Britons have spent £4bn stockpiling goods in preparation for a possible no-deal Brexit, new research suggests. One in five people are already hoarding food, drinks and medicine, spending an extra £380 each, according to a survey by the finance provider Premium Credit. (The Guardian)

The number of empty shops hit a four-year high last month amid a string of retail collapses and wobbles (The Telegraph). The number of empty shops in town centres is at its highest for four years, industry figures show (The BBC).

Hundreds of Asda supermarket stores will help power the UK’s electricity system this winter by using their fridges as a virtual battery pack for the energy grid. Britain’s third-largest supermarket chain has signed up 300 stores and 18 distribution depots to schemes which can earn the grocery giant extra revenue while helping to balance the electricity grid. (The Guardian)

Robinsons maker Britvic is preparing to cut payments to 6,000 members of its final salary pension scheme. (The Times £)

A US accord might spur imports of genetically modified organisms into the UK, writes the FT. “This week, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the US would be “on the doorstep” to sign a trade deal after Brexit. A real accord would take time. One reason is that it might spur imports of genetically modified organisms into UK farming. Mr Johnson backs cultivation of so-called “Frankenfoods”, which are restricted by the EU.” (The Financial Times £)

President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a new round of trade tariffs on Chinese imports is complicating US retailers’ relationships with suppliers as both sides prepare to haggle over prices in an attempt to protect profit margins. (The Financial Times £)

French winemakers hit by Trump’s sour grapes amid growing trade tension with US as the president says new tariffs will help level the playing field for California’s vineyards. (The Times £)

Can Burger King’s meat-free burger attract the climate conscious, asks The Guardian? Chains are jumping on the meat-substitute bandwagon – but some experts say vegetarian options could boost beef sales. (The Guardian)

The Telegraph writes the “inside story of a high street giant in crisis” in an analysis of chemist chain Boots. “In February disgruntled staff launched a petition via Organise urging Boots to come up with a fairer way to book their breaks. The campaign has since attracted 5000 signatories. Boots said it would fix it but six months later employees say they have not had an update.” (The Telegraph)

Investment banks and hedge funds are betting on the downfall of UK shopping centres, turning their attention to corporate bonds issued by one of the country’s largest retail landlords. (The Financial Times £)

A Senior member of the family behind brewer Young’s has cashed in shares worth £324,000. Torquil Sligo-Young, who also sits on the company’s board, sold 20,000 shares yesterday for 1620p each, according to regulatory filings. (The Daily Mail)

Crowdfunding site Seedrs has suspended its shares from trading on a secondary market used to buy and sell stock in private companies while it attempts to complete a financing deal. (The Times £)

 

 

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