Consumers’ own-label attitudes could pose a challenge to big brands November 30, 2016 Last week, Morrisons announced it was bringing back the Safeway brand. Originally a chain of supermarkets that the retailer absorbed in the mid-2000s, Morrisons has decided to launch a new range of own-label goods under the Safeway banner. An analysis of YouGov Profiles data shows that there are notable divergences among customers of certain supermarkets. [...]
Carlsberg is launching a £15m rebrand of its Carlsberg Export in a last-ditch effort to save lager November 29, 2016 Carlsberg announced it will spend £15m in marketing its Carlsberg Export brand, in a push to save the lager. The new design will reflect the brand's Danish heritage while giving it a more premium feel. Read more: Carlsberg falls flat as profits miss expectations The design takes inspiration from the cross on the Danish flag and incorporates the [...]
Diageo settled a lawsuit in North America over trademark infringement November 29, 2016 Diageo North America has settled a lawsuit with a US-based bourbon whiskey distiller and distributor over trademark law violations. Allied Lomar argued that Diageo infringed registered trademarks on the term "Stitzel" with the name of its Stitzel-Weller Bourbon distillery and brand labels including their Blade and Bow Bourbon. Allied, which said it first registered the [...]
Low-cost cakes beat Brexit blues as Patisserie Valerie’s owner reports profits and revenue are still growing November 29, 2016 Economic uncertainty doesn’t stop consumers from indulging in inexpensive cakes, the owners of Patisserie Valerie have found. Patisserie Holdings reported increased revenue and profits for the tenth consecutive year. The figures Revenue grew 13 per cent to £104.1m for the year ended 30 September, and online sales increased by 23 per cent to £3.8m. Profit before tax [...]
Spitfire owner lands five new pubs and draws down £25m from lenders November 29, 2016 The brewer best known for its Spitfire ale has agreed to splash-out £12m for five high-end Kent boozers. Shepherd Neame will buy Village Green Restaurants from Alex and Helen Bensley, who run the pubs in and around the garden of England. The five premises are no slouches, raking in an average of more than a million pounds of [...]
EasyHotel reveals solid growth and a “pipeline” to increase brand presence November 29, 2016 EasyHotel shares increased over one per cent as the "super budget" hotel brand announced the weak pound has created a strong market for inexpensive tourism in the UK. The figures Total system sales have increased 6.8 per cent to £21.3m from £20.0m in 2015, according to EasyHotel's final results for the year ended 30 September Read more: All eyes [...]
Topps Tiles shares lead the way on the small cap today November 29, 2016 Topps Tiles' shares were the best performers on the FTSE Small Cap today, jumping four per cent in trading after revealing its full-year financial performance. The figures Annual revenues nosed up just 1.3 per cent to £215m but profit before tax jumped 7.8 per cent to £22m. Gross margins – the incremental additional profit made on each unit sold [...]
Don’t listen to the “cabal” of elites trying to keep us in the EU, says Wetherspoon boss November 29, 2016 The boss of Britain's largest pub chain has attacked a "cabal of politicians and elite groups… fighting to overturn the [Brexit] decision" comparing them with "undemocratic and totalitarian" regimes of the past. Wetherspoon's chairman and founder Tim Martin, who was vocal in campaigning for Britain to leave the EU in the run-up to the Brexit vote, warned [...]
John Lewis just had the biggest week in its trading history with nearly £200m in sales thanks to Black Friday November 29, 2016 The jury may be out on the winner of the Christmas ad battle, but John Lewis has other reasons for festive cheer. The retailer has just revealed sales of £199.8m, up 6.5 per cent year-on-year, for the week up to 26 November. Spurred on by Black Friday and its price matching efforts on the "Never [...]
Iceland Foods wants to thaw dispute after Iceland the country announces legal action against the supermarket November 29, 2016 Iceland the country got a bit frosty with Iceland the retailer last week. And now Iceland Foods is seeking to smooth over any grievances, saying it seeks "peaceful coexistence" with the country. In a statement, the company said: "Following the regrettable outbreak of legal and verbal hostilities last week, the UK retailer Iceland Foods is urgently seeking [...]