When will it stop? Boohoo upgrades sales forecast yet again February 28, 2017 Boohoo has upgraded its sales forecast yet again, saying this morning that sales will double this year. Previously, Boohoo said its sales growth would be in the range of 46-48 per cent for the full year to 28 February. The online retailer, which targets millennials, said it had also improved its operations, meaning its margins [...]
KFC is advertising a suspicious (and gross) new “clean eating” burger – and everyone is suspicious February 28, 2017 KFC has either leaped, feet-first, onto the clean eating bandwagon – or it is expertly trolling the internet. The fried chicken chain has unveiled its new "clean eating burger" – a chia seed cauliflower "bun", unsweetened almond yoghurt, spiralized chicken breast, 100 per cent British kale, and an "ice cube relish". Er – yum? The fast [...]
Greggs hikes dividend as healthy food sales help boost profits February 28, 2017 Greggs has reported a jump in sales for last year, and has hiked its dividend after growing profits – but the baker is looking at job cuts as it aims for greater supply chain efficiency. The figures Total sales rose seven per cent to £894.2m from £835.7m, while company-managed like-for-like sales (which excludes franchises) went up [...]
Convenience store chain McColl’s scores sixth year of sales growth February 27, 2017 McColl’s Retail Group said yesterday that its full-year revenue increased 1.9 per cent to £950.4m, up from £932.2m in 2015. Total like-for-like sales were down 1.9 per cent, in a trend that was consistent with prior year performance. Read more: Christmas come early: CMA approves McColl's acquisition of 298 Co-op stores Profit before tax came [...]
Tesco is removing 1,700 deputy managers from its stores February 27, 2017 Around 1,700 Tesco employees face an uncertain future as the business eliminates a layer of management and replaces the jobs with lower-paid roles. The UK's biggest supermarket is replacing deputy managers in its "Express" convenience stores and creating 3,300 new, lower-paid "shift leader" jobs. Read more: Why Tesco could be better off leaving Booker on the shelf [...]
Network Rail bags £743m for retailers in its stations in 2016 February 27, 2017 Retailers in Network Rail stations cashed in on commuters' Christmas shopping last year, boosting sales by 3.7 per cent in the final quarter of 2016, bringing the total sales to £743m. In the quarter, shoppers spent nearly £185m in Network Rail stations, such as Paddington, King's Cross, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street. Read more: Retail sales bounce [...]
Discretionary income is “fading fast” as fuel prices squeeze families February 27, 2017 Growth in discretionary income is "fading fast" as fuel prices soared in January. UK families had an average £205 of disposable income available each week last month, according to Asda's income tracker, up 3.5 per cent on the same month the year before. Read more: Alarm bells sound over rising costs and inflation However growth [...]
Primark owner warns benefit of sterling’s fall will only last so long February 27, 2017 Primark owner Associated British Foods' (ABF) share price edged downwards this morning after it warned its boost from the devaluation of sterling will fade later in this year. The figures In its trading update, ABF said it expects Primark sales to be 11 per cent higher, when measured at constant currency, but that this growth would be "driven [...]
Primark import costs expected to hit sales margins February 26, 2017 Primark's tightening margins could cause concern for its owner, Associated British Foods (ABF) and shareholders next week when the company releases its next trading update. Import costs have risen for the clothing retailer since the pound weakened, with 3 in every 4 of Primark's purchase invoices being billed in US dollars. Yet the budget brand [...]
January gym bunnies have sent visits to this budget chain soaring February 26, 2017 One of the UK's fastest-growing budget gym chains received a massive boost during January, as exercise enthusiasts bent on achieving their New Year's resolutions went crazy for cardio and whacky for workouts. Pay-as-you-go The Gym Group said the number of people with visiting its branches rose 21 per cent in the year to January – that's [...]