Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group raises Boohoo stake to 15 per cent October 16, 2023 Mike Ashley backed Frasers Group has once again raised its stake in online fashion brand Boohoo. The Sports Direct owner upped its share in the group from 13.4 per cent to 15.1 per cent. The fashion powerhouse, which also owns Jack Wills, has been rapidly increasing its stake in the popular clothing site. At the [...]
Why Dame Sharon White failed at John Lewis and what her successor needs to do October 4, 2023 The current chair of John Lewis was always a risky appointment, Simon Neville writes, but she made mistakes that her successor would do well to learn from as they seek to restore the retailer to relevance
Boohoo warns of further sales falls as tough buyer market takes its toll October 3, 2023 Fast fashion giant Boohoo’s said its revenues fell by 17 per cent in the six months to August to £729m, and warned of further sales falls in the year ahead. The online shopping brand, which has been undergoing a turnaround plan, said that in the year ending February revenues could slip by between 12 to [...]
How Brits (and businesses) fell in love with the humble retail park September 20, 2023 On the outskirts of every bustling town and city lies the reliable, yet boring, retail park. But, as dull as they may be, retail parks are having their moment in the sun.
RIP Wilko: How another high street chain went to the wall September 11, 2023 After more than 90 years on the high street, Wilko and all its 400 stores will vanish by early October. Its 12,500 staff were hoping that HMV owner Doug Putman would be able to close a rescue deal that would see several hundred stores saved. But the Canadian entrepreneur abandoned talks with the high street [...]
Wilko rumour mill: B&M shares up as takeover whispers gather volume August 15, 2023 Wilko has fallen into administration but rumours are flying that fellow discounters could be circling the stricken retailer
Analysis: Wilko collapse is the Woolworths of this financial crisis August 10, 2023 The collapse of Woolworths was described as “the first domino of physical retail Armageddon.” Although it might not justify that epithet, the collapse of Wilko shows which way the wind is now blowing.
The Notebook: Neil Clifford on dyslexia, profit with purpose and the greatest American asset July 24, 2023 Where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s Neil Clifford, chief executive of London luxury brand Kurt Geiger Profit with purpose is keeping us on the right track I left school in 1983 with a single qualification to my name: an O-level in art. I was dyslexic, but I didn’t find that out until years [...]
Mark Kleinman: What’s next for BT and the City’s ugliest row of 2023 July 13, 2023 Mark Kleinman, City editor of Sky News, writes fortnightly for City A.M. Germans could be on the line at Jansen-less BT Hanging-up time is fast-approaching for Philip Jansen, whose plan to step down as CEO of BT Group next year – revealed by me last weekend – was confirmed on Monday. Sources have told me [...]
Superdrug profits soar 71 per cent as budget beauty buys boost sales July 12, 2023 Superdrug has reported a surge in profits in its full year results thanks to a jump in sales of its own-brand products on top of strong Christmas trading. The medicine-to-beauty seller recorded pre-tax profits of £77.8m, up 71.1 per cent compared to the same period the previous year, as the retailer welcomed its first full [...]