The molecular diagnostics company, which is listed on London’s junior AIM market, launched a consultation process on Monday.

It was higher than expected by analysts and the initial flash estimate of 53.7 reported late last month.

Asda said like-for-like sales dipped by 0.8% over the three months to March 31, compared with a year earlier.

Andrew Bailey told an audience in Reykjavik, Iceland, that reacting too early to inflation concerns ‘may generate undesirable volatility’.

The partnership comes amid a major turnaround plan at Asda led by executive chairman Allan Leighton.

The number of people aged between 16 and 24 and not in employment, education or training, so-called Neets, rose to 1.01 million.

The power company said pre-tax profits dipped by 1% to £1.84 billion for the year to March.

Around 42 jobs will be lost despite the handbag retailer being purchased by Gordon Brothers

Mr Manifold said he ‘entirely’ disputes the characterisation of his conduct laid out by his former employer.

But the new boss of the group said it has made ‘material progress’ in the retail arm’s turnaround plan over the past six months.

Amanda Blanc, senior independent director at BP, said the board deemed his conduct to be ‘unacceptable’.

The online homeware and furniture retailer has revealed revenues jumped by 28% to £195 million for the year to March 31.

However, England and Wales have still seen more than 6,000 retail premises vanish from local communities over the past five years.

Former Waitrose boss James Bailey took the reins in a bid to drive a turnaround in performance.

Former Waitrose boss James Bailey took the reins in a bid to drive a turnaround in performance.

The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index, which is watched closely by economists, recorded a reading of 48.5 for May.

The Office for National Statistics said the total volume of retail sales, which measures the quantity bought, fell by 1.3% in April.

Shares in the London-listed firm ticked higher in early trading as a result.

It has already shut three of its stores in recent days, in Castlecourt Belfast, Leeds and Romford.

The fashion retailer hired administrators from advisory firm Interpath in February after suffering a ‘tough start’ to 2026.