Bursting with excitement and anticipation, the Editor’s Digest awaits you, curated by Roula Khalaf, the Editor of the FT, who handpicks her favorite stories each week. Dive into the world of business news through a different lens with this exclusive newsletter.
- Greggs Faces Financial Headwinds:
- Shares of Greggs plummeted by 8% due to anticipated additional costs of around £97mn over the next two years following recent Budget measures.
- Deutsche Bank downgraded the bakery chain, forecasting a decrease in pre-tax profit by 23% in 2025 and 2026.
- Employers’ national insurance contributions are set to rise, with the earnings threshold for tax reducing, leading to significant financial implications for companies with large workforces like Greggs.
- Implications of Budget Measures on Companies:
- Many UK corporations, including Marks and Spencer, JD Wetherspoon, and BT, are preparing to absorb over half a billion pounds in extra costs post the unveiling of the Budget.
- Price increases may be inevitable for companies like Greggs to offset these additional expenses, although the market environment makes it challenging for competitors to follow suit given the current inflation trends.
- The Struggle Ahead for Greggs:
- Greggs has been thriving on customer loyalty during times of economic uncertainty, but recent challenges such as violent riots and adverse weather conditions have impacted its sales growth.
- With a workforce of 32,000 employees, the company anticipates significant labor cost pressures in the near future.
- Analysts predict a need for price adjustments in the coming year to navigate the financial landscape altered by the Budget measures, indicating a potential shift in the pricing strategy of value-focused companies like Greggs.
In conclusion, with the changing financial landscape due to the Budget measures, companies like Greggs face a challenging road ahead. As prices shift and cost burdens increase, it remains to be seen how businesses will adapt to these new conditions. The future may hold price adjustments and strategic moves to maintain competitiveness in the market. Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving business landscape.
Leave feedback about this