6:30 am, June 26, 2026
Halfords gets sales boost after garages makeover and e-bikes push
Halfords has revealed its sales grew over the past year as the retailer modernised its garages and tapped into demand for e-bikes.
The motoring and cycling retailer said revenues totalled £1.8bn in the year to April 3, up 4.8% compared like-for-like with the previous year. This was driven by a 4.1% uplift in retail sales and 5.8% jump in sales for its autocentres. More than half of the company’s revenues come from its service-related sales.
Halfords said its consumer garages business – which includes car repairs and MOTs – had been boosted by the opening of dozens of Fusion garages, which integrate retail and garages together. It has opened more than 100 of these garages and is aiming for another 35 this year.
There is ‘some way to go’ before fuel prices return to pre-Iran oil crisis level
Drivers are being warned there is ‘some way to go’ before fuel prices match the cost of oil in returning to pre-Middle East war levels.
The AA said the average cost of a litre of petrol and diesel at UK forecourts is 152.9p and 170.5p respectively. That is below the war-time peaks of 159.7p for petrol and 192.4p for diesel, set on April 16. But petrol remains about 20p more expensive than before the conflict, and the price of diesel about 28p higher.
AA president Edmund King claimed some drivers will fear ‘prices could go the other way’ because of ‘uncertainty’ over the future actions of Iran and the US.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz ‘Good Night’ package transforms EV bus into camper
Volkswagen has introduced a new ‘Good Night’ package that will turn the electric model into a fully-fledged camper van.
The equipment pack introduces a folding bed with a built-in mattress, as well as a table and chair set that can be easily stowed away. Blackout blinds will help to make sleeping in the van more comfortable, too, while a specially configured overnight mode will set the air conditioning and even dim the interior lights for a stay underneath the stars.
While only available in Germany currently, it’s expected that the ‘Good Night’ pack will be available to UK customers soon where it will be available on standard and long-wheelbase ID. Buzz models.
The markets
The FTSE 100 made strong progress on Thursday amid an improving outlook for inflation following this week’s drop in oil prices and as the Dow Jones reached a new record best.
The FTSE 100 closed up 68.26 points, 0.7%, at 10,529.89. The FTSE 250 ended up 59.89 points, 0.3%, at 23,161.41, but the AIM All-Share fell 5.45 points, 0.7%, to 771.92.
The pound traded at 1.3213 dollars on Thursday afternoon, higher from 1.3167 dollars on Wednesday.
Mahmood in standoff with No 10 after call to sack junior minister
Downing Street has resisted immediately sacking an immigration minister after Shabana Mahmood asked Sir Keir Starmer to fire him for allegedly breaching the ministerial code.
The home secretary had called for the prime minister to dismiss Mike Tapp after he wrote an article suggesting foreign care workers should be exempt from her plans to tighten settlement rules.
But there appeared to be a stand-off on Thursday evening as No 10 said the Home Office minister remained in post and it is understood a decision has not yet been made by Sir Keir.
Nato boss to be ‘tough but discreet’ on defence spending goals, amid UK row
Nato chief Mark Rutte has said he will be ‘tough but discreet’ in ensuring member states meet their defence spending commitments, amid a dispute in Britain over future military funding.
The alliance’s secretary general made a veiled reference to the current row when he named-checked the UK in pointing out that when countries have to ‘really step up’ their investment in their armed forces ‘of course there will be discussions’. He said making certain nations had a ‘credible path’ to spending 5% of economic output on defence by 2035 was one of the issues that would raised at a crucial Nato summit next month.
John Healey quit as defence secretary earlier this month because a long-delayed military investment plan was only due to provide an extra £13.5bn, far short of the £28bn over four years which officials had argued for.
Thursday on Car Dealer
Car dealer Steven Eagell delivers ‘strong and resilient performance’ despite dip in profits
Toyota specialist Steven Eagell has reported a ‘resilient’ year of trading in 2025, despite profits taking a hit.
Motorway launches bizarre driving gloves that double as goalkeeper mitts
Motorway has launched a quirky new marketing campaign centred around a pair of bespoke gloves designed for both driving cars and saving penalties.
Inquest held into death of young car salesman who died in high speed collision with a tree
A car salesman died after he careered off the road and hit a tree in a 100mph crash, an inquest has heard.
Three quarters of dealers say used car buyers are now less brand loyal
The rise of new car brands in the UK appears to be changing attitudes in the used car market, with dealers reporting a sharp decline in brand loyalty among buyers.
SMMT calls for urgent support as UK vehicle production edges up in May
UK vehicle production rose in May, buoyed by higher exports. But the industry’s trade body is again calling for the government to ensure the UK remains a competitive place to make and sell vehicles.
Weather
Much of the UK will enjoy sunshine today, though northern Scotland will see heavy, thundery rain and scattered showers may redevelop in the north and east, reports BBC Weather. Highs of 35 degrees in the east of England.
Tonight, Scotland’s downpours will gradually clear northwards, while elsewhere there will be clear spells with a slight risk of showers in south-east England by dawn.
