6:38 am, December 24, 2025
Mothercare looking to ‘rebuild scale’ in UK and worldwide
Baby products retailer Mothercare has said it is looking to rebuild its presence in the UK and worldwide despite posting further losses after seeing half-year sales tumble.
The London-listed firm, which sells its ranges through franchised stores across the globe, reported pre-tax losses of £1.4m for the six months to September 27, against losses of £1.8m a year ago.
Sales by franchise partners slumped 25% to £90.7m, or 22% lower on a constant currency basis, as trading was knocked by store closures in the Middle East and the imminent ending of its exclusive tie-up with high street retailer Boots in the UK. Chairman Clive Whiley said despite the trading pressures, the firm had ‘stabilised’.
Fuel retailers ramping up profit margins amid ‘weak’ competition – CMA
Retailers could be overcharging motorists at the pump after the UK’s competition watchdog found profit margins in the sector remain ‘persistently high’ and unexplained.
In its first annual road fuel monitoring report, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that, despite a year-on-year fall in prices at the petrol pump, the profit margins made by retailers have been rising over the past year.
It said this could not be explained by operating cost pressures, as claimed by supermarkets and other fuel retailers, and signals that competition in the sector is ‘weak’ – which means pump prices are not coming down as much as they could.
Final Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition to go under the hammer next week
The final Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition to roll off the production is set to go under the hammer next week.
The car in question has covered just 4,597 miles from new and was built on January 29 2016, according to online auction house, Collecting Cars.
Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: ‘As the last one to roll off the production line, this is quite literally the ‘ultimate’ Defender Heritage, and as such represents an unmissable opportunity in the market – so we anticipate strong interest from collectors.’
The markets
The FTSE 100 was in festive mood on Tuesday, closing higher after a report showed improved UK business confidence and the US economy grew more than forecast in the third quarter.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 23.25 points, 0.2%, at 9,889.22. The FTSE 250 ended up just 6.83 points at 22,349.55, while the AIM All-Share closed down 1.67 points, 0.2%, at 758.81.
The pound was quoted at 1.3481 US dollars at the time of the London equities close on Tuesday, up from 1.3452 on Monday. The euro stood at 1.1777 dollars, higher against 1.1759 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was trading lower at 156.37 yen compared to 156.95.
Starmer says many ‘still struggling with cost of living’ in Christmas message
Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that many are ‘still struggling with the cost of living’ in a Christmas message that noted ‘hardship can feel even more acute’ over the festive period.
The prime minister said ‘we should each do our bit’ as he urged Britons to ‘reach out’ to friends, relatives and neighbours.
It comes at the end of a turbulent year for the government with little sign of momentum for its push for economic growth.
Renting Christmas tree growing more popular to cut waste, says business
Rented Christmas trees are growing in popularity because of concerns about the millions which end up in landfill each year, according to a farm shop.
Kilnford Farm Shop in Dumfries began renting potted Christmas trees three years ago, amid ecological concerns. The trees are expected to be rented to the same families for about a decade, before potentially being rented commercially when they are too big.
After they have reached their lifespan, the fir trees will be ‘retired’ to the farm, and will provide a wildlife haven. The farm shop delivers to neighbouring postcodes, and prices range between £48 to £63 depending on the size, with a £15 returnable deposit.
Tuesday on Car Dealer
‘You’re on your own with the Chinese brands’ – Peter Vardy on rise of the Chinese and his firm’s charity exploits
Motor industry veteran Peter Vardy believes dealers with a Chinese carmaker franchise have a ‘fantastic couple of years’ ahead of them, but warned they need to be careful working with these brands as the nature of business is ‘fundamentally different’.
Last chance to book Early Bird tickets to Car Dealer Live 2026 as discounts end soon
Time is running out to bag discounted tickets to Car Dealer Live ’26 with just days left to run on the Early Bird offer.
Lexus named UK’s most reliable car brand for 2025 – but which used car comes out on top?
Lexus has been revealed as the UK’s most reliable car manufacturer for 2025, while the Toyota Yaris has been named the most reliable used car.
Weather
Much of the UK will enjoy winter sunshine today, particularly later, though low cloud lingers in the east and it stays windy in the far south, reports BBC Weather.
Tonight brings clear spells for many, especially in the north-west, western Wales and southern England, with patches of low cloud elsewhere and breezy conditions near the Channel.
