Fewer shoppers in stores raises alarm for Xmas September 13, 2015 HIGH street footfall fell by more than two per cent for the third month in a row in August, raising concerns for the UK retail sector ahead of the key Christmas period. Total visitor numbers across UK high streets, retail parks and shopping centres fell by 1.6 per cent last month, according to figures released [...]
CommuterClub’s co-founders talk desk dividers and the future of mobility October 24, 2016 We sat opposite each other and, although there was a barrier between us (a physical desk divider) we’d work late into the night and bounce ideas around,” says Petko Plachkov, co-founder of travel payment plan firm CommuterClub. He’s describing working at fintech legend Clive Cowdery’s firm, the Resolution Group, with his co-founder, Imran Gulamhuseinwala. “I joined [...]
Retail Acquisitions may not have been fully aware of the BHS pension position when it first explored buying the retailer May 25, 2016 BHS' pensions fund trustees today told MPs that Retail Acquisitions may not have been fully aware of the pension scheme position when it began the process of buying the business. Speaking in front of the Work and Pensions committee and the Business, Innovation and Skills committee, Chris Martin, chair of the BHS Pension Fund Trustees, pointed [...]
Abercrombie & Fitch misses expectations as sales sag, sparking share sell off – though the Hollister brand remains flat May 26, 2016 News of its 13th quarter-on-quarter sales decline has sparked a sell off of Abercrombie & Fitch stock. The fashion retailer's shares are down by 13 per cent in the pre-market, after the chain missed expectations and warned the current quarter isn't looking any better. Shares that were up by over 20 per cent over the past 12 months on hopes declining [...]
More proof business had a terrible start to 2016 as profit warnings remain “remarkably high”, EY research finds April 24, 2016 The year did not get off to a great start and now their's more proof that for business 2016 is hardly a vintage year. Global economic worries and weak oil prices are among the reasons why the number of profit warnings issued by the UK's listed companies remains "remarkably high" according to the latest research from [...]
Debenhams raids Amazon for new chief executive May 26, 2016 Debenhams' share price rose this morning on the news it has appointed Amazon Fashion Europe's vice president Sergio Bucher as its new chief executive- giving a taste of the struggling department store's future. Bucher will join the retailer in October, having been in his current role since 2013. Previous positions include general manager of retail and e-commerce worldwide at Puma, [...]
Shopping centre giant Intu on track to post rise in full-year rents as shoppers keep tills ringing May 4, 2016 Intu, the shopping centre giant, said it is on track to post a jump in rental income this year as consumers continued to flock through its doors. The FTSE 100 retail landlord, which owns more than 15 major shopping centres including Intu Lakeside, Merry Hill and Braehead, said footfall rose by 1.4 per cent in the year [...]
Lord Owen and Lord Lawson: Stop dithering. We must leave the EU ASAP July 4, 2016 It is unsurprising that the people who prophesied doom and disaster if the UK voted to leave the EU are finding it so hard to instil confidence in the policy they never believed in. Whoever is the new Prime Minister must enter Downing Street ready with clear views to discuss with a new Cabinet and when agreed [...]
SCS shares soar as sofa chain hikes full-year profit expectations January 19, 2016 Sofa and floorings chain ScS’s share price has soared by almost 17 per cent after the company said it expects full-year profits to beat City forecasts. In an unscheduled update the retailer, which floated last year, said trading over the key Christmas and January sales period was strong within both its 97 ScS stores and 30 [...]
Greene King’s share prices bubbles up on sales rise after it shots a Spirit February 10, 2016 Greene King, the FTSE 250 listed pub operator and brewer, has served up a rise in sales for the nine months to 7 February as pub goers continue to dine out while having a pint. The brewer, having gobbled up rival operator Spirit last year for £774m, said that Christmas sales had been particularly strong, [...]