Retail M&A slowdown as private equity backs away from high street January 30, 2017 The value of UK retail mergers sunk to a three-year low in 2016, with just 36 mergers agreed – down from 47 in 2015 according to law firm RPC. The new figures released today suggest that total deal values have also slumped from £20.7bn down to just £4.7bn, a decline which outpaced a post-Brexit slowdown [...]
Ocado set to deliver impressive annual results with £1.27bn sales January 29, 2017 Grocery delivery service Ocado will announce its annual results on Tuesday, and is expected to report a profit for the third year in a row. The group's sales are likely to be up 14.4 per cent year-on-year to £1.27bn according to a report from investment company Goldman Sachs. Despite scepticism from City investors, the firm also [...]
American brand Under Armour in talks to buy French Connection Oxford Street store January 29, 2017 American sportswear brand Under Armour is reportedly in talks to take over French Connection's flagship London store on Oxford Street. British retailer French Connection has been seeking a sale of the building as part of a turnaround plan, according to The Sunday Telegraph. The troubled retailer has been under pressure from activist investors to change [...]
Competition watchdog could stop Tesco-Booker mega deal, claims retail body January 29, 2017 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) could stop Tesco's proposed £3.7bn takeover of Budgens and Londis owner Booker, according to a retail body that represents 33,500 local shops. "The CMA could either stop or put conditions on the deal," James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores told City A.M. "The deal was a [...]
A group of 111 former BHS staff are suing administrators over redundancy procedures January 29, 2017 Over 100 former BHS employees have launched a claim against the retailer's administrators over their alleged failure to consult staff before they were made redundant. Lancashire-based JWK Solicitors are representing the 111 staff that worked at BHS' headquarters in London. They allege administrators did not consult staff for at least 45 days before making them redundant. Due in April, [...]
Green must protect BHS pensioners or risk facing MPs again, warns Frank Field January 29, 2017 Pensions of former BHS workers must be protected under any deal struck by billionaire tycoon Sir Philip Green, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee Frank Field has said. Green, who sold BHS for £1 in March 2015 to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell, is nearing a £350m deal to save pensions of ex-BHS workers, Sky News reported [...]
More than 12 offers on the table for Agent Provocateur January 29, 2017 At least a dozen offers have been made for troubled lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, according to sources familiar with the chain's owner. Private equity company 3i put the retailer up for sale this month following disappointing December trading. The firm is seeking an offer which exceeds the brand's £30m debt pile. Sources close to the [...]
Five numbers that explain the merger between Tesco and Londis owner Booker January 27, 2017 This morning, Tesco announced it would be making the biggest supermarket merger in UK history and would be gobbling up wholesaler Booker Group. Here are five key numbers that explain the landmark deal. £3.7bn The deal has valued Booker at £3.7bn; each Booker shareholder will get 0.861 shares and 42.6p in cash for every Booker share. [...]
Tescooker? Everything you need to know about Tesco eating Booker January 27, 2017 The UK's largest supermarket, Tesco, announced this morning that it will merge with wholesaler and convenience store supplier Booker Group. Share pries for both companies flew, with Tesco finishing the day nine per cent higher, at 206.3p, while Booker rose 16 per cent to 212.3p – above Tesco's offer price. Here's everything you need to know about the [...]
As Tesco embarks on £3.7bn merger with wholesaler Booker Group, will other UK supermarkets follow suit? January 27, 2017 Tesco’s £3.7bn proposed merger with Booker, the UK’s largest food wholesaler, represents a change of commercial strategy for the supermarket giant. Following the firm’s decision to retract from some parts of their international operations, including the South Korean and Turkish arms of the business, this merger is another indication that Tesco is more comfortable operating [...]