Morrison beats rivals with festive sales boost January 21, 2010 SUPERMARKET chain Morrison posted the biggest rise in Christmas sales among Britain’s top four grocers – but urged caution about 2010. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 6.5 per cent, excluding petrol and VAT, in the six weeks to 3 January. Total revenue rose by 10.8 per cent for the period. Morrison, [...]
Mince pie bonanza over the festive season helps Greggs to increase sales January 13, 2010 PHENOMENAL demand for festive savoury bakes stoked a Christmas sales rise at baker Greggs although snow and sub-zero temperatures dented trade at the start of 2010. The firm, which sold more than a million mince pies each week over the festive period, yesterday said sales at stores open for more than a year increased 1.1 [...]
Thorntons revels in sweet profit figures February 17, 2010 THORNTONS reported a 25 per cent rise in first half profits yesterday – with the company hoping its new ice cream lines will boost summer figures. Pre-tax profits jumped to £9.1m in the 28 weeks to 9 January as the group managed to shift most of its Christmas stock. Thorntons’ chocolates are sold through supermarkets [...]
THE TIPSTER ALL EYES ON GDP FIGURES THIS WEEK September 27, 2009 A LOT of bullish confidence is riding on the expectation that the UK will exit recession in the third quarter and so investors will be keenly interested in the final second quarter GDP figures for the UK, which are released tomorrow. Cable (sterling-dollar) could move on the back of any surprises and the pair has [...]
Tesco sales surge after Clubcard bonus January 12, 2010 TESCO has had its best Christmas in three years after slashing prices and offering double Clubcard points to get customers through the door. Britain’s biggest supermarket chain reported that like-for-like sales at its UK stores jumped by 4.9 per cent during December and early January. Tesco saw a 35 per cent surge in sales of [...]
BA turns to old staff to cover strike February 10, 2010 British Airways yesterday asked staff whose temporary contracts expired last year to cover expected upcoming strike action. Former staff have been offered six month contracts worth £1,000 a month with an additional £2.40 an hour flying allowance. The staff would have to undergo a week long refresher course that would begin on 22 February. BA’s [...]
Greggs in slim sales rise after mince pie bonanza January 12, 2010 BAKERY chain Greggs sold more than a million mince pies a week over the festive period helping to give it an overall sales lift. Comparative sales during the four weeks to December 26 grew 1.1 per cent with a “very strong performance” in the Christmas week with a 4.4 per cent improvement. But the company [...]
Bank DLR to re-open January 26, 2010 A VITAL transport artery into the heart of the City will re-open at the start of next month after an overhaul to allow longer trains to run, Transport for London (TfL) said yesterday. The Docklands Light Railway station at Bank, which has been closed since Christmas Eve for expansion and modernisation works, will re-open on [...]
Game Group issues profit warning January 12, 2010 COMPUTER games retailer Game Group yesterday cut its full-year profit forecast following poor Christmas sales, which were hit by growing supermarket competition and a slowing video games market. The results bucked the trend elsewhere for healthy festive spending. A survey showed British retailers enjoyed the biggest rise in total sales in a December since 2005. [...]
Debenhams sees slim sales rise January 12, 2010 DEBENHAMS has reported a marginal rise in Christmas trading figures – and vowed to step up its store refit scheme. The chain said the 0.1 per cent rise in like-for-like sales for the 18 weeks to 2 January was in line with internal forecasts. Debenhams said growth was limited by its decision to move away [...]