Kingfisher in 19pc profit surge June 2, 2011 Warm weather and a drive to improve profit margins helped Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvement retailer, to post a 19 per cent rise in first-quarter profit, broadly in line with expectations. The group, which runs market leader B&Q in Britain as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France and elsewhere, said on Thursday it [...]
Kingfisher in 19pc profit surge June 2, 2011 Warm weather and a drive to improve profit margins helped Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvement retailer, to post a 19 per cent rise in first-quarter profit, broadly in line with expectations. The group, which runs market leader B&Q in Britain as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France and elsewhere, said on Thursday it [...]
Wickes to buy 13 Focus shops from administrator May 17, 2011 FOCUS DIY’s administrators yesterday agreed the sale of 13 stores to Wickes Building Supplies, saving 345 jobs in the process. Ernst & Young said it was in “detailed discussions with a number of interested parties” over the sale of further stores. Focus went into administration earlier this month after being hit by the weak housing [...]
Banks hit by Greece loan delay June 20, 2011 Banking stocks took a pummeling in early trading today as Eurozone ministers stalled on loan payments to Greece creating more uncertainty surrounding the beleaguered country. Ministers said Greece would need to introduce harsh austerity measures before it received the 12bn euros (£10.6bn) in loans. The FTSE 100 was dented by the news and European markets [...]
Q&A: CONCERT PARTIES EXPLAINED September 18, 2011 Q. WHAT IS A CONCERT PARTY? A. A concert party is a group of people acting together to take over a target company. For example, when two major shareholders, perhaps owning about 15 per cent of the business each, attempt to replace a management team they believe is incompetent. The 30 per cent threshold at [...]
Kingfisher in plan to boost global growth March 24, 2011 KINGFISHER yesterday unveiled a five-year plan to transform the business with massive growth and a campaign to breathe new life into the flagging UK DIY market. The bold blueprint was unveiled as the B&Q owner reported a 22.5 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £670m in the year to 29 January. However total sales [...]
Pimm’s and trifle give Royal Wedding boost to Waitrose May 2, 2011 THE extra Royal Wedding bank holiday pushed Waitrose sales up 23.1 per cent compared to last year’s Easter break, the supermarket said yesterday. Total branch sales for the week to Saturday 30 April jumped as revellers stocked up for barbecues and street parties. Popular items included trifle, with sponge sales rising 370 per cent on [...]
Pimm’s and trifle give Royal Wedding boost to Waitrose May 2, 2011 THE extra Royal Wedding bank holiday pushed Waitrose sales up 23.1 per cent compared to last year’s Easter break, the supermarket said yesterday. Total branch sales for the week to Saturday 30 April jumped as revellers stocked up for barbecues and street parties. Popular items included trifle, with sponge sales rising 370 per cent on [...]
Kingfisher in profit boost February 17, 2011 B&Q owner Kingfisher yesterday forecast a 20 per cent rise in annual profits after strong overseas growth offset weak trading in the UK. The group said it expects adjusted pre-tax profits for the year ending last month to be at the top end of City expectations at £672m. Strong sales in countries such as Poland [...]
Kingfisher in profit boost February 17, 2011 B&Q owner Kingfisher yesterday forecast a 20 per cent rise in annual profits after strong overseas growth offset weak trading in the UK. The group said it expects adjusted pre-tax profits for the year ending last month to be at the top end of City expectations at £672m. Strong sales in countries such as Poland [...]