London’s economy is a microcosm for our success but we’re ignoring ways to help it November 17, 2023 London’s West End is a microcosm of much of the wider economy: it has small independent businesses in sectors such as food, big high street chains in its bars and retail.
Former ballroom dancers light a candle on international trade May 15, 2023 In 2001 the Danish-born couple set up Sebnini, which specialises in luxury fragranced candles and diffusers. It has crowned recent growth in overseas sales with a King’s Award for international trade. The inspiration began when they started bringing candles for their own enjoyment back from Denmark to the UK. Although candles and scent diffusers are [...]
Before the Bell: Europe pointing to lower start as bulls take a breather March 2, 2021 Equity markets started off the new month on the front foot yesterday as lower bond yields combined with stimulus hopes from the US boosted sentiment. Last week, stocks saw some selling pressure as increases in government bond yields acted as an excuse for dealers to reduce their equity positions, indices were coming from a relatively [...]
Mothercare shares surge as baby goods seller returns to profitability September 13, 2022 Shares in Mothercare surged by more than 60 per cent today after the British baby-care products retailer said it had swung back into profitability over the past financial year. The Watford headquartered company posted profits of £12.1m for the financial year 2022, compared to a £21.5m loss in FY 2021. The retailer said the “significant [...]
THG shares tumble after bosses shut down Apollo takeover talks May 12, 2023 Retail group THG has shut down takeover talks with Apollo after its board deemed the US buyout giant had tabled “inadequate valuations” for the firm.
Issa brothers: How to turn a petrol station into an empire for billionaires June 7, 2024 How did the Issa brothers transform a single petrol station in Greater Manchester into an empire and become billionaires in the process?
The Notebook: Neil Clifford on dyslexia, profit with purpose and the greatest American asset July 24, 2023 Where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s Neil Clifford, chief executive of London luxury brand Kurt Geiger Profit with purpose is keeping us on the right track I left school in 1983 with a single qualification to my name: an O-level in art. I was dyslexic, but I didn’t find that out until years [...]
DFS sales slump but retailer reassures on profit January 14, 2020 Furniture retailer DFS reported a dip in sales in the second half of the year following “subdued” trading in August and September. The company said gross sales were down six per cent in the 26 weeks to 29 December, “reflecting a challenging consumer environment”. Read more: Sofa retailer warns fewer house sales will impact trading [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown shares surge after bid from private equity giants May 23, 2024 Hargreaves Lansdown has rejected a takeover bid by a consortium of private equity investors including CVC and Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, the company confirmed today.
Private sector grows at fastest pace in five years as UK economy reopens July 24, 2020 Britain’s all-important services sector grew at its fastest pace in five years in July as much of the UK economy reopened from the coronavirus lockdown, a survey has shown. Private sector output as a whole also grew at its fastest clip since 2015 as manufacturing production picked up speed, according to the early survey reading. [...]