M&S set to buck retail trend and see a bumper golden quarter November 6, 2024 After reporting a set of results far ahead of analysts’ expectations for the third quarter, Marks and Spencer is set for a bumper Christmas period as its turnaround continues to bear fruit. Its food division is particularly well-placed to deliver, with sales already up more than seven per cent in the third quarter. M&S’ food [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group warns Boohoo over break-up plans November 6, 2024 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has handed Boohoo a list of demands after its campaign to install the retail tycoon as the new CEO of the fast-fashion giant failed last week. The owner of Sports Direct and House of Fraser had sought to get Mike Ashley installed as the new chief executive of Manchester-headquartered Boohoo, in [...]
Retail sales growth slumps in October as consumers remain cautious November 5, 2024 Retail sales growth dipped in October due to pre-election anxiety, the latest figures have shown. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG sales monitor, retail sales in the UK increased by 0.6 per cent year over year in October, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in October 2023. Food sales nudged up 2.9 per cent [...]
Retailers prepare for ‘exceptionally tough’ golden quarter after Budget November 4, 2024 The golden quarter is off to a slow start and things are only set to get tougher for retailers over Christmas, according to fresh data. In-store sales grew by 1.7 per cent year on year in October, while total sales – both in-store and online – grew 4.1 per cent, according to BDO. Whilst the [...]
Convenience stores issued £634m warning ahead of Budget October 29, 2024 A lobby group has warned convenience stores could be set for a huge bill next year as tax hikes are expected to be included in the Autumn Budget. The Association of Convenience Stores has said the sector will face a potential bill of £634m due to wage increases, plus changes to National Insurance contributions and [...]
Shop prices fall further in October despite fashion recovery October 29, 2024 According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), shop prices fell 0.8 per cent in the year-to-October.
US investor revives controversial Revolut share offer after FCA setback October 28, 2024 A US private equity firm is pressing on with a controversial effort to grow its stake in Revolut at a heavy discount, City AM can reveal, after its previous offer was scuppered by the City regulator.
Revolut: US investor tried to scoop up cheap shares with Budget tax warning October 27, 2024 A US private equity firm tried to leverage fears of a capital gains tax raid in the Budget as it sought to grow its Revolut stake at a heavy discount, City AM can reveal, in a move foiled by the City regulator.
The five REITs primed to be bought next October 26, 2024 Real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been dropping like flies this year, as competitors increasingly pursue mergers to grow their size, and many have begun to speculate about which one might be next to go. The largest merger of the year was LXI REIT, which was bought out by Londonmetric Property at the start of [...]
Greencoat UK Wind hit by low power generation as share buybacks continue October 25, 2024 The value of Greencoat UK Wind’s underlying assets dipped by 0.4 per cent across the quarter as power generation came in nine per cent below budget. “We suspect that many of the managers’ expectations have been optimistically biased,” said Stifel analyst Iain Scouller. “We think we will see a similar generation undershoot at many of [...]