarded former chief executive Dame Alison Rose. NatWest confirmed this morning – as reported earlier this week by Sky’s Mark Kleinman – that Paul Thwaite, the bank’s former commercial banking

The owner of British Gas has reported a big jump in profits – as its boss called for a “social tariff” that would help poorer Britons pay less for their gas and electricity. The retail wing of parent company Centrica, which is mostly made up of British Gas, said profits soared to £799m in 2023,

Campaigners are urging the government to double maternity pay amid fears mothers are making “drastic” choices because they cannot afford to live on the current statutory weekly amount. The amount should be increased to £364.70, according to trade union Unison and charity Maternity Action. Both organisations say they are concerned some women are going back

Takeaway delivery strikes will be held every Friday and on holidays if demands are not met, an organiser has said ahead of the Valentine’s Day stoppage. A group calling itself Delivery Jobs UK says up to 4,000 delivery riders could strike between 5pm and 10pm on Wednesday night as there are four full WhatsApp groups,

The rate of inflation has remained at 4%, despite forecasters predicting a rise, official figures show. The consumer price index measure of inflation stood at 4% in January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Money latest: Inflation rate holds – as surprise US data leads to market sell-off It’s the same as in December

The Body Shop was an innovative, fiercely ethical and thriving part of the British high street for almost five decades. To enter a store was an assault on the senses from colour to exotic names and fragrances. We had never seen the like before. Though confirmation on Tuesday that the UK arm had been placed

Bitcoin has returned to the $50,000 level for the first time since December 2021, riding on the coat tails of a wider rally for US stocks. The world’s largest cryptocurrency, which hit one-month highs last Friday, maintained its momentum on Monday by rising almost 5%. Rivals, such as ether, saw similar percentage moves. Analysts credited

A former chief economist at the Bank of England has expressed disappointment at Labour’s decision to axe its £28bn green investment pledge. Andy Haldane, who is now the managing director of the Royal Society of Arts, told Sky’s Sophy Ridge that the original promise “led the world” in its ambition, and would have benefitted the

The UK arm of The Body Shop has entered administration, threatening jobs and stores. As first reported by Sky News, FRP Advisory has been brought in to handle an insolvency process just weeks since the new owners took control of the cosmetics retailer. The Body Shop has roughly 200 outlets across the UK. Inflation to

Bosses of water companies responsible for illegal sewage spills are to face a ban on their substantial bonuses after years of campaigns and public outrage.   Environment Secretary Steve Barclay announced payouts would be blocked to chiefs who oversee the polluting of rivers, lakes, and seas – starting with bonuses in the financial year starting

NatWest Group is preparing to pay out about £350m in staff bonuses as the government draws up plans for a retail share offer that could drastically reduce the state’s remaining stake in the bailed-out lender. Sky News has learnt that NatWest is finalising proposals for the bonus pot ahead of annual results this week that

Adnams, one of the most historic names in British brewing, has drafted in City advisers to raise new funding amid a deluge of insolvencies across the sector. Sky News has learnt that Adnams is working with Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) on a range of options to shore up its finances. People close to the situation

The new owners of The Body Shop are lining up administrators for its British arm just weeks after taking control of the cosmetics retailer, in a move which could threaten significant numbers of shops and jobs. Sky News has learnt that the company founded by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon nearly half a century