Online retailers face OFT action October 12, 2012 Over a third of the UK’s top online retailers could be breaking consumer laws, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced today. The OFT conducted checks on 156 popular websites, finding that 62 retailers may not be fully compliant with distance-selling regulations and other consumer protection guidelines. In particular, the OFT expressed concerns that 33 [...]
Home Retail Group boosted by sales growth at Argos September 13, 2012 HOME Retail Group yesterday reported a return to quarterly growth at its flagship Argos chain, with sales up 1.4 per cent at £867m. Online purchases paid a key role in this growth, as they rose by 16 per cent, representing 42 per cent of total Argos sales. But the wet summer weather hit the group’s [...]
Home Retail Group boosted by sales growth at Argos September 13, 2012 HOME Retail Group yesterday reported a return to quarterly growth at its flagship Argos chain, with sales up 1.4 per cent at £867m. Online purchases paid a key role in this growth, as they rose by 16 per cent, representing 42 per cent of total Argos sales. But the wet summer weather hit the group’s [...]
Nintendo up as Wii U ready for Christmas boost September 13, 2012 NINTENDO yesterday announced that its next generation Wii U video game console will be released in time for Christmas, as it aims to get a head start on rivals Sony and Microsoft. The Japanese company – which reported its first annual loss in its 123-year history this year as sales of its current Wii console [...]
WH Smith boss Kate Swann to leave retailer October 11, 2012 WH Smith yesterday announced Kate Swann is to step down as chief executive next year after heading the retailer for almost a decade. Swann will hand over the reins to Steve Clarke, managing director of the group’s high street division, next July after overseeing its crucial Christmas period and ensuring “a smooth transition” of the [...]
Grocers set to unveil festive trading figures January 7, 2013 TESCO is expected to emerge as the winner of a tough Christmas trading period for Britain’s big four supermarkets as weak consumer confidence, falling real incomes and rising real prices put pressure on the sector. Analysts predict the grocer will on Thursday post a one per cent rise in UK like-for-like sales for the six [...]
Tesco fightback steadies giant’s market share January 29, 2013 TESCO maintained its market share and matched market growth for the first time since June 2011, according to the latest grocery share data from Kantar Worldpanel. The UK’s biggest supermarket grew sales year-on-year by 3.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 20 January, giving it a market share of 30.4 per cent, as its [...]
Greene King enjoys record Christmas trading January 14, 2013 Pub group Greene King hailed a strong festive period this morning, as it posted record sales through Christmas and the New Year. Over the past six weeks, like for like sales growth came in at 2.8 per cent, and Greene King said it enjoyed record Christmas Day sales of £2.7m, up 6.8 per cent year [...]
Prosecco adds fizz to Majestic’s festive sales in slow December January 8, 2013 MAJESTIC said Britons uncorked a record number of bottles of Prosecco this Christmas than last year and drank just as much as Champagne as the wine specialist posted a rise in sales over the period. Chief executive Steve Lewis said Prosecco sales rose 20 per cent on last year while Champagne sales were flat. New [...]
Ryanair lifts profit forecast January 28, 2013 Low cost carrier Ryanair this morning hiked its full-year profit guidance on the back of strong growth in the third quarter. The airline now expects full-year profits to come in at around €540m (£461m), a seven per cent increase on last year. Previous guidance was set at between €490m and €520m. Over the third quarter, [...]