Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
India's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), the country's top private port operator, announced a 76 per cent surge in its fourth-quarter earnings, credited to unprecedented cargo volumes.
The company, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, disclosed that its net profit climbed to £195.21 million in the quarter ending March 31, compared to £110.78 million a year earlier.
Recording its highest quarterly volumes at 109 million metric tonnes (MMT) during January-March, APSEZ saw a 19 per cent uptick in revenue to £658.98 million, as business momentum gained in early 2024.
Operating 13 ports and terminals across India, including Mundra, the nation's prime container handling port situated in Gujarat, APSEZ asserted its crucial role in the country's maritime trade.
In its fiscal year 2023-24, APSEZ accounted for over a quarter of India's cargo volumes, surpassing projections by handling 420 MMT cargo.
Signifying its expansion drive, the company disclosed plans to acquire a 95 per cent stake in Odisha's Gopalpur Port for £155.09 million, aiming to bolster its presence on the east coast.
Following the earnings report, APSEZ's stock surged by 1.5 per cent. Year-to-date, the stock has escalated by approximately 31 per cent, outpacing the benchmark Nifty 50 index's 4.5 per cent growth.
DC London Pie Limited, Pizza Hut UK’s restaurant operator, entered administration just 10 months after rescuing the chain.
Yum! Brands secured 64 dine-in locations saving 1,276 jobs, while 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites will close permanently.
Rising labour costs and tax pressures blamed as UK hospitality sector faces mounting challenges from wage increases and reduced consumer spending.
Pizza Hut collapse
Pizza Hut UK faces major upheaval as its restaurant operator entered administration on Monday (20), resulting in the immediate closure of 68 dine-in locations and 11 delivery outlets. The move puts 1,210 jobs at risk, marking another significant blow to Britain’s struggling casual dining sector.
DC London Pie Limited, the company operating Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in restaurants, appointed FTI Consulting as administrators after facing severe financial pressures. The development comes less than a year after the firm had rescued the chain from a previous insolvency.
In a partial rescue deal, Pizza Hut’s global parent company Yum! Brands stepped in to acquire 64 dine-in restaurants through a pre-packaged administration arrangement. “This targeted acquisition aims to safeguard our guest experience and protect jobs where possible,” said Nicolas Burquier, managing director of Pizza Hut International Operating Markets to Reuters.
Approximately 1,276 employees will transfer to the new Yum! Brands operation, though the company confirmed that delivery and takeaway services remain unaffected by the administration process.
Hospitality sector struggles
Businesses are being squeezed by a combination of increased National Minimum Wage requirements which rose 9.8 per cent in April 2024 to £11.44 per hour and higher employer National Insurance contributions announced in the government’s autumn budget.
Isabelle Shepherd, a partner at HaysMac, explained that “hospitality businesses are suffering from the twin pressures of reduced sales and significantly increased labour costs, squeezing cashflows and working capital.”
DC London Pie had faced mounting difficulties, including a winding-up petition from HMRC over unpaid taxes filed just last month.
Pizza Hut UK is not alone in its struggles. Papa Johns closed nearly 75 UK restaurants in 2024, while TGI Friday’s UK operator Hostmore entered administration last year, affecting 36 stores and 1,000 jobs.
The Centre of Retail Research projects approximately 17,000 shop closures across Britain throughout 2025, signalling continued difficulties for the retail and hospitality sectors.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.