A New Look for high street retail? Here’s what matters in the Covid-19 world September 16, 2020 It has been what Sir Alex Ferguson used to call “squeaky bum time” for fashion retailer New Look these past few days. On Monday it was being reported that British Land and Landsec, two of the chain’s biggest landlords, were preparing to vote against the proposed company voluntary arrangement (CVA) which would have switched the [...]
Coronavirus: Chemicals giant Ineos to build hand sanitiser factory in 10 days March 24, 2020 Chemicals giant Ineos will build a hand sanitiser factory in 10 days that will produce 1m bottles a month as more UK firms join efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. Ineos, which is owned by the UK’s third richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is already Europe’s largest producer of the two chemicals needed to [...]
Dr Martens owner snaps up luxury trainer brand Golden Goose for €1.3bn February 12, 2020 Permira, the private equity owner of Dr Martens and Reformation, has snapped up Italian trainer brand Golden Goose for €1.28bn. US private equity firm Carlyle has sold its majority stake in the luxury fashion brand after buying the firm in 2017, the companies announced today. Permira was battling with rival private equity firm Advent and [...]
Adverts in adversity: Johnny Hornby on the case for advertising through Covid-19 May 8, 2020 There’s no doubt the advertising industry has taken a battering in recent weeks, with the coronavirus crisis sparking the biggest fall in ad spend on record. In fact, with TV production on hold, it seems brands may have to turn to Zoom to keep their campaigns going. The downturn comes as little surprise. Marketing budgets [...]
Coronavirus: Luxury brands braced for a bumpy ride April 7, 2020 It’s hard to erase the memory of red-and-white sale signs in the world’s most prestigious stores on Madison Avenue, New York, at the end of 2008. Stores that rarely offered discounts in their flagships slashed prices to move stock to very few shoppers. The luxury sector is not quite witnessing the same carnage as the [...]
Coronavirus: Deliveroo to provide 500,000 free meals to NHS staff March 29, 2020 Deliveroo has pledged to deliver 500,000 free meals to NHS workers across the country as the UK gears up for the peak of the coronavirus outbreak. The delivery firm said it has begun providing meals to NHS trusts, while customers will be able to donate funds to buy food for doctors and nurses through its [...]
France vows to hit back at US tariffs as luxury stocks fall December 3, 2019 The European Union will hit back at “unacceptable” US tariff threats against French products, finance minister Bruno Le Maire has warned. Shares in luxury French retailers took a hit this morning after the US issued new tariff threats in retaliation against the country’s new tech tax. Read more: US to slap France with tariffs over [...]
Five trends to watch in China’s consumer sector November 3, 2020 As the world continues to try to contain the spread of Covid-19, China is among the few countries sustaining a return to normal activity. Restrictions on movement have been lifted and the government’s test and trace system has so far proven effective in containing new outbreaks. As a result, shops, restaurants and other services have [...]
Ted Baker share price crashes as bosses quit after profit drop December 10, 2019 Ted Baker’s share price plummeted to a 16-year low this morning after two executives quit, plunging the stricken retailer further into crisis as it slashed its profit forecast and suspended its dividend. Shares dropped as much as 35 per cent in morning trading following the departure of chief executive Lindsay Page and executive chairman David [...]
Ted Baker share price sinks into acquisition territory after £25m balance sheet error December 2, 2019 Ted Baker has warned investors that it is set to take up to a £25m hit after overstating the value of inventory on its balance sheet. The retailer has appointed Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to investigate the issue and told shareholders that it estimates an impact on the value of the clothing stock of between £20m [...]