Paperchase braced for store closures March 5, 2019 Embattled stationary retailer Paperchase proposed a controversial restructuring process last night, as it became the latest high street chain to opt for store closures amid a swathe of industry-wide challenges. The group, which is set to shut down five of its 145 stores while putting another 23 at risk of closure amid efforts to slash their rent [...]
Direct Line operating profits slip as it warns on impact of no-deal Brexit March 5, 2019 Direct Line posted a fall in full-year earnings this morning, with the blue-chip insurer striking a cautious tone over threats of a "disruptive Brexit". In outgoing boss Paul Geddes’ final annual results statement for Britain's largest motor insurer, operating profits dipped during the 12 months and the total dividend payout was slashed. "The increased focus on [...]
Corporate insolvencies boost puts Begbies Traynor on track to meet expectations March 5, 2019 Corporate insolvencies rose by ten per cent in 2018, consultancy firm Begbies Traynor said in a trading update this morning, as it reported it was on track to meet full-year expectations. The restructuring firm announced it had seen a “good flow” of insolvency appointments in the three months to the end of January this year, [...]
Pay politicians £500,000 each per year and maybe we’d get better quality MPs March 5, 2019 Few people are as hawkish on government spending as me. However, there is one area where taxpayers should be willing to spend much, much more: the salaries of our members of parliament. Last week, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority announced that MPs’ basic pay was to increase by 2.7 per cent to £79,468 from 1 April. [...]
The high street can be saved if physical shops and online retailers collaborate and use data March 5, 2019 In January, affiliate marketing company Awin released research showing that 39 per cent of Britons wouldn’t really mind if we lost all high street stores altogether, with over a third of respondents saying that they “almost never” shopped there anyway. News stories about high street stalwarts being in the doldrums have become a recurring theme, from [...]
Automakers and the tech giants are battling over the future of the car industry March 5, 2019 More than 100 years after the petrol-powered car passed go for the first time – and despite worldwide sales at a record high in 2018 – stress fractures are starting to appear. Tesla is on track to outsell both BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the US, car sales in China are declining for the first time in [...]
John Laing’s diverse portfolio drives global expansion at green-focused infrastructure firm March 5, 2019 Infrastructure investment company John Laing’s shares rose this morning as it announced strong growth in net asset value per share over the course of 2018. The group said it had resisted the global climate of political and economic uncertainty which has stymied infrastructure investment in some regions by maintaining a diverse portfolio. Share rose one [...]
DX delivers the goods as it narrows losses and improves sales March 5, 2019 DX Group hailed “encouraging progress” in its half-year results today as it narrowed losses and boosted revenue. Read more: St Modwen cashes in on fast-growing logistics sector as asset values rise The results Revenue rose seven per cent year on year to £157m while its loss before tax dropped from £14.1m in the same period [...]
Debenhams issues fresh profit warning as expectations are ‘no longer valid’ March 5, 2019 Debenhams warned this morning that its profit expectations for the current year were "no longer valid", as a combination of increased financing costs and market uncertainties signalled further disruption for the embattled department store chain. The high street retailer has withdrawn its full-year outlook today, saying discussions with stakeholders have "now progressed to include options to [...]
British American Tobacco hit with £436m damages claim from Canada court cases March 5, 2019 British American Tobacco (BAT) has taken a £436m charge related to Canadian court cases, it said today. Read more: No smoke without fire in BAT boardroom The tobacco giant must pay the money to smokers from Quebec who said cigarette firms did not warn them of the risks associated with smoking. The companies at fault [...]