Morrisons to cut dividend and post lowest profit in eight years March 9, 2015 Morrisons is expected to signal lower dividend payouts on Thursday this week when the troubled supermarket chain is to report its lowest annual profit in eight years. The Bradford-based retailer has been hit hard by the fierce industry price war as all big four supermarkets battle it out to retain customers’ loyalty and fend off [...]
Morrisons ex-treasurer and head of tax Paul Coyle sentenced to prison for insider trading March 3, 2015 The former group treasurer and head of tax at Morrisons has been sentenced to one year in prison for insider trading. The case, which brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), charged Paul Coyle with two counts of insider trading. Coyle was suspended from Morrisons back in January. Coyle pleaded guilty to both counts and [...]
From Greece and Natalie Bennett to the banks and London’s skyline: Here’s what got us talking this week February 27, 2015 There was a lot of talk about a dress. And quite a bit about the llama drama. But here at City A.M. Towers, we were obsessing about plenty of other things. Greece finally managed to break the stalemate over its debt, negotiating a four month extension with Germany, and ending weeks of debate about a [...]
Morrisons share price edges up as it names former Tesco man David Potts as chief exec February 25, 2015 Shares in embattled supermarket Morrisons opened one per cent higher this morning, after it named its new chief executive: former Tesco Asia boss David Potts. The supermarket launched its search for new boss in January, after chief executive Dalton Philips announced his departure. The appointment is part of a fresh start for the company: chairman Andrew [...]
Morrisons chairman Andrew Higginson adds Warburg Pincus to CV February 22, 2015 Private equity giant Warburg Pincus has signed up new Morrisons chairman Andrew Higginson as a senior advisor for the firm, it came to light yesterday. It is thought the experienced retailer will help Warburg identify possible acquisitions – not limited to the retail sector – in a part-time role. Higginson’s relationship with Warburg dates back [...]
Morrisons’ hunt for a new chief moves closer to check-out with ex-Tesco boss David Potts in pole position February 22, 2015 Morrisons is close to announcing the appointment of a new chief executive, with former Tesco executive David Potts said to be in pole position for the job. The Bradford-based supermarket group is expected to make an announcement within weeks after last month ousting Dalton Philips, who failed to revive its fortunes. Potts was Tesco’s longest [...]
German discounters Aldi and Lidl take 10 per cent slice of UK grocery sector February 13, 2015 Discounters Aldi and Lidl now account for more than 10 per cent of the UK's grocery sales, taking £1 in every £9.31 spent at supermarkets in the last three months. The German retailers' combined market share stood at 10.7 per cent for the 12 weeks to January 31, up from 9.3 per cent last [...]
Dalton Philips to leave Morrisons on Monday while search for replacement continues February 12, 2015 Dalton Philips is leaving Morrisons next Monday, leaving Trevor Strain to take on the role on an interim basis. The ailing supermarket revealed Philips was leaving last month, prompting Morrison's share price to rise. Although it said the search for a replacement was “progressing well”, he is stepping down well before anyone is in place [...]
Morrisons, Tesco, Ocado and Marks & Spencer’s share prices soar after UK food sector shows signs of growth February 10, 2015 Supermarkets led the FTSE 100 higher this afternoon, after figures revealed the grocery sector was in growth once again. Morrisons' share price had recorded the biggest gains at pixel time, rising 5.5 per cent. This was on the back of Kantar figures out this morning, showing its sales had fallen 0.4 per cent, the [...]
Tesco’s share price jumps as Kantar figures reveal the supermarket has grown sales for first time in a year – but it is still losing market share February 10, 2015 Tesco's share price jumped nearly two per cent this morning after figures revealed it had grown for the first time since January 2014. The UK's biggest retailer recorded sales growth of 0.3 per cent to £7.9bn for the 12 weeks to February 1, according to Kantar Worldpanel. But that was not enough to stem the [...]