11 of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies are in the UK: Marks & Spencer, BT, and the London Stock Exchange January 22, 2015 The UK is home to 11 of the world's 100 most sustainable companies with Marks & Spencer, BT, and the London Stock Exchange all making it into the prestigious ranking. The other UK-based companies listed were Reckitt Benckiser, Centrica, Unilever, British Land, Sky, Pearson, BG Group and Electrocomponents. Each year media company Corporate Knights produces the ranking which measures companies' sustainability in terms [...]
Next ups full year profit guidance after strong third quarter as it pays out 60 pence per share dividend October 28, 2015 High street retailer Next has raised its guidance for full year profit after another strong quarter. The figures Next's retail arm grew sales 5.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 October, while its directory division grew by 6.2 per cent, giving the group as a whole a six per cent increase in sales. [...]
Happy hour for Fever-Tree as tonic maker hikes full-year guidance November 4, 2015 Fever-Tree shares have rallied more than 13 per cent after the posh tonic water manufacturer raised its full-year guidance on the back of strong sales. The UK-based brand, which floated on Aim last year, said it anticipates results for the full-year to be “materially ahead” of expectations following “encouraging” sales both at home and overseas. [...]
Wall Street sinks and FTSE 100 index closes below 6,000 after another turbulent day in China January 7, 2016 The Dow Jones recorded its worst four-day start to a year on record, following another day of turmoil in China, which also left the S&P 500 on track for its worst start to a year since 1928. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 2.32 percent, to 16,514.1, the S&P 500 dropped 2.37 per cent, and the Nasdaq lost [...]
Business is better off in the EU – now it’s time to say so January 28, 2016 After a life working in and running large businesses like Marks & Spencer, I have been asked why I wanted to chair the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign. The answer is simple. Nothing is more important for British business at the moment than our place in the European Union being under threat. Being in the [...]
Is today a turning point for Marks & Spencer’s share price? November 5, 2014 Marks & Spencer's share price has soared 8.3 per cent this morning, suggesting that investors were pleasantly surprised by its better-than-expected results. Although it marked its 13th quarter of declines, the 3.4 per cent drop in clothing was lower than consensus. Analysts this morning are suggesting this could be, if not the beginning of [...]
Cake maker Finsbury posts sweet performance after munching on new bakeries November 25, 2015 Celebration cake maker Finsbury Food Group reported a huge jump in revenue during its first four months of the financial year thanks to recent acquisitions of rival bakeries. The company, which supplies major baked goods as well as Peppa Pig and Disney Princess celebration cakes to retailers including Morrisons and Marks & Spencer, said sales revenue [...]
Profits jump at food producer Greencore as sandwich orders pile up November 24, 2015 Sushi, salad and sandwich maker Greencore reported better-than-expected full-year profits after winning several new contracts in the UK food to go market and expanding its presence in the US. The food producer, which supplies retailers and supermarkets ranging from Marks & Spencer to Boots, said pre-tax profits increased by 33.8 per cent to to £59.4m in [...]
Boxing day sales 2015: UK shoppers expected to spend over £3bn as John Lewis and Selfridges enjoy strong starts December 26, 2015 British shoppers are expected to spend heavily in this year's Christmas sales, with stores such as John Lewis already boasting of strong trading figures. According to figures from the Centre for Retail Research and vouchercodes.co.uk, around 22m shoppers will spend £3.74bn in sales this festive period – a six per cent increase on last year. Department [...]
Next’s share price falls as retailer reports disappointing sales, with warm weather deterring shoppers January 5, 2016 High street giant Next's share price fell this morning after it reported disappointing sales in the run up to Christmas, as the warm weather took its toll alongside growing competition online. The figures Sales over the 60 days to 24 December nudged up 0.4 per cent across the group, with Next Directory growing two per cent, [...]