Jonnie Peacock smiles despite failing to medal in Paralympic Games as Sherman Guity Guity claims gold
Kingfisher hit by French woes November 29, 2012 THE CHIEF executive of Kingfisher said uncertainty over the French government’s future tax policies had hit consumer confidence in its largest market, as it posted a six per cent drop in third quarter profit. The group, which runs B&Q and Screwfix in the UK as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France, reported profits [...]
Salesman who still has faith in the high street February 17, 2013 SOME entrepreneurs stumble upon their calling accidentally. Not this one. The founder of one Britain’s few contemporary retail success stories describes himself as the archetypal entrepreneur. Jason Bannister had always wanted to start his own company, but didn’t always know where. A brief stint working in a golf club pro shop when he was 15 [...]
Dixons steals Comet’s place in the spotlight November 29, 2012 THERE are two kinds of people in this world: winners and losers. And if the contrast between rivals Dixons and Comet’s recent luck is anything to go by, the same looks to be true of companies. Luckily for Dixons, it looks like Comet’s demise has put the firm’s star firmly in the ascendant. Its shares [...]
B&Q owner sees profits surge March 22, 2012 KINGFISHER, the owner of B&Q, yesterday announced it had beaten forecasts with a 20 per cent rise in annual profit to £807m as it set out plans for further growth. Sales at the group, which also controls Castorama and Brico Depot in France, rose 3.6 per cent to £10.8bn, while the full-year dividend was lifted [...]
Dunelm welcomes wet weather as its profits surge 15 per cent September 13, 2012 HOMEWARES retailer Dunelm impressed yesterday with a 15.1 per cent jump in annual pre-tax profit to £96.2m, which it credited to gains in market share coupled with a wet summer. Revenues were up 12.1 per cent at £603.7m in the year to 30 June, including an £8m “weather benefit” in the final quarter. Stripping out [...]
Kingfisher cuts prices to shore up its sales July 19, 2012 KINGFISHER, Europe’s biggest home improvement retailer, said yesterday its underlying sales recovered in its second quarter, showing its resilience in the economic downturn even though heavy rain put British and French shoppers off buying seasonal ranges. The firm, which runs the market-leading B&Q chain, said sales at stores open over a year fell 0.4 per [...]
Best of the Brokers September 13, 2012 KINGFISHER Morgan Stanley rates the retailer “overweight” with a price target of 325p. Analysts have set out 10 questions for management to answer following lacklustre interim results, including why B&Q’s profitability has fallen and whether Screwfix could expand into new markets. Morgan Stanley also flags up the prospect of a long-term buyback strategy given Kingfisher’s [...]
Kingfisher slips as wet weather affects footfall September 12, 2012 DIY group Kingfisher yesterday reported a plunge in pre-tax profits for the six months to 28 July, hurt by the “uniquely awful” weather in the UK over the summer. Profit at Kingfisher, which owns Screwfix and B&Q, plummeted 15.5 per cent to £371m, down from £439m over the same period last year as seasonal product [...]
Kingfisher sales pick up July 19, 2012 Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvement retailer, said underlying sales recovered in its second quarter, showing its resilience in the economic downturn even though heavy rain put British and French shoppers off buying seasonal ranges. The firm, which runs the market-leading B&Q chain in Britain as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France and elsewhere, [...]
The Tipster | Raise your glass to JD Wetherspoon September 10, 2012 TRADERS have been questioning JD Wetherspoon, after the company’s share price stumbled over the last few weeks. However, there is optimism about the full-year results, due this week, as the European football championships are expected to have helped the pub chain. Shares hit year-highs above 480p in August, and the firm is expected to report [...]