Mining and retail stocks push FTSE 100 into the green after Christmas shopping boost December 29, 2022 The FTSE 100 has been given a boost by its top retail stocks as investors cashed in on the post-Christmas sales shopping, and as China is set to ease its Covid restrictions for inbound travellers from January 8. Among the top performers on London’s leading index on Wednesday were JD Sports Fashion, Next, Kingfisher and [...]
As inflation pushes up prices, businesses should only hike them where it really counts April 13, 2022 Just as the impact of the pandemic was subsiding, inflation has risen to its highest rate since March 1992 – hitting 5.5 percent in January 2022. The Bank of England has projected that inflation will hit 7 percent by the spring. From freight rates to oil to furniture and groceries, prices are increasing dramatically. Many [...]
UK borrowing surges to a record £103.7bn in lockdown June 19, 2020 UK borrowing exploded to £103.7bn over April and May’s lockdown, official data showed today, as debt exceeded 100 per cent as a percentage of GDP in May for the first time in 57 years. The current financial year to date – April to May 2020 – has already seen borrowing rocket to £103.7bn. That is [...]
Supply chain woes: Virgin Wines stocks up for Christmas year in advance October 28, 2021 Virgin Wines revenue has jumped around a third to £73.6m in the past year, buoyed by strong levels of customer demand. In comparison with pre-pandemic figures, revenue has soared 73 per cent in the year to 30 June. Meanwhile, profit before tax and exceptional items has surged 86 per cent to £5.2m. The retailer has [...]
Coronavirus pandemic ‘worse than financial crisis’ for UK retail sector April 28, 2020 The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the high street has been worse than the aftermath of the financial crisis, experts said as UK retail health plunged to record lows. The retail health index by KPMG and Ipsos fell three points to 71 in the first quarter of the year – a new record low. [...]
Gymshark nets £45m profit as founder Ben Francis climbs up Sunday Times Rich List May 22, 2022 Sportswear brand Gymshark has pocketed a £45.4m pre-tax profit – a further jolt of good news for its young founder, who has risen in the Sunday Times Rich List. The e-commerce fashion retailer saw profit rocket in the year to July 2021, compared to 2020’s sum of £30.4m, according to accounts filed to Companies House [...]
Booming sales at Wickes as locked down Brits turned their hands to DIY June 1, 2021 Sales at Wickes boomed in the six months to 22 May, as a nation under lockdown restrictions got creative with DIY and home renovations. In a trading update this morning, the retailer, which sells various home improvement products, revealed like-for-like growth jumped some 46 per cent on the same period in 2020. Following better [...]
John Lewis posts £29m pre-tax loss after restructuring costs September 16, 2021 John Lewis has reported a pre-tax loss of £29m for the year’s first half, after restructuring costs. However, the high street giant said its half year results ending July 31 marked a significant improvement on last year’s pre-tax loss of £635m. Profit before exceptional items was £69m, up £124m on the comparable period last year, [...]
Revenue soars at Ocado during lockdown July 14, 2020 Retail sales for the first half of 2020 for online grocer Ocado jumped 27 per cent to £1bn, as Brits did their supermarket shopping from home. The group reported a loss before tax of £40.6m in the six months to the end of May, citing an increase in investment to handle increased demand as a [...]
Ikea price rise warning as furniture giant hit by material costs November 3, 2021 Ikea’s owner has warned of spiralling profits and price hikes because of supply chain disruption. Higher raw material costs have contributed to the furniture giant forecasting its profits are set to fall for two successive years. Net profit in the year to the end of August fell 17 per cent to €1.4bn at Inter Ikea [...]