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 [...]
Surely it was only a matter of time? Motorpoint breaks ranks and reveals Brexit impact November 29, 2016 Car dealer Motorpoint's share price fell three per cent this morning after blaming a "disappointing" first half of the year on the Brexit vote. The figures Revenue jumped 11.5 per cent to £408.9m in the six months to September. But operating profits flopped nearly a third – down from £10.3m to £7.0m. Motorpoint managed to keep its [...]
Merlin Entertainments reports strong Halloween period and says it’s on track to meet profit expectations in 2016 November 29, 2016 Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments said it's on track to grow profits and meet expectations for this year, in a trading update published this morning. The leisure group said its theme parks operating group "enjoyed a strong Halloween period", which was helped by good weather. In its midway attractions operating group, underlying trading has remained consistent with [...]
Shoppers spent over £2bn using Visa cards on Black Friday November 29, 2016 UK shoppers spent more than £2bn using Visa cards on Black Friday this year. The figure was up 13 per cent on last year's, and half of the spend was made online. Visa said that there has also been a strong uptake in contactless payments, across all age groups. Among those aged between 55 and [...]
Competition led sales to fall at one of the US’s first craft breweries. What’s next for the UK’s craft beer market? November 28, 2016 A major craft brewery in the United States reported sales were down as new craft beers crowd the market, but microbrewers in the UK shouldn’t worry, according to the Society of Independent Brewers. D.L. Geary Brewing Co., founded in 1983, was the first craft brewer in Portland, Maine, helping start the craft beer trend take off in [...]
Forget John Lewis – Wes Anderson has done a Christmas ad for H&M and people are going crazy about it November 28, 2016 Bow down, John Lewis, your ad has been well and truly trumped by this festive treat from H&M. Read more: Heartwarming and full of plot holes: Our review of John Lewis' Christmas ad The Swedish retailer has gone the extra mile and enlisted genius filmmaker Wes Anderson for its ad, titled "Come Together". Anderson has created [...]
Bingo! Stride Gaming sets its sights on further acquisitions after establishing a strong platform for growth November 28, 2016 Stride Gaming has hit the jackpot with recent acquisitions and strong organic growth adding up to revenue growth in its year-end results. The group will look for further acquisitions in the new financial year. The figures The bingo group's net gaming revenue increased 22 per cent to £47.8m, while profit before tax fell to £131,000 from £360,000 in 2015. Yield [...]
Thomas Cook reveals €300m bond raise in the hope of reducing core facilities by £200m November 28, 2016 Thomas Cook today revealed plans for a new corporate bond to raise at least €300m (£256m) in an attempt to strengthen its balance sheet. The travel group has a hefty £1bn on corporate bonds currently placed on the market and plans to use the latest issuance to fund repayment of £200m of bonds which mature in 2017 [...]