Flight disruption expected to clear; Primark to start offering home delivery in UK - business live

Retail and travel updates dominated the business live stream, including widening losses for the John Lewis Partnership and an outlook for UK flight disruption clearing. The group, which operates 36 department stores and more than 300 Waitrose supermarkets, said its pre-tax loss for the six months to 1 August rose to £124m from £88m a year earlier. Higher costs—including national insurance contributions and operations during heatwaves—alongside weaker consumer confidence weighed on results. Waitrose sales grew 4% to £4.3bn, while department store sales fell 2% to £2bn. The session also noted that UK flight chaos is expected to clear today after a NATS technical issue. Separately, Primark’s parent Associated British Foods said Primark will begin offering home delivery in the UK.