Supplier joins growing calls for investigation into House of Fraser collapse September 9, 2018 Mike Ashley’s calls for an insolvency investigation into House of Fraser’s former directors were backed by one of the department store’s major suppliers today. Tea Terrace boss Ehab Shouly told the Sunday Times that House of Fraser’s erstwhile bosses withheld vital information about the company prior to its collapse last month. One source close to [...]
Waterstones acquires Foyles bookshops as it squares up to Amazon September 7, 2018 Waterstones has announced the acquisition of the Foyles bookshops, saying the combined business will be stronger in the face of Amazon's "siren call". The 115-year old Foyles has seven shops including four in London, one of which is its large flagship on Charing Cross Road. Waterstones managing director James Daunt said he looked forward to "joining forces" [...]
Shoppers ditch high street in one of the worst Augusts on record for retail September 7, 2018 Shoppers ditched the high street in August, making it one of the worst months on record, new figures have shown. Sales dropped at their steepest rate for three years, accountancy and business advisory firm BDO said in its latest high street tracker, released today. The 2.7 per cent year-on-year decline also marked the seventh month in [...]
English whisky maker The Lakes Distillery considers IPO on London’s junior market September 7, 2018 English whisky maker The Lakes Distillery is mulling a listing on London's junior market, it revealed this morning. The company has appointed N+1 Singer as its nominated adviser and broker and convened a meeting to gain shareholder approval later this month. Lakes Distillery, which was founded in 2011, would look to raised up to £15m [...]
Greene King gets a World Cup boost as it presses ahead with pub sales September 7, 2018 Pub group Greene King sold 3.7m pints of beer during the World Cup, helping it to post solid growth figures ahead of its AGM today. But the company is to press ahead with cost-saving measures and making its estate smaller through the disposal of around 100 pubs this year. The figures In the 18 weeks to 3 [...]
Sports Direct offers loans to help stricken House of Fraser suppliers September 6, 2018 Sports Direct has offered loans to some of House of Fraser's stricken suppliers, it has emerged. Mike Ashley and his team will lend money to companies struggling after the retailer collapsed owing £70m to its suppliers, according to Drapers. Read more: Philip Day's Edinburgh Woollen Mill ends business with House of Fraser This comes just a [...]
Chapel Down bolsters position as UK’s largest winemaker with new vineyard September 6, 2018 Chapel Down has announced the acquisition of another patch of land in Kent, affirming its position as the largest producer of English wine. The site in Boxley adjoins the company's existing vineyards in the North Downs, meaning it will be able to create England's largest vineyard. It adds 388 acres of land which will be vined [...]
Grind snaps up former Jamie’s Italian site in Greenwich September 6, 2018 Fast-growing London coffee and restaurant brand Grind has snapped up a former Jamie's Italian site in Greenwich for its biggest site to date. The site on Nelson Road was one of 12 restaurants shuttered by Oliver's company at the start of this year as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). Grind now plans to [...]
Luxury retailer Anine Bing closes $15m series A led by Felix Capital, Index Ventures and Greycroft Partners September 6, 2018 Luxury womenswear brand Anine Bing has closed a $15m series A financing round led by London-based venture capital firms Felix Capital and Index Ventures and LA's Greycroft Partners. The retailer plans to use the funding to double its business between 2019 and 2020, and has aggressively accelerated sales and traffic. Read more: Challenger banking app Monese lands $60m funding round Over the last [...]
Burberry to stop burning unsold stock and ditch fur from collections September 6, 2018 Burberry has announced it will no longer destroy unsold items after widespread outrage from investors and campaigners to the practice. The luxury fashion house has also confirmed it will no longer use real animal fur in its collections, starting with new creative director Riccardo Tisci's debut show this month. Following the revelation in July that Burberry [...]