Gap ‘mulling’ sale of China business March 8, 2021 Clothing firm Gap is reportedly mulling the sale of its Chinese business as one of a number of options for overhauling its operations in the world’s second largest economy. Sources told Bloomberg that the retailer was working with an adviser over and had made overtures to several potential suitors over the sale. Having entered the [...]
Agnelli family buy 24 per cent stake in Christian Louboutin March 8, 2021 Italy’s Agnelli family is continuing its expansion into the luxury world announcing it has bought a stake in Christian Louboutin. The dynasty has snapped up a 24 per cent stake for €541m through its holding company Exor, valuing the brand at €2.3bn. The company is set to appoint two of the seven members on the [...]
Britons will not splurge Covid-19 savings on post-lockdown spending spree, says OBR March 8, 2021 Britons will not embark on a post-lockdown spending spree with funds saved during the Covid crisis, according to a senior member of the UK’s budgetary watchdog. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) committee member Sir Charlie Bean told MPs today that of the £180bn in excess savings Britons have accumulated during Covid-19, only “a relatively [...]
GameStop shares jump 30 per cent following e-commerce commitment March 8, 2021 Shares in GameStop jumped 30 per cent today to nearly $180 per share, after the American video game retailer formed a committee to transform it into an e-commerce business. Gamestop’s share price hit its highest since January today, on the news that it chose shareholder Ryan Cohen as the head of a new committee to [...]
Fries and Prejudice: Burger King accused of using ‘sexism as clickbait’ in latest tweet March 8, 2021 Burger King was accused of using “sexism as clickbait” today, after posting an attention-grabbing tweet for International Women’s Day. This morning the fast food chain tweeted: “Women belong in the kitchen.” The controversial tweet was timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, a day that celebrates the achievements of woman around the world. Burger King [...]
Hotels, restaurants and pubs ‘optimistic’ about bounce back in trading March 8, 2021 Many hotel, restaurant and pub firms are “optimistic” about the future despite the pressures of the Covid-19 crisis, with most expecting trading to bounce back by the end of the year, a survey showed. Hotel businesses had the most positive outlook, with 83 per cent of the operators surveyed saying they were confident about future [...]
Exclusive: London pubs, restaurants and hotels to claim almost £200m in restart grants March 8, 2021 London pubs, restaurants and hotels are set to receive almost £200m in extra government grants to help them reopen after the latest coronavirus lockdown. Around 13,000 hospitality businesses across the capital will be eligible to claim £184.2m in the restart grants, City A.M. can reveal. Research by real estate adviser Altus Group showed 3,632 pubs [...]
Marks & Spencer expands online presence to more than 100 markets with launch of 46 new websites March 8, 2021 Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched 46 new flagship websites across the world, expanding its online reach to more than 100 countries. The launch, announced this morning, is part of M&S’s plan to “turbocharge” its online business, and almost doubles the number of international markets where it has a pureplay online presence. In it’s most [...]
The Week Ahead: ITV, Rolls Royce, Morrison, ECB and UK GDP data March 8, 2021 It’s Monday morning. City A.M. looks ahead at what this week has in store. China Trade for February This morning – The Chinese economy finished 2020 on a strong note, its surplus hitting a record high in December. Exports rose by 18.1 per cent, slightly down from November’s 21.1 per cent but still better than expected, [...]
Footwear retailer Shoe Zone suspends dividend until 2025 March 8, 2021 Footwear retailer Shoe Zone this morning said it has suspended its dividend until it is able to pay off its £12m in debt, which it does not expect to be until 2025 at the earliest. The firm – which had been debt free for 15 years – said borrowing had rocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. [...]