Competition watchdog launches first phase of Morrisons takeover probe January 27, 2022 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched the first phase of its probe into the takeover of Morrisons by a US private equity giant today. The £7bn deal, which was completed in October, saw Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings (CD&R) remove Morrisons from the London Stock Exchange. The move prompted the CMA to order the [...]
Asda sales jump but grocer warns over consumer confidence slump May 19, 2020 Asda reported a jump in sales in the first quarter of the year, but warned that customers are increasingly concerned about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The supermarket, which is owned by US retail giant Walmart, said like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up 3.5 per cent due to a surge in stockpiling at [...]
Let’s be honest, Tesco making big profits is a good thing April 18, 2024 Instead of criticising Tesco for having a bumper year, we should praise it for providing cheap food and jobs for millions, says Matthew Lesh There’s an unorthodox tourist sight that I always tick off on trips abroad. It’s not that I don’t check out the historic squares, the museums and galleries or even the nightlife. [...]
Food shortage: Tomatoes are back on the menu as supermarkets begin to lift customer limits on fruit and veg March 10, 2023 Supermarkets have started to drop customer limits on buying certain fresh fruit and vegetables as food shortage issues that led to widespread shortages begin to ease. Asda confirmed it had removed limits of three on cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries, leaving restrictions of three on just tomatoes and peppers. The supermarket said [...]
Explainer: What’s behind a potential price cap on essential food June 5, 2023 Now, it’s been so long it’s almost hard to remember when it started, but the price of pretty much everything has been going up in the UK for months on end. Food was always the most painful item area to go up in price – with the “eat or heat” tragic dichotomy predominating last winter. [...]
FTSE 100 close: Debt ceiling breakthrough fails to lift London index as recession fears reignite May 30, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 dropped sharply today as recession fears outweighed US lawmakers closing in a deal to end the debt ceiling deadlock. The capital’s premier index slid 1.38 per cent to 7,522.08 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, was broadly flat, closing [...]
The City View: Consumers borrowing more, and Victoria Scholar on $15bn Barclays blunder March 29, 2022 Today Andy Silvester chats to Interactive Investor’s Victoria Scholar. They go through Barclays’ rough start to the week after an unknown investor sold over £900m worth of shares in the bank following its $15bn securities blunder; Waitrose’s legal row with ASDA, and consumers turning to discount retailers amid the cost-of-living crisis; and Tesla’s stock split. [...]
Co-op profits hammered as challenges not expected to abate in second half September 29, 2022 Co-op profits have taken a dent in the first half of this year, with bosses describing a “highly challenging economic backdrop.” The retailer posted underlying EBITDA of £218m, with earnings subdued compared to the year prior when Co-op posted £248m for the first half of 2021. With arms spanning grocery, funeral, insurance and legal businesses, Co-op’s [...]
Fortress and TDR Capital among potential future bidders for £600m holiday chain Butlins April 13, 2022 Seaside resort chain Butlins could be subject to a fierce bidding war with Sky News reporting that some big names in leisure are mulling takeover bids. According to the news organisation, suitors looking at snapping up Butlins include Fortress Investment Group, the owner of Punch Taverns. Another high-profile bid could be launched by TDR Capital, [...]
Petrol station firm EG Group mulls ‘potential $15bn sale’ September 9, 2021 Petrol station forecourt giant EG Group is reportedly mulling options for its future, including a potential sale. Bloomberg reported that a deal to sell the company, which is backed by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity firm TDR Capital, could fetch as much as $15bn. The firm could also go for an initial public [...]