WH Smith, the historic British retailer, is exploring the sale of its high street business, which includes over 500 UK stores, as it shifts focus towards its more profitable global travel retail operations. This move reflects the challenges faced by traditional retail in a digital age.
NatWest is set to close 53 branches across the UK by mid-2025, citing a significant shift towards digital banking and a decline in in-person transactions. The closures have raised concerns about financial exclusion, especially for older and vulnerable customers.
Diageo is reportedly considering the sale or spin-off of its Guinness brand, valued at over £8 billion, as part of a portfolio review under CEO Debra Crew. The company is also evaluating its stake in LVMH’s Moët Hennessy division. Guinness has seen strong sales growth, especially among younger consumers, despite Diageo's broader struggles.
NatWest is set to close 53 branches across the UK in 2025, reflecting a shift towards digital banking. The closures will affect various locations, with the bank investing in digital solutions and shared banking hubs to support customers.
NatWest is set to close 53 branches across the UK between April and June 2025, continuing its adaptation to the increasing preference for digital banking. This move is part of a broader trend in the banking sector, with over 6,000 branches closed since 2015. The bank is investing in digital infrastructure and exploring alternative solutions to ensure customer access to essential services.
The UK Ministry of Defence has entered into a historic £9 billion agreement with Rolls-Royce to design, manufacture, and support nuclear reactors for the UK’s submarine fleet, enhancing national security and creating thousands of jobs.
Morrisons is set to cut over 200 jobs as part of a cost-saving initiative, affecting roles in customer experience, employee engagement, recruitment, and payroll. This move reflects the broader economic challenges faced by UK supermarkets.
On Thursday, 23 January 2025, Three UK experienced a significant network outage affecting thousands of customers, including users of Smarty and iD Mobile. The issue, starting around 1pm, disrupted phone calls and, in some cases, access to emergency services. Despite initial reports that data services and 999 calls were unaffected, customer complaints prompted an investigation. The outage tracker Downdetector recorded over 10,000 reports, with social media flooded with frustrations over missed appointments and stranded individuals. Three UK apologized and restored services overnight but warned of potential further disruptions due to Storm Éowyn. Ofcom is in contact with Three to assess the situation, and while compensation eligibility remains unclear, guidelines suggest refunds may be appropriate. This incident follows regulatory approval for Three's £16.5bn merger with Vodafone, expected to complete in 2025. Three has deployed additional engineering resources to mitigate further disruptions and advises customers to restart devices or toggle airplane mode to restore service.
Nissan is facing a severe financial crisis, with reports suggesting the company may collapse within 12 to 14 months without new investment. The Japanese car manufacturer, battling declining sales in key markets like China and the US, is taking drastic measures including job cuts and reducing manufacturing capacity. Amid leadership changes and increased competition in the electric vehicle sector, the potential for a strategic partnership with Honda is explored as a possible solution to its woes.
Morrisons, the popular UK supermarket chain, is experiencing notable food shortages due to a cyber attack on its supply chain management provider, Blue Yonder. This incident has primarily affected the supply of fresh produce, leading to customer frustration as grocery aisles remain barren. While ambient and frozen products are spared, thanks to backup systems, the supermarket faces challenges in managing stock levels effectively. Shoppers have taken to social media to voice their concerns, highlighting the impact on their shopping experiences and questioning the lack of communication from Morrisons regarding the issue. The supermarket is striving to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.