Alive and kicking: JD Sports thrives in struggling high street environment September 11, 2018 JD Sports sprinted ahead of its high street rivals as it boosted both profit and revenue margins in its interim results today. The figures The shoe and sportswear retailer posted a 35 per cent year-on-year hike in revenue to £1.85bn for the six months to the end of August while profits before tax stepped up [...]
Debenhams rushes out surprise update after its shares plunge to record low September 10, 2018 Debenhams looked to quell investor concern about the company's financial situation by rushing out a surprise trading update today which showed profits were slightly below expectations. The firm shocked the market by releasing its results a month early, saying it expected profits to be within the market range of £31m to £36m, falling just short of its expected [...]
Jamie Oliver joins up with Tesco with new healthy recipe remit September 10, 2018 Chef Jamie Oliver has entered into a partnership with supermarket giant Tesco, seven years after leaving an 11-year advertising gig with rival Sainsbury's that saw him earn over £10m. The chef and best-selling author, whose fee has not been disclosed, is producing recipes and healthy eating tips for Tesco, aiming to “change eating habits”. “I’m [...]
888 launches first sports betting site in US as British firms capitalise on legalisation September 10, 2018 Online gaming company 888 has launched its first sports site in the US in a bid to capitalise on the legalisation of sports betting in the country. It follows recent moves by William Hill and Paddy Power Betfair to expand across the pond following a US Supreme Court ruling in May that struck down a [...]
Debenhams share price tumbles as firm mulls over rescue plan September 10, 2018 Shares in high street retailer Debenhams crashed 17 per cent this morning after it emerged the firm had brought in KPMG to advise on a number of options to save the struggling company. Debenhams has had a gruelling year, announcing three profit warnings so far alongside a raft of job cuts, causing its share price to tank [...]
About time: Richemont appoints new chief exec after leaving position empty for two years September 10, 2018 Swiss luxury goods firm Richemont has appointed a chief executive after leaving the position unfilled for almost two years. The owner of brands like Cartier and Montblanc said its chief operating officer Jérôme Lambert would step in as boss. It marks a u-turn by chairman and controlling shareholder Johann Rupert, who got rid of the chief executive role [...]
Retail footfall figures dropped in August due to heatwave and inflation September 10, 2018 The summer heatwave and food price inflation halted three months of retail footfall growth on the high street in August. Overall retail footfall dropped by 1.6 per cent on the previous year, with the sharper decline due to rising food inflation, which left shoppers with less money for non-essential items, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed [...]
Sweet relief: Primark boosts revenue to alleviate owner ABF’s sugar woes September 10, 2018 Despite a gloomy outlook for retailers, Primark expects to increase revenue by 1.5 per cent to boost profits this financial year, offsetting a fall in sugar prices in Europe for owner Associated British Foods (ABF). Strong first and second half sales are expected to help the budget clothes brand to post the increase, with UK [...]
John Lewis could face profit hit after heavy discounting September 9, 2018 Retailer the John Lewis Partnership may take a £50m hit to profits after slashing prices this summer in the wake of the collapse of House of Fraser. The Waitrose-owner was forced to cut prices after department chain House of Fraser collapsed into administration leading to mass stock clearance. Read more: Changing tastes shows retail’s centre [...]
Debenhams calls in top auditors to weigh up potential insolvency September 9, 2018 Embattled department store chain Debenhams has called in Big Four accountancy firm KPMG to help carry out desperate restructuring measures which could include a controversial insolvency process. Among the contingency options currently being weighed up by KPMG is a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which is an insolvency option that can be used to close stores [...]