The founder of Yulife on avoiding the grey-suit mentality of the insurance industry August 19, 2019 Dressed in a tie-dye T-shirt and jeans, Sammy Rubin looks more like a climate change activist than the chief executive of an insurance company. But then, there’s a lesson on why you shouldn’t judge people on how they look. Indeed, there are many things we can learn from Rubin – his hippyish dress-sense feeds right [...]
Klarna becomes Europe’s most valuable fintech in $460m raise August 6, 2019 Online payments giant Klarna has scooped up another $460m in an equity funding round led by Dragoneer, which values the fintech firm at $5.5bn. Other investors included Commonwealth Bank of Australia, HMI Capital, Starling Bank investor Merian Chrysalis, Forsta AP-Fonden, IPGL, Institutional Venture Partners and several funds managed by Blackrock. Swedish-born Klarna said it will [...]
Joules defies retail anguish with growth across the board July 23, 2019 Clothes store Joules this morning announced a double-figures spike in profit despite tough high street conditions. The full-year results will be the last for outgoing CEO Colin Porter, who said the firm was “well-positioned for continued success”. Read more: Joules lures in top Asda director as new chief executive The figures Pre-tax profit rose 14.9 [...]
Has ASOS just issued its third and final profits warning? July 23, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. With ongoing operational issues aplenty, investor confidence hinges on a belief in stock market adages. Warehouse troubles drove ASOS (LSE:ASC) to a third profits warning in less than a year as the fast-fashion giant slipped even further behind the market value of upstart rival Boohoo Group (LSE:BOO). Shares dived as much as 22 per cent [...]
UK retail industry battles ‘toughest ever’ trading conditions July 22, 2019 The health of the UK retail industry is on the brink of falling to record lows as shops battle some of the “toughest trading conditions they’ve ever experienced”. The Retail Health Index, which takes into account consumer demand, gross margins and costs, fell from 77 to 76 in the second quarter, financial services firm KPMG [...]
DEBATE: Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? July 22, 2019 Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? Ben Askins, managing director at Verb Brands, says YES. “Sorry I didn’t get back to you, I was on the Tube” is an anecdote that our grandchildren will be shocked by. While it’s true that no one will be able to stop the incoming onslaught [...]
Homebase closes in on Bathstore takeover July 19, 2019 Homebase is set to buy struggling retailer Bathstore after the UK’s largest bathroom specialist fell into administration three weeks ago. Administrators BDO have since been looking for a buyer to save the flagging chain, and now Homebase are close to agreeing a deal, according to The Telegraph. Read more: Homebase named UK’s worst retail website [...]
Asos profit warning: Three factors behind online retailer’s fall from grace July 18, 2019 Shares in fast fashion retailer Asos plummeted this morning as the online marketplace warned that profits will be lower than expected this year. The company blamed this morning’s profit warning – its second in just over six months – on operational issues at new warehouse facilities in Europe and the US. Operational issues plague retail [...]
Growing pains: Asos share price plunges after fresh profit warning July 18, 2019 Online fashion giant Asos suffered a double-digit drop in its share price this morning after warning that profits will be lower than expected this year, citing new troubles in its international warehouse facilities. In its second profit warning in just over six months, the firm said today that it was reducing its forecasts as it [...]
Retailer Koovs hangs hopes on 2020 growth despite drop in sales July 17, 2019 Indian fashion retailer Koovs said it is on track for a return to growth in 2020, despite a decline in sales over the last 12 months. The London-listed firm posted net sales of £7.5m in 2019, down from £9.6m the previous years, while revenue was flat at £6.4m. Shares in Koovs dropped more than six [...]