Hammerson sells Sheffield’s biggest retail park for £62m April 23, 2015 HAMMERSON said yesterday it has sold Drakehouse Retail in Sheffield as it looks to focus on its other major developments in Croydon and Brent Cross. The FTSE 100 property group has sold the 21,000 square metre retail park located to the south east of Sheffield city centre to 90 North Real Estate Partners for £61.7m. [...]
Poundland eyes extension over 99p Stores deal probe April 14, 2015 Poundland is expected to ask for an extension tomorrow over its decision on whether to walk away from its £55m tie-up with 99p Stores or proceed with a full-scale probe by the competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said last week that it had concerns over 92 areas where it believes there could [...]
Veronique Laury: DIY is not dead, says chief exec of Kingfisher March 31, 2015 The chief executive of Kingfisher denied yesterday that the younger generation had fallen out of love with DIY, even as the home improvement chain announced the closure of one in six stores across the UK. Veronique Laury, who took the helm at Kingfisher in January, said: “I am not one of those who thinks DIY [...]
World Cup gives boost to Argos and Homebase sales June 12, 2014 Home Retail Group enjoyed a strong start to the year as the warmer weather and the World Cup prompted Britons to stock up on barbecues and new wide-screen televisions. Argos’ like-for-like sales rose 4.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 31 May, the chain’s eighth consecutive quarter of growth, driven by sales of garden [...]
RHS Chelsea Flower Show highlights from Prince Harry’s Sentebale garden and the M&G Garden to hot tip Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth May 19, 2015 Yesterday saw a triumphant start to the UK's premier garden exhibition, which is a sell-out event once again. The royals came out in force yesterday at the exclusive preview gala celebration for the Chelsea Flower Show. As well as the Queen, the cortege included the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke [...]
Talking ‘bout the older generation: Kensington Row is the development that’s built for life March 12, 2015 There’s plenty of debate how our healthcare system is going to cope with an ageing population, but less fuss is made about how housing is going to meet the challenge. We generally think the older generation has been blessed in the property department, but finding a place to downsize in central London isn’t as easy [...]
Home Retail Group share price falls as it announces plans to close a quarter of stores by 2018 October 22, 2014 Shares in the owner of DIY retailer Homebase fell 3.8 percent in early trading this morning, after it announced plans to close 25 per cent of its 323 stores by 2018. Home Retail Group, which also owns Argos, said the current estate was too big relative the demands of the UK market and out of [...]
Argos owner warns of Black Friday blues January 15, 2015 THE CHIEF executive of Home Retail Group warned yesterday against the risk of chasing sales over Black Friday week at the expense of profit after the Argos owner reported weaker-than-expected results for the festive period. John Walden said it had decided to take a much more cautious approach to discounting in the run-up to Christmas [...]
B&M European Value Retail in talks to buy stores from six retail chains November 18, 2014 B&M European Value Retail said yesterday it was in talks to buy stores from at least six retailers which are downsizing their portfolios as the bargain chain continues its UK expansion spree that will see it double in size over the next eight years. The retailer, which opened its 400th store last month, said it [...]
Dragons Den star Peter Jones opens Jessops inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets October 8, 2014 Jessops, the camera chain brought out of administration by Dragons Den star Peter Jones last year, has opened its first store inside a Sainsbury’s supermarket. The retailer yesterday launched in Sainsbury’s superstore in Newport, South Wales, and plans to open a further two stores in Waterlooville, Hampshire, and Maidenhead, Berkshire, within months. “This is a [...]