Week ahead: Data and results set to keep UK investors busy as PMIs and supermarket results come thick and fast May 3, 2016 First quarter earnings season as well as a constant flow of economic data is set to keep investors busy all this week. The FTSE is coming off the back of a disappointing session after it closed down 80.51 points at 6241.89 on Friday following underwhelming results from some of the UK’s top banks. This week that [...]
Five challenges Amazon faces plotting its own-brand products May 17, 2016 Reports that Amazon is branching out into private-label groceries make sense for the retail giant. In a sluggish market own label is one of the few healthy areas, growing by 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2016. Retailers aren’t seen as credible without an own label range, but developing a strong offer takes time and Amazon will [...]
Next former finance boss David Keens joins Sainsbury’s board April 27, 2015 THE FORMER finance boss of Next is to join Sainsbury’s this week as a non-executive director, the supermarket said yesterday. David Keens retired from Next in March after 29 years with the fashion retail giant, including 24 years as finance director. Sainsbury’s said he will join the board tomorrow, replacing Gary Hughes, who will retire [...]
Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe celebrates a Sport Relief windfall with David Walliams and Eastenders star Maddy Hill as the grocery giant raises more than £7m for charity this year March 20, 2016 Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe must be feeling pretty confident about his store's competitive streak. A week after revealing strong results, the superstore boss got together with soap opera stars to celebrate the success of Sainsbury's Sport Relief Games. This year, the grocery giant has raised over £7m in aid of Sport Relief, culminating in a series fitness [...]
Sainsbury’s bid for Argos might solve some of Mike Coupe’s problems – but the deal poses significant challenges for landlords January 14, 2016 In a presentation to investors this week, Sainsbury’s outlined its strategy behind acquiring Home Retail Group. Sainsbury’s did caution that the deal would be a “strategically compelling opportunity, and if done at the right price financially compelling”. The 22-page presentation was used to set out the case and try and ease investors concerns. Home Retail Group reported that [...]
Sainsbury’s dividend hit as profits plunge: Supermarket joins “horror show of income slashers” May 6, 2015 Sainsbury’s became the latest supermarket to take the knife to its final dividend yesterday, joining banks and oil companies in what analysts called a “horror show of income slashers”. Sainsbury’s said it will pay a full-year dividend of 13.2p per share, down 23.7 per cent on last year, after changing its policy in November [...]
It’s time to celebrate consultants’ contributions May 10, 2016 The public and thousands of organisations benefit hugely each year from the skills and innovation provided by the UK’s world-class consulting firms. For example, partnerships between management consultancies, the private sector and government are improving the management of long-term health conditions, delivering reductions in crime and greater public safety, introducing new digital services, and helping [...]
Former Sainsbury’s boss Justin King is confirmed to headline Norwood Investec Annual Private Equity charity dinner February 22, 2016 Investment barons across the City are already looking forward to Jewish charity Norwood’s annual private equity dinner in June, as ex-Sainsbury’s boss Justin King has just been named the headline act. King, who left his chief exec position at the supermarket in 2014, will be the guest speaker at the dinner, this year sponsored by [...]
Morrisons may not be the most obvious partner for Amazon, but there is method behind the marriage – and it could mean trouble for Asda, Tesco and Ocado March 1, 2016 Only one pound out of every £10 that Britons spend on groceries drops into Morrisons’ tills. Not a bad ratio, you might think, but like its bigger rivals (over £6 in every £10 is spent in Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Asda), Morrisons has been struggling with a declining market share. The Bradford-headquartered supermarket is not the [...]
With Tesco’s profits up but facing an “uncertain market”, has Dave Lewis saved the supermarket? April 14, 2016 John Ibbotson, director of retail consultancy Retail Vision, says Yes. Yesterday’s fall in Tesco’s share price should be taken with a Value sack of salt. Chief executive Dave Lewis is achieving an extraordinary feat, turning around an oil tanker in a very tight spot. With Tesco hemmed in by ruthless competition and food price deflation, it’s [...]