English winemaker and crowdfunding veteran Chapel Down fizzes on US launch September 20, 2016 Leading English winemaker Chapel Down has uncorked a new partnership to send its sparkling wine to the US for the first time. The Kent-based producer has struck an agreement with luxury wine and spirit company ABCK Corp to distribute its wines to US bars, restaurants and retailers. Shipments totalling 10,000 bottles are planned between now [...]
“I do travel to work by helicopter” – Mike Ashley tries to seem humble on TV and fails September 20, 2016 Sports Direct's founder Mike Ashley has said this morning that he travels to work by helicopter "because it's more efficient". Ashley went on BBC breakfast this morning following an announcement that the company will be conducting an independent review of working practices and corporate governance, and answered questions about the moment he pulled out a wad [...]
Supermarket sales continue to edge upwards in the months following the Brexit vote September 20, 2016 Supermarket sales continued to edge upwards this month, increasing by 0.3 per cent for the three months ending 11 September. The growth was against a backdrop of price deflation of 1.1 per cent. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “While overall sales growth has been slow, consumers have been keen [...]
Sports Direct announces independent company will replace RPC to review working practices and corporate governance September 20, 2016 Sports Direct announced this morning that it would appoint a new independent party to conduct a review of its working practices and corporate governance – replacing RPC. Shares in the company were up 3.3 per cent mid-morning. [stockChart code="SPD" date="2016-09-20 11:15"] The embattled retailer said in a report released at the beginning of September [...]
Finsbury Food Group cooks up tasty 40 per cent profit growth with the help of artisan breads and Disney cakes September 19, 2016 Profits were up a tasty 40 per cent last year at cake and bread supplier Finsbury Food Group, as demand for premium breads and Disney celebration cakes pushed up growth. The figures Group revenue rose 25 per cent to £319.7m in the year ended 2 July, while adjusted operating profit grew 38 per cent to £17.1m. Finsbury [...]
Designer exports from the capital set to soar on the back of London Fashion Week September 19, 2016 London's high-end fashion brands are in high demand – and London Fashion Week is expected to boost exports even further. According to the Department of International Trade, the sales of UK designer clothes have grown by 20 per cent in the last decade and are now worth between £2.5bn and £2.9bn. As a whole, the UK [...]
Watch out ice cream: Frozen yoghurt maestros Sloane Brothers launch first site outside of London September 19, 2016 City summer staple Sloane Brothers Frozen Yoghurt is taking the battle against ice cream a step further with the opening of its first parlour outside of London. The Brick Lane-based froyo makers have opened their second site in Nottingham's Intu Victoria Centre. Sloane Bros focuses its frozen yoghurt toppings on classic British biscuits and desserts, and sources [...]
Kingsfisher is looking for a new London headquarters September 19, 2016 Kingfisher is looking for a new London headquarters, it has emerged, which is set to boost the commercial property market after the difficulties facing the sector following the Brexit vote. According to the Telegraph, the retailer behind B&Q and Screwfix is looking for a HQ of 300,000 square feet, and has appointed Cushman & Wakefield to find the [...]
Stride Gaming share price rises as online bingo group hits the jackpot and profits forecast to rise nearly two-thirds September 19, 2016 Online bingo group Stride Gaming's stock shot up more than 12 per cent this morning on news that the company's full-year profits will be above expectations and rise by almost two-thirds. Stride Gaming is anticipating a full house for the year ended 31 August, with net gaming revenue up 69 per cent to "not less [...]
Diageo weighs London job cuts to boost profits September 18, 2016 Drinks giant Diageo – owner of Guinness and Smirnoff brands – is finalising plans to slash jobs at its London headquarters. A review of staffing at offices in Park Royal, northwest London, is expected to significantly reduce the 1,500 headcount, though the axe is expected to fall across Diageo’s operations around the world. A productivity programme [...]