British supermarket chain and fifth-largest retailer in the UK
Mitie has accepted an offer from OCS Group valuing the company at about £3.1 billion, with shareholders set to receive up to 221.6p per share in cash and dividends. The deal, subject to shareholder and court approval, aims to accelerate growth and expand service capabilities. OCS Group would add Mitie’s 84,000-strong workforce and key contracts across government, NHS, transport hubs and airports to a larger UK facilities-management platform.
The rising cost of ice cream in Britain has become a flashpoint between luxury indulgence and everyday treat. Prices for scoops and tubs vary widely, with premium parlours expanding while traditional ice-cream vans shrink. The sector has grown in the 2020s, yet operators face high fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners, a new vehicle led by Richard Pennycook and supported by Trevor Strain and Matt Truman. The deal will see Argos, including its standalone stores and in-store outlets, transferred to Swift, enabling Sainsbury’s to concentrate on its food business. Completion is expected in February 2027 with full separation by 2029.
UK farmers warn of a strained harvest as a dry, hot July tests crops; while growers embrace warmer English summers for wine, pressures on supplies and pricing rise. Wildfires in France threaten rosé quality; vineyards test batches and some produce may be unsellable. Across Europe, heat waves drive shifts in farming and food supply.
The CMA has provisionalised rules to stop big grocers from blocking rival stores. Aldi and Lidl are now included in the land-use restrictions, alongside Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Final decision expected in October.
Inditex’s Lefties opens its first UK store in Liverpool, featuring robotics to sort clothes and a new online-first proposition. The move, part of a broader UK expansion, targets a budget-conscious segment and faces competition from Primark, Shein and others. The retailer plans more UK outlets based on early performance.
Associated British Foods says Primark has acquired a Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its established click-and-collect model. Primark sales are dipping year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe weakens. A demerger plan to list Primark separately is targeted for end-2027.
The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone has seen a large fire that forced about 280 guests to evacuate. Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirms the blaze started in the basement; police are treating it as suspicious. A welfare centre is assisting evacuees as investigations continue.
The government has positioned itself as a partner for growth, hosting roundtables with business leaders and regional mayors to push a culture shift toward easier start-ups, reduced costs, and devolved power. Officials warn of a tough Budget environment amid rising borrowing costs and energy prices.
Next has raised full-year profit guidance for the fourth time this year, citing strong half-year performance aided by unusually warm summers. Morrisons reports robust quarterly trading, while Jigsaw showcases momentum, with online growth and international expansion under a turnaround plan.
A wave of grocery testing shows premium labels and own-brand options are colliding on shelves. Independent taste tests highlight best buys in olive oil, pizza, and dressings as prices rise and harvests shift, pressuring shoppers to weigh quality against cost.
Lidl GB has reported a 10% rise in sales to over £13bn, with pre-tax profit up 30% to £245.5m as shoppers chase cheaper meat, fruit and veg and new Deluxe range. Aldi faces scrutiny over loyalty schemes as it expands stores and price cuts amid inflation and supply-chain concerns.
The Guardian and Reuters report that Sainsbury’s has walked away from talks with Morrisons over a multibillion-pound merger. The CMA’s latest stance on Aldi and Lidl shelves shifts could influence future deals, with analysts noting Sainsbury’s could snap up a rival without triggering immediate competition concerns. Talks remain open to restart in the future.