Spend data, current trading, Vianet, McDonald’s, Brown Forman & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Well, we can’t keep the foxes out of the garden.

They seem to melt through fences and float over walls but, as they bumped off the last of our chickens many moons ago, they’re less of an issue than they were.

At least for us, that is.

The dog, however is, as they say, on an emotional journey.

Meaning that her ‘live-and-let-live’ attitude has evolved somewhat since she found a humungous fox poo deposited on top of her favourite squeaky toy the other day.

And I refused to do much about it.

I wasn’t going to clean it for her, she can fight her own battles and now I can almost feel the burning desire for revenge that’s smouldering within her. Indeed, she shudders with hatred every time she passes the stained and abandoned toy meaning that foxes have joined the unholy trinity of rabbits, squirrels and pigeons that reside on her ‘immediate-kill’ list.

Not that she’s got the physique to do much about it, that is. On to the news:

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BARCLAYCARD MAY 2025 SPENDING DATA:

Barclaycard has produced spending data for May saying that ‘consumer card spending grew just 1.0% year-on-year in May, down from April’s 4.5% growth.’ The number is well below the current rate of inflation. It reports that ‘confidence in household finances declined three percentage points to 67%, while the ability to spend on non-essentials dropped to 56%….’

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Current trading.

S4 Labour reports that sales across the hospitality industry rose ‘slightly’ in May but, it cautions, ‘challenges remain’. S4L says sales rose by 1.6% in May. That’s below the rate of inflation and it accords, directionally if not in terms of scale, with plastic-spend-only data coming out from Barclaycard…

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Trading continued:

TV presenter turned farmer & now publican, Jeremy Clarkson, has told viewers that the opening weekend of his pub the Farmer’s Dog was an ‘absolute disaster’. The unit opened on 23 August last year, in time for the August Bank Holiday, but a number of issues saw service come late or not at all and wastage was a major problem…

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Other news:

UKH reports that current CEO, Kate Nicholls, is to take up the new role of chair with the current Deputy CEO, Allen Simpson, taking over as CEO. UKH says ‘at the same time, current non-executive chairman, Steve Cassidy, will move to become President….’

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COMPANY NEWS:

Beer flow and other data management insights company Vianet has reported full year numbers to end-March saying that total revenue increased to £15.27 million, up from £15.18 million in FY24, ‘highlighting the company’s ability to drive sales amidst evolving and yet challenging market conditions.’ The company says that its ‘gross margin remained strong at 68.3%, compared to 68.7% in the previous year’. Profit Before Tax ‘stood at £0.93 million, including a £0.25m R&D tax credit compared to £0.78 million in FY24, supporting resilience in profit generation during a challenging economic environment….’

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McDonald’s in the UK is set to introduce a new menu to its restaurants on June 18, featuring the brand-new Big Arch burger. The company says that the menu will be its ‘boldest yet’.

Grab & Go operator Pret A Manger is to trial a new shop format this month featuring larger eating areas with a made-to-order service and a dine-in menu. The shops will be operated by franchisees Hala Group (in Maidenhead) and Joup Group (in Dundee).

Loungers chair Alex Reilley writes re the company’s latest opening ‘we’re back in Devon for the opening of our 255th Lounge (& 13th site in Devon). Granito Lounge has opened in Tavistock in a former M & Co plus some impressive double-height space to the first floor and a roof terrace overlooking the Pannier Market.’

The MCA reports that ‘Joe & the Juice’s recent debut in Manchester has “blown expectations,” with the food to go chain actively seeking opportunities in regional cities across the UK….’

Popeyes UK has secured funding from Barclays Corporate Banking which, alongside funding from TDR Capital, will provide the company with the ‘flexibility to build on its success in the UK to date and execute its expansion plans over the coming years’.

Starbucks is set to cut prices in China. The company will reportedly reduce the prices of some of iced drinks by an average of 5 yuan, or around 70c….

Brown-Forman, which has an April year end, has reported full year sales down by 5% at $4.0bn as Q4 sales disappointed. Net sales in the final quarter were down by 7%….

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HOLIDAYS & LEISURE TRAVEL:

Stansted Airport has submitted plans proposing an expansion of the airport to over 50m passengers over the next 20 years. The airport handled some 30m passengers in 2024, making it the third busiest airport in the UK.

Financial company Macquarie is reported set to take a stake in London City Airport, reports Sky News. It quotes ‘industry sources’ as saying that the Airport was preparing to make an announcement about changes to its shareholder base as soon as this week.

OTHER LEISURE:

Newbury Racecourse has released the trading update that will be read at its AGM later today. The company comments fully on historic 2024 trading. Re the future, it says ‘our commitment to improving facilities at the racecourse continues with further amounts invested on the track and in many racegoer and conference attendee areas, as well as the Hotel and Nursery. We believe in the importance of balancing the investment of our financial resources into high quality facilities for all racecourse guests.’

The BBC comments on sporting phenomenon Padel saying that, whilst it is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, pricing is rising as demand is currently outstripping the number of venues available.

TikTok is reported set to create over 500 jobs in Britain and open a second office in London. The Chinese-owned social media company now has some 30 million users in the UK.

Warner Brothers Discovery yesterday announced that it is to split into two companies, “Streaming & Studios” and “Global Networks.” Both will be publicly listed. The split should be completed by mid-2026.

FINANCE & MARKETS:

Nat West has reported that business output across London fell for the second month running in May. Nat West’s London Growth Tracker takes data from S&P’s purchasing managers’ index surveys.

Sterling mixed at $1.3538 and €1.1878. Oil higher at $67.16. UK 10 year gilt yield down 3 basis points at 4.62%. World markets mixed yesterday but London set to open around 10 points better as at 6.30am.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

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