Domino’s Pizza has closed its Italian stores after seven years, after the US brand struggled to win over customers in the birthplace of pizza (The Financial Times £). Domino’s Pizza’s last stores in Italy have been closed after the firm that operated its outlets in the country filed for bankruptcy (The BBC). Domino’s Pizza has been forced to close its restaurants in Italy after local residents shunned its American-style slices (The Telegraph).

Hospitality business leaders are calling on the government to urgently cut VAT, as they struggle with increasing costs and they also face the challenge of trying to sell their products or services to customers who are cutting back on spending. (Sky News)

Campaigners have demanded a 25p cut in fuel prices to help reduce the cost of living. FairFuelUK said fuel duty should be cut by 20 to 25p per litre in a similar manner to cuts seen in Europe. (Sky News)

The boss of John Lewis has called on the over-50s to re-enter the workforce to prevent the economy from falling into the grip of ‘stagflation’ (The Daily Mail). An exodus of over-50s who left the workforce during the Covid pandemic is fuelling wage inflation, says the boss of John Lewis. Dame Sharon White said any government must think “really hard” about how to get more older people back into work (The BBC).

The price of olive oil will increase by as much as 25pc within months, one of the UK’s largest supermarket suppliers has warned, as the heatwave in Spain hammers production. (The Telegraph)

Coca-Cola HBC has dived into the high-end mixer market with a €45m buy-up of Three Cents, a carbonated drinks brand created by four Greek bartenders. (The Times £)

The Italian government is launching infringement proceedings against Slovenia in an attempt to defend the authenticity of its famed, geographically protected balsamic vinegar. (The Guardian)

Consumer confidence rose in July as low-income households received cost of living payments from the government’s support package. (The Times £)

Australian lolly lovers are lamenting the loss of the fruit-flavoured chew Starburst, with the distributor Mars-Wrigley confirming they have discontinued the brand. (The Guardian)

Topics