Primark hires former Zara Basic head Paula Dumont Lopez in bid to move up the clothing retailer ranks December 23, 2017 Primark has pulled in Paula Dumont Lopez, a former head of product at Zara Basic, as its new womenswear chief. The budget high street chain, which currently lags Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Next as the UK’s third largest clothing retailer, is to begin in January next year. Read more: Next’s sales return to growth [...]
Shopping centre landlord Intu swings to a loss after swallowing £1.4bn hit to property values February 20, 2019 Embattled shopping centre landlord Intu moved into the red last year, as more than £1.4bn was wiped off the value of its property following a swathe of retail challenges. Shares in the group dived almost 10 per cent in early morning trading. The figures Losses at the FTSE 250 firm, which suffered two failed takeover bids [...]
Boohoo in vogue after outlook raised September 26, 2018 Boohoo had an impressive six months as revenue and pre-tax profit jumped by 50 per cent and 22 per cent respectively. The group saw strong demand for their brands at home and abroad, as the UK registered a 43 per cent rise in sales and the international division posted a 62 per cent rise in revenue. The overseas [...]
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) share price dips as it reports jump in revenue and profit November 7, 2017 Primark’s parent company has reported a jump in profit and revenue in the 52 weeks to 16 September The figures Associated British Food’s (ABF) group revenue was up 15 per cent to £15.4bn, while adjusted operating profit rose 22 per cent to £1.36bn. Primark sales were up 19 per cent year-on-year, rising from £5.95bn to [...]
Online sales are set to hit record levels on Black Friday as high street footfall declines November 21, 2018 The proportion of sales made online is likely to hit its highest level ever in November, boosted by a Black Friday internet shopping rush and fewer high street shoppers. Internet sales are expected to exceed 20 per cent of total retail sales for the first time ever this month, according to research by real estate firm [...]
Debenhams share price plunges as investors fear disappointing Christmas trading January 2, 2019 Shares in Debenhams plunged almost nine per cent this morning amid fears of poor trading over the festive period. The department store chain saw its share price tumble to 4.68p on the first day of trading in 2019, ahead of an update due on 10 January. The sliding shares suggest investors have low expectations for [...]
Shareholders need to hear more than just contrition if they are to believe in the future of M&S November 8, 2018 Another day, another bleak set of results from a struggling high street retailer. This time it was the turn of M&S to take centre stage, reporting falling food and fashion sales and pledging to leave “no stone unturned” in its bid to restructure the business. Blighted by rising costs, more competition, and major changes in [...]
Next defies Christmas fears with online sales boost but outlook remains cautious amid Brexit uncertainty January 3, 2019 Next has opened the crucial post-Christmas trading update season by reducing its full-year profit expectations, but defied investor worries by increasing sales. The retailer said full-price sales for the festive period were up 1.5 per cent between 28 October and 29 December, in line with its expectations. Next reported a 14.9 per cent increase in online [...]
Half of BHS’s former stores are still empty two years on from collapse August 29, 2018 More than half of BHS's former sites are still vacant two years after the retail chain's collapse, new data showed today. Some 84 of the 164 stores remain empty, according to the Local Data Company. This comes two years after the final branches of the business closed their doors, resulting in the loss of 11,000 jobs. [...]
Next nudges up profit guidance after blistering summer despite ‘volatile’ market September 25, 2018 British fashion retailer Next nudged up its full-year outlook this morning, after the firm’s strong summer performance unexpectedly carried on into August and September. Next posted half-year pre-tax profits of £311.1m compared with £309m in the same period last year, raising its full year guidance by £10m to £727m. The better-than-expected forecasts have largely been [...]