Tesco’s share price climbs as it stems declines but Asda and Morrisons crowned worst performing supermarkets in the UK March 8, 2016 Tesco has continued to stem its declines, but Asda and Morrisons have tumbled further, according to Kantar Worldpanel's latest figures for the supermarket sector. Sales at Tesco fell 0.8 per cent – meaning its performance is still well below the sector average of 0.5 per cent growth – but a relative improvement on last month's decline of [...]
Dad’s Army review: The film version of the classic TV show is far from doomed February 4, 2016 If there’s a better film to watch with your father than Dad’s Army, I can’t think of it. “I was sceptical in ‘68, but it turned out to be my favourite programme,” noted mine. Certain quarters have given this film a hard time, decrying its feeble humour and comfortingly predictable plot – involving a German [...]
House of Fraser to open three Chinese stores from next year March 24, 2015 House of Fraser is to try and crack the Chinese market next year, with the launch of a trio of stores beginning next year. The department store business, which last autumn was bought out by Chinese conglomerate Sanpower, is planning to open three branches in second-tier cities Nanjing, Xuzhou and Chongqing. They might [...]
Arsenal 0-0 Southampton: Arsene Wenger blasts the Gunners’ shoddy finishing as their Premier League title hopes suffer another blow February 2, 2016 Arsenal 0, Southampton 0 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger blasted his team's impotence in front of goal after a fourth successive Premier League game without a win further undermined their title challenge. The Gunners mustered 18 shots, including 12 on target, but found Fraser Forster in forbidding mood on the rare occasions they stretched the Southampton and [...]
Sirius Minerals share price jumper after it signs with the China’s Huaken International December 24, 2015 Shares in Sirius Minerals jumped as much as 11.2 per cent to 15.57p per share today after the Aim-listed company clinched a deal with a Chinese company. Chinese importer and exporter Huaken International has agreed to buy 500,000 tonnes of polyhalite over a seven-year period from Sirius' York Potash mine. It's an "offtake" agreement, something that's agreed before a [...]
Rory McIlroy’s form a few weeks from the Masters is a slight worry but Bubba Watson looks in great shape for a crack at a third Green Jacket February 22, 2016 Perhaps it’s the Jordan Spieth effect, maybe it’s the prospect of a Ryder Cup later this year, or it could simply be that they are just a very talented bunch. Either way, American golfers are on song. On Sunday it was Bubba Watson’s turn to take centre stage as the two-time Masters winner conjured a [...]
The Co-operative steals supermarket crown as strongest non-discounter, according to Kantar figures – as grocery sector boosted by New Year healthkicks February 9, 2016 The UK's struggling grocery sector has been given a shot in the arm from shoppers on a health kick, with sales up 0.2 per cent as consumers seek out fresh foods. The Co-operative was the fastest growing supermarket, outside of the discounters, in the 12 weeks to 31 January – the first time it can claim [...]
House of Fraser posts record sales in first year under Nanjing Xinjiekou as it ramps up international expansion April 21, 2015 House of Fraser's new owners will be toasting their decision to acquire the business, which has revealed record like-for-likes for the year. The figures Like-for-like sales at the department store were up 5.8 per cent, with gross total value (GTV) rising to £1.3bn. Profits rose £29.6m to £460.2m while adjusted EBITDA rose seven per [...]
John King steps down as CEO of House of Fraser February 18, 2015 HOUSE of Fraser chief executive John King has stepped down after eight years at the helm of the department store chain, with chief operating officer Nigel Oddy taking his place. King joined House of Fraser in 2007 just after its was bought by a consortium of investors called the Highland Group which included retail entrepreneur [...]
The New Day but not a new dawn for Mirror owner February 19, 2016 It may lack the attention-grabbing quality of “Bus Found on Moon” and other red-top headlines, but “Publisher Unveils National Tabloid” has a similar ring of implausibility. In a national newspaper market characterised by perpetually declining annual sales, Trinity Mirror’s launch of New Day looks like an adventurous bet on the willingness of a dwindling band of [...]