Sports Direct in good shape October 20, 2010 SPORTS Direct, Britain’s largest sport retailer, warned 2011 would be extremely challenging for all retailers as it delivered a trading update yesterday. The company, controlled by Newcastle United football club owner Mike Ashley, said group sales for the nine weeks ending 26 September were up 5.4 per cent to £295m compared with £218m a year [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: HOW HAS SPORTS DIRECT PERFORMED October 20, 2010 DAVID BUIK | BGC PARTNERS Mike Ashley is incredibly market aware when it comes to capitalising on opportunities like the World Cup or other big sporting events, and when it comes to knowing what will fly off the shelves he has no peer in the realm. These solid results are just an endorsement of that [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: HOW HAS SPORTS DIRECT PERFORMED October 20, 2010 DAVID BUIK | BGC PARTNERS Mike Ashley is incredibly market aware when it comes to capitalising on opportunities like the World Cup or other big sporting events, and when it comes to knowing what will fly off the shelves he has no peer in the realm. These solid results are just an endorsement of that [...]
Blacks fields potential buyers October 19, 2010 CAMPING and hiking retailer Blacks Leisure yesterday confirmed it has received several approaches to take over all or parts of its business. Shares in the company rose 25 per cent to 42.50p following the news that Blacks has taken on financial advisers McQueen to help field potential offers. The share price gives the company a [...]
Sport retailers cleared by fraud probe but individuals are still under scrutiny October 19, 2010 SPORTS Direct and JJB Sports have been cleared by a fraud probe, although investigations into unidentified individuals continue, the two companies announced yesterday. Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) had been investigating both sporting goods retailers over possible price fixing and fraud. “No charges are to be brought against the companies or any companies within their [...]
JD Sports eyes acquisitions September 21, 2010 Clothing and footwear retailer JD Sports Fashion said it would consider buying distressed brands or companies both in the UK and overseas as it posted a 37 per cent rise in first-half profit. “The financial pressures that certain brands or companies in the sector are suffering provides potential opportunity,” executive chairman Peter Cowgill said. Italy, [...]
Sports Directs sales hike fuelled by World Cup September 7, 2010 Sporting goods retailer ports Direct posted an 8.8 per cent rise in first-quarter sales – fuelled by the World Cup in South Africa The firm, in which Newcastle United club owner Mike Ashley has a 71 per cent stake, said on Tuesday sales were £408m in the 13 weeks to July 25, up from £375m [...]
Sports Direct in profit rise July 22, 2010 FOOTBALL fans buying personalised shirts and other World Cup gear, helped to fuel a 50 per cent profit rise for Sports Direct. The retailer celebrated its strongest-ever trading on the day of the England versus USA game. The company said World Cup demand helped it maintain the sales trends that saw post and annual pre-tax-profit [...]
Sports Direct profit surges by 50pc July 22, 2010 BRITAIN’S biggest sporting goods retailer Sports Direct hit forecasts with a 50 per cent rise in annual profit and predicted more growth in the 2010-11 year. “We believe we are operationally stronger than ever,” chief executive Dave Forsey said. “Accordingly, and assuming no significant deterioration in economic conditions, we are targeting underlying EBITDA (earnings before [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING May 23, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES PRINCE ANDREW’S TRADE ROLE DEFENDED Buckingham Palace defended Prince Andrew’s globetrotting role promoting British business on Sunday after a newspaper sting appeared to show his former wife selling access to him for £500,000, offered by a reporter posing as a tycoon. Both the royal household and the government said the Duke of York’s [...]