Next is planning "moderate" price increases this month as a closely-watched survey of companies reports the fastest rise in cost pressures for three-and-a-half years.
Severn Trent, supplying over 8 million people, recorded its highest-ever water demand on Saturday, surpassing records from the 2022 drought and Covid pandemic. The company urged customers to reduce usage due to increased demand for garden watering and filling pools during the current heatwave.
Sky's acquisition of ITV, a £200m deal ending 70 years of independence, signals a crisis for British TV. Deep-pocketed US streamers dominate, forcing consolidation and raising fears of job losses and the future of iconic shows.
The England vs. Norway World Cup quarter-final is projected to generate a significant economic boost for the UK, with estimates suggesting a near half-billion pound sales increase. Venues, retailers, and hospitality sectors are expected to benefit from increased spending on drinks, food, and merchandise.
UK students are devastated after volunteer travel company GVI announced its closure, leaving many thousands of pounds out of pocket. The company, which offered placements worldwide, is entering liquidation on July 1, cancelling all programmes and leaving customers uncertain about refunds.
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix has raised $26.5bn in its New York share offering, the largest ever by a foreign firm in the US. The shares surged on their Nasdaq debut, driven by demand for AI chips.
US private equity firm Apollo has made a surprise offer for easyJet, trumping Castlelake's bid with a higher price of 715p per share (£5.7bn). This has initiated a competitive auction, relieving easyJet's board. Apollo is seen as a favorite due to its appeal to founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and its larger scale compared to Castlelake.
