Debt firms snap up UK student loans for £160m November 29, 2013 DEBT MANAGEMENT group Erudio was yesterday revealed as the buyer of £890m worth of student loans that have been sold off by the government. Erudio Student Loans, a consortium made up of Arrow Global and CarVal Investors, paid £160m for the portfolio. The deal will see it take control of the government’s remaining 17 per cent [...]
Debt firms snap up UK student loans for £160m November 25, 2013 DEBT MANAGEMENT group Erudio was yesterday revealed as the buyer of £890m worth of student loans that have been sold off by the government. Erudio Student Loans, a consortium made up of Arrow Global and CarVal Investors, paid £160m for the portfolio. The deal will see it take control of the government’s remaining 17 per cent [...]
John Lewis sales growth held back by weather August 3, 2012 John Lewis, Britain’s biggest department store group, said sales growth eased last week, with demand sapped by a spell of hot weather and the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The employee-owned firm said today department store sales increased 6.2 per cent year on year to £56.6m in the week to 28 July. In [...]
Primark is wise to remain offline April 26, 2013 SO many retailers have been trumpeting their online success in recent weeks – with the internet now more profitable than the high street for Debenhams, and John Lewis’ annual website sales topping £1bn – that it’s something of a surprise to be presented with old-fashioned bricks and mortar success. But that’s what Primark delivered yesterday, [...]
Coen brothers deliver the goods January 23, 2014 FILM INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS Cert 15 | By Alex Dymoke Four Stars INSIDE Llewyn Davis is an offbeat, directionless sulk through the unforgiving streets of early 60s New York. These 60s don’t so much swing as shiver: winter-time Greenwich Village is wan, washed-out, freezing. The aspiring musicians who shuffle through it aren’t carried forth by [...]
F1’s Olympic status called into question October 27, 2013 THE CHANCES of superstar drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton ever winning Olympic gold have been dealt a blow after a former senior politician claimed the practices of motor racing’s governing body are not in line with those of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Motor racing is not currently an Olympic event but moved a [...]
The must have items for 2013 January 24, 2013 Key Trend 1: Pioneer Just like with fashion, the world of interiors is going global by tapping into the explorer trend that has been doing the rounds for a while. “At John Lewis our inspiration is rooted in our pioneering ancestors,” says Rickwood. “We’re interested in the meeting point between different ideas and cultures, and [...]
John Lewis boosted by Jubilee June 8, 2012 John Lewis enjoyed a sharp rise in weekly sales as shoppers splashed out on food and fashion to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and take advantage of better weather. The employee-owned retailer has had a run of strong weekly sales increases, albeit at slower rates in recent weeks, even though official data showed overall UK [...]
Carpet maker Axminster on brink of failure February 21, 2013 AXMINSTER Carpets, the historic manufacturer that has woven carpets and rugs for Britain’s stately homes since the eighteenth century, has filed for administration. The Devon-based company, which employs around 400 people, confirmed its intention to appoint Duff & Phelps as administrators. It said it would continue to trade while it explores all potential restructuring operations. [...]
John Lewis sales boosted by TVs May 25, 2012 John Lewis, Britain’s biggest department store group, continued its run of double digit weekly sales increases, helped by wet weather, television sales boosted by the digital switchover and demand for Jubilee themed products. The employee-owned retailer has been growing sales even though official data this week said overall UK retail sales fell last month at [...]