Waitrose and discounters thriving September 24, 2013 DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi saw year-on-year sales growth of a record 32.7 per cent in the 12 weeks to 15 September, according to new industry data, as upmarket rival Waitrose also upped market share. Waitrose achieved growth of 9.7 per cent year-on-year, Kantar Worldpanel said, well above market growth of 4.2 per cent. But Tesco, which [...]
My eggs need crack at Europe, says Mourinho September 17, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho resurrected his egg analogy yesterday as he lauded the benefits of Champions League football but denied winning the competition had become his obsession. Mourinho was asked to compare his current group of players to eggs, as he memorably did six years ago on the eve of what would be the last [...]
John Lewis first half profits take £50m hit after holiday pay error September 12, 2013 JOHN LEWIS said yesterday it was looking forward to positive trading in the second half after a review of its holiday pay policy dragged first half profits down 38.5 per cent. The department store group booked an exceptional £47.3m charge after discovering an error in the way it had calculated pay for Sundays and bank [...]
Sainsbury’s sales boost retailer to a larger share of the market August 28, 2013 SAINSBURY’S has successfully raised its share of the market through 2013, with sales growing as other retailers slip behind. In the 12 weeks to 18 August, Sainsbury’s saw a 49 per cent hike in sales, when compared to the same period last year, rising from £3.86bn to £4.05bn. According to the figures, collected from 30,000 [...]
John Lewis is set to create a new restaurant August 14, 2013 JOHN Lewis is poised to launch a new restaurant concept in a move to diversify its catering range and attract more customers into its department stores. Chief executive Andy Street said while John Lewis’ restaurants and cafeterias were profitable and provided good quality, “middle of the road” food, they were not “cutting edge” brands. “There [...]
John Lewis is set to create a new restaurant August 11, 2013 JOHN Lewis is poised to launch a new restaurant concept in a move to diversify its catering range and attract more customers into its department stores. Chief executive Andy Street said while John Lewis’ restaurants and cafeterias were profitable and provided good quality, “middle of the road” food, they were not “cutting edge” brands. [...]
Waitrose buys Good Food Guide August 5, 2013 Waitrose has bought The Good Food Guide, and insisted yesterday that the restaurant reviewing magazine will remain independent. Waitrose said its purchase, for an undisclosed sum, includes the website as well as the 63-year-old magazine. “The Good Food Guide has a loyal following among our customers and we will continue to operate it as an [...]
Bargain Booze owner to raise £65m in London Aim listing July 17, 2013 THE COMPANY behind Bargain Booze announced plans yesterday to launch on London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim) as the north west-based off-licence chain looks to target thirsty shoppers in the south of England. Conviviality Retail, which also trades as Bargain Booze Plus, Select Convenience and Thorougoods, said it hopes to raise £60m to £65m through a [...]
Brothers who took a punt on a new market | City A.M. June 13, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks tobacco with Taz and Umer Sheikh: salesmen, business partners, and self-professed pioneers of the growing electronic cigarette industry SIX years ago, the smoking ban came into force in England, making it illegal to smoke in enclosed workplaces. So when I meet Umer Sheikh – the younger of the two Sheikh brothers behind [...]
Brothers who took a punt on a new market June 13, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks tobacco with Taz and Umer Sheikh: salesmen, business partners, and self-professed pioneers of the growing electronic cigarette industry SIX years ago, the smoking ban came into force in England, making it illegal to smoke in enclosed workplaces. So when I meet Umer Sheikh – the younger of the two Sheikh brothers behind [...]