UK firms prepare for messy Brexit
Major British companies have set out plans to counter any trade delays and downturns that could stem from a no-deal scenario
London — British companies selling everything from washing machines to flights, food and mortgages plan to spend tens of millions of pounds in case the political brinkmanship gripping the country leads to a disorderly Brexit. With barely four months until the world's fifth largest economy leaves the EU, a raft of major companies set out plans on Tuesday to counter any trade delays and downturns that could stem from a no-deal scenario. Electrocomponents, which stocks more than 500,000 industrial and electronics products, said it would spend £30m in the six months to the end of March 2019 to increase its holding of high-turnover goods in Britain and Europe. AO World, the online electricals and white goods retailer, might increase stock to mitigate supply chain friction while Compass, the world's biggest catering firm, is looking to build inventory and vary menus before March 29. "We are planning very seriously for all scenarios," said CEO Dominic Blakemore of Compass, which provides m...
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