Dragons’ Den tycoon to sell a substantial stake in his £350m health and leisure business August 23, 2018 Former Dragon's Den investor Duncan Bannatyne is shopping around a "substantial" minority stake in his hotel-to-gym empire, which could value the business at £350m. Two years on from an abandoned flotation of the business, Bannatyne has hired DC Advisory to attract entrepreneurs towards his health and fitness chain Bannatyne Group, Sky News first reported. The group itself [...]
Chinese behemoth Alibaba hails significant revenue hike, despite profit blip August 23, 2018 Alibaba today bolstered its position as China’s largest online retailer, revealing revenue growth of 61 per cent for its first quarter. The group published an income of 80.9bn yuan (£9.2bn) in the three months ending June, marginally ahead of forecasts, and an increase in customers on the Taobao shopping platform as 576m people flocked to the website and app, up four [...]
Iceland to take over a handful of former Poundworld stores while rescue deal falls through August 23, 2018 Iceland is to take over a handful of former Poundworld stores, but a deal to save another chunk of the chain's estate has now fallen through. The retailer closed the last of its 335 stores earlier this month, after crashing into administration in June. The Henderson family announced two weeks ago that they would take [...]
Hungry? Now you can order from Deliveroo restaurants via Google Maps August 23, 2018 Deliveroo is now firmly embedded in Google Maps, giving London’s workers even less reason to leave their desks at lunchtime. The food delivery firm’s integration with the desktop, mobile web and mobile app versions of Maps means hungry City staff scanning restaurant details online can choose to have their meal of choice delivered directly to [...]
The CMA has officially launched a probe into the Sainsbury’s Asda merger August 23, 2018 The competition watchdog has officially launched an investigation into the proposed mega-merger between supermarkets Sainsbury's and Asda. Pricing, quality and the range of products at both businesses will come under scrutiny as the competition and markets authority (CMA) tries to determine if a tie-up will have a negative effect for UK consumers. The regulator will [...]
BrewDog reports a jump in sales for the year so far as global expansion plans get into full swing August 23, 2018 BrewDog has reported a jump in sales so far this year, as it provided a half-year update for more than 85,000 investors. The figures Overall revenue at the Scottish craft beer maker reached £78m in the first half, up by 55 per cent on the previous period. Some £10m was generated through BrewDog's bar division, marking an [...]
Playtech profits fall due to “disappointing” Asian markets as chairman scoops pay rise August 23, 2018 Gambling software manufacturer Playtech has reported a 34 per cent in profits due to “disappointing” Asian markets. The gaming and casino software provider said adjusted net profit had fallen to €83.3m (£74.8m) in the first half of the year, despite revenue rising four per cent. Despite the profits falls, the company awarded chairman Alan Jackson [...]
Shares climb higher for Franco Manca’s owner as sales heat up August 23, 2018 Shares in Franco Manca owner The Fulham Shore are trading higher this morning after the company struck a more positive note in its latest trading update. The company, which also owns The Real Greek, has previously warned of a dip in sales at some of its sites and taken action to slow down its rate [...]
Pensions watchdog says Dominic Chappell knew BHS was insolvent when he bought it for £1 August 22, 2018 Dominic Chappell knew that BHS was insolvent when he bought it for just £1, the pensions watchdog has claimed. It follows fresh revelations in June that the retailer may not have been solvent in 2015, despite being signed off as a going concern by accountants. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has already fined PwC a record £10m [...]
Luke Johnson still ‘optimistic’ on leisure sector after selling stake in restaurant group Ego August 22, 2018 Veteran restaurant investor Luke Johnson has said he is still "optimistic" about the leisure sector despite recent high-profile failures. His comments came after it was confirmed that he has sold his stake in 3Sixty, the parent company of 17-strong restaurant chain Ego, to hospitality behemoth Mitchells and Butlers for what he told City A.M. was [...]