Russian budget retailer Fix Price targets London listing February 15, 2021 Russian budget retailer Fix Price this morning announced plans to launch a London listing. The company, which is the largest value retailer in Russia, said the potential initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange would allow it to pursue growth and international expansion. Fix Price, which launched in 2007, has more than 4,200 stores [...]
New Ocado finance chief to take helm next month February 15, 2021 British online grocer Ocado said on Monday that its new chief financial officer Stephen Daintith will start his role on 22 March. Ocado had announced in August that Daintith, the current finance chief of Rolls-Royce, would be joining the group. Daintith has previously held senior roles at Daily Mail and General Trust, Dow Jones and [...]
Mitchells & Butlers seeks £350m cash injection as major shareholders take control February 15, 2021 Major shareholders in Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the owner of All Bar One and Toby Carvery, have taken control of the pub group as it seeks to raise £350m to keep it afloat. The firm said this morning that it intends to raise £350m through an underwritten fully preemptive open offer to address its “significant [...]
Court papers detail Grant Thornton’s alleged errors in Patisserie Valerie audits February 14, 2021 FRP Advisory has reportedly filed legal documents detailing Grant Thornton’s alleged errors in its auditing of Patisserie Valerie after launching a £225m court claim against the professional services firm. FRP Advisory, liquidator to the cafe chain, said the auditor’s negligence meant Patisserie Valerie bosses were unaware the firm had run out of funds. It alleges [...]
Made.com considers public listing amid pandemic boom February 12, 2021 Online retailer Made.com is said to be mulling an IPO after a bumper year of sales amid the pandemic. The furniture specialist is in talks with banks about its options, which could include a public listing valuing the company at more than £500m, according to Sky News. City A.M. understands Made.com has not yet appointed [...]
Exclusive: Online retail sales record five years growth in 12 months due to pandemic February 12, 2021 Online retail sales recorded five years of growth in just 12 months as the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the shift to digital shopping, the latest research showed. E-commerce sales accounted for 19 per cent of retail spending in 2019 compared to 28 per cent 2020 after restrictions and lockdowns forced consumer spending online and away from [...]
ONS: Pandemic impact cuts through all major sectors February 12, 2021 The ONS published sector figures for services, trade, construction and production output this morning. Services The Index of Services grew by 1.7 per cent between November and December last year. The largest contribution to monthly growth was accommodation and food service activities, rising by more than 25 per cent. In December, the Index of Services [...]
Lastminute.com threatened with legal action over unpaid package holiday refunds February 12, 2021 Travel platform Lastminute.com is facing legal action from the UK competition watchdog unless it repays customers whose package holidays have been cancelled due to the pandemic. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned the firm that it will take court action unless Lastminute processes the repayments – totalling £1m – within seven days. On 1 [...]
Flutter: Gambling industry is listening, and responding, to addiction concerns February 12, 2021 This week sees the close of the Gambling Commission’s consultation on customer interaction, which includes proposals to set stricter affordability assessments for UK online punters. It is an important issue for anyone with a view on gambling and will be a significant part of the Government’s review into the Gambling Act which is currently calling [...]
Last orders: US private equity giant calls time on bid to buy pub chain Marston’s February 11, 2021 Platinum Equity Advisors today announced its intention to pull out of its bid to buy British brewer and pub chain owner Marston’s. Marston’s, which runs around 1,400 pubs, rejected a £690m takeover offer from the US private equity firm last month, claiming that the bid undervalued the company. The British Hobgoblin brewer has seen shares [...]