The boss of Unilever, one of the UK’s biggest companies, has said his office workers will never return to their desks five days a week, in the latest indication that coronavirus will transform modern working life. Alan Jope, the chief executive of the
Savers who have lost track of pension and investment funds will have their money used for charitable causes that could aid Covid recovery efforts under government plans to expand its dormant asset scheme beyond bank accounts. The Reclaim Fund was established in
Shares in London have closed at their highest level since late February as investors ignored record Covid-19 deaths and warnings from a veteran City guru that an epic bubble of Wall Street crash proportions was bound to burst. Stock markets around the
The Co-op is to launch a range of own-brand plastic-free teabags nearly three years after it first pledged an eco-friendly version of the nation’s favourite brew. Mass-produced teabags became an unlikely target in the fight against the global plastic binge, after it emerged that the industry-wide
The UK’s largest listed financial firms have handed their board members a near-80% pay rise since 2009, prompting shareholder advisers and high pay campaigners to call for greater transparency on director fees. Data gathered by the Guardian shows median pay for the
The plus-size clothing brand Evans has been bought out of administration in a £23m deal but will close all five standalone stores with the loss of 25 jobs. The brand is the first part of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group to be
The UK competition regulator has launched an investigation into the failure of airlines to offer cash refunds to travellers who have been unable to take their flights because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its move followed reports that
Topshop’s administrators are seeking bids of up to £200m for Sir Philip Green’s fashion chain as they try to seal a deal before Christmas. Initial bids are expected to be filed by the end of next week as part of a flurry
Heathrow could lose 2,000 retail jobs because of the government’s decision not to offer tax-free shopping for tourists, according to the airport’s chief executive. John Holland-Kaye said the move, which will make the UK the only country in Europe to have a
Gyms, crazy golf, student flats, hotels or even a whisky-based tourist attraction: the future of many department store sites is unlikely to involve shopping. More than 200 of them are now empty or closing next year, and property experts say the shift
