Morrisons’ share price falls 2.5 per cent as dividend is cut on sales and profits decline March 10, 2016 Sales and profits at Morrisons have fallen again – but the supermarket management is talking confidently about progress made so far, and guided on future dividends in an effort to woo shareholders. Morrisons' share price was down 2.5 per cent in mid-morning trading, however, as investors digested the news that this year's dividend was being slashed [...]
Move over Mog and Man of the Moon: Science says we loved Harvey Nichols’ “gift face” more than the Sainsburys and John Lewis Christmas adverts in 2015 December 15, 2015 Move over Mog and Man on the Moon, it's Harvey Nichols' "gift face" Christmas advert which really connected with us and made us feel something this festive season. If you haven't seen it, the ad features a recreation of the day itself and the less than inspired gift giving which takes place on it, urging us [...]
Walmart results: Asda third quarter sales drop as parent company’s performance improves November 17, 2015 Asda's chief executive Andy Clarke will be coming under greater pressure, as the troubled supermarket reveals another drop in sales. Back in August, Clarke said the supermarket had reached its nadir – but today it appears to have fallen further. Like-for-likes at the Walmart-owned grocer fell 4.5 per cent for the 13 weeks to 30 September. That [...]
Sainsbury’s biggest FTSE riser as share price soars by most since 2009 as sales fall by less than expected September 30, 2015 It comes to something when a dip in sales is embraced rapturously by investors – but Sainsbury's shareholders were thrilled as the supermarket suggested full-year profits will be ahead of expectations. The figures Sainsbury's like-for-like sales in the quarter to the end of September, it said, with sales excluding petrol dipping 1.1 per cent. That was "moderately" [...]
Christmas spending to hit £16.5bn as 60pc of Brits head to discounters for their festive food shop November 23, 2015 Britons are feeling a bit more generous this Christmas than they were last year thanks to improved economic conditions and higher wages, new figures show, with spending set to reach £16.5bn over the festive season. Travelodge’s annual Christmas report, which surveyed the spending habits of over 3,000 people, found that households expect to spend an average of [...]
Christmas adverts 2015 UK: John Lewis’ Man on the Moon faces stiff competition as Sainsbury’s hopes its Mog the Cat is not just for Christmas November 25, 2015 In the race for the most memorable TV ad campaign, it has been cat versus the man on the moon. John Lewis’ Christmas advert, usually a hands-down winner, has faced stiff competition this year from children’s favourite, Mog the Cat, the star of Sainsbury’s effort. Last year, Sainsbury’s advert was set in the First World War [...]
Nectar profits collapse as supermarket price war takes its toll on loyalty cards October 18, 2015 Profits have tumbled at Britain’s biggest loyalty card provider, Nectar. Aimia Coalition Loyalty UK, Nectar’s parent company, said that pre-tax profits fell to £14.1m for 2014, from £74.4m the year before, due to a rise in people cashing in their points, while collecting fewer. The company warned that if people continued to redeem points then [...]
German discounters Aldi and Lidl take 10 per cent slice of UK grocery sector February 13, 2015 Discounters Aldi and Lidl now account for more than 10 per cent of the UK's grocery sales, taking £1 in every £9.31 spent at supermarkets in the last three months. The German retailers' combined market share stood at 10.7 per cent for the 12 weeks to January 31, up from 9.3 per cent last [...]
Asda backtracks on London expansion plans as it seeks to revive flagging sales October 19, 2015 Asda has become the latest supermarket to backtrack on store opening plans after scrapping ambitions to expand in London in favour of reviving deteriorating sales at existing stores. US-owned supermarket chain said it is “temporarily” slowing down the planned expansion of smaller format stores in London as well as its programme to develop more stand-alone petrol [...]
One year in, Tesco boss has Dave Lewis no room for excuses – The City View September 29, 2015 A year ago this month, Dave Lewis was anointed Tesco’s chief executive after being parachuted in from Unilever and tasked with turning around Britain’s biggest retailer. The supertanker was sinking fast. Lewis’ predecessor Phil Clarke had overseen a disastrous reign littered with profit warnings, a collapse in the share price and falling market share. Tellingly, [...]