Cranswick upgrades profit as African Swine Fever boosts UK exports January 17, 2020 British butchers Cranswick said this morning that its full-year profit will beat expectations after export sales soared due to African Swine Fever. The company said “export sales have continued to be exceptionally strong”, as an outbreak of African Swine Fever in China has seen the demand for British pork rise. “African Swine Fever has created [...]
The Gym Group grows revenue after adding new sites and members January 17, 2020 Budget gym operator The Gym Group saw revenue jump last year after adding 70,000 new members. Total revenue in the year ended 31 December grew 23.6 per cent to £153.1m, up from £123.9m the previous year, as the gym chain opened new venues and persuaded new members to sign up. Total year-end membership numbers were [...]
Online growth offsets betting machine sales slump for Ladbrokes owner GVC January 17, 2020 Ladbrokes owner GVC Holdings this morning said full-year profit will be at the top end of guidance following strong growth in its online business. The betting firm said full-year earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation is expected to be at the top end of upgraded guidance of £670m to £680m. Online net gaming revenue [...]
Premier Foods boosts sales of festive favourites over Christmas period January 17, 2020 Premier Foods boosted sales over the Christmas period as customers stocked up on traditional festive food such as gravy, stuffing and mince pies. UK sales were up 3.6 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 December, as Mr Kipling sales grew 10 per cent following marketing investment and new product launches. The sale of [...]
UK retail sales decline knocks sterling lower January 17, 2020 UK retail sales fell in the “golden quarter” of Christmas trading, the latest statistics showed today in a further sign of the challenges facing the British high street. In the three months to December 2019, the amount spent and the quantity bought in the retail industry fell 0.9 per cent and one per cent respectively, [...]
Retail health hits record low in 2019 January 16, 2020 Retail health hit a record low last year as high street stores battled weak consumer demand and faced pressure to slash prices. The latest Retail Health Index published by a KPMG and Ipsos think tank hit a record low of 74 in 2019 – the worst result since the tracker was established in 2006. The [...]
Number of small pubs rises for first time in 15 years January 16, 2020 The number of small pubs and bars increased for the first time in 15 years last year, as consumers splashed the cash on meals out, according to the latest statistics. Small pubs and bars, which have fewer than 10 employees, increased by 85 – a 0.4 per cent rise – following more than a decade [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group to close six Jack Wills stores January 16, 2020 High street fashion brand Jack Wills has announced it will shut six stores, blaming “unhelpful” landlords for the closures. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which bought the fashion retailer out of administration for £12.8m last year, today said shops in Bournemouth, Camberley, Cheltenham, Soho, Turo and Witney will close within the next month. Ashley’s retail empire, [...]
Moss Bros’ transformation plan progresses despite sales slump January 16, 2020 Suit retailer Moss Bros said this morning that it is making headway with its transformation plan, despite reporting a dip in sales. The menswear store said it has made “good progress overall” in its bid to elevate the brand and improve long-term performance. Moss Bros said it has improved its retail gross margin rates in [...]
Pearson shares sink as print woes hurt 2020 profit target January 16, 2020 Investors sent Pearson’s share price down to its lowest level since 2008 in early trading today after the education publisher warned its painful shift to digital would drag into 2020. Pearson’s legacy print textbook business sank another 12 per cent over 2019, the firm said today as it predicted annual profit of £590m, at the [...]