Debenhams in talks with Aviva to offload executive pensions January 12, 2020 Struggling retailer Debenhams is in talks with Aviva about the insurer buying out its executive pension scheme, which holds more than £200m assets. Debenhams is closing in on the deal as it shutters dozens of its department stores around the country, Sky News reported. It would guarantee that members of the executive pension scheme enjoy [...]
Beales on the brink of collapse in difficult weekend for high street January 12, 2020 Department store chain Beales was on the brink of collapse today in what has been a torrid period for the high street. The Bournemouth-based company is set to go into administration if it is unable to complete a sale, according to reports. In December, Beales appointed KPMG to launch a strategic review including assessing a potential sale. [...]
Outgoing John Lewis boss Paula Nickolds in line for £750,000 payoff January 12, 2020 The outgoing managing director of John Lewis Partnership is in line for a £750,000 payoff. Paula Nickolds announced her departure last week following the company’s profit warning, just three months after being appointed as the partnership’s head of brand. The Sunday Times reported that Nickolds was offered a payoff at the time of the restructuring, [...]
WH Smith faces backlash over new chief executive’s pension package January 11, 2020 WH Smith has been criticised by investors for the size of its new chief executive’s pension contribution. Carl Cowling is being paid a pension contribution worth 12.5 per cent of his salary. The Investment Association has issued its strongest-possible objection to the payment, which it says is not in line with the average employee, as [...]
Takeaway.com’s Just Eat offer hits 80 per cent approval threshold January 10, 2020 Takeaway.com’s £5.9bn offer to takeover Just Eat has been accepted by 80.4 per cent of shareholders in a meeting held today. The online food delivery marketplace’s improved offer has been accepted after surpassing the 80 per cent threshold. It means the takeover is now unconditional and will go ahead, with those yet to accept the [...]
Joules shares plummet on profit warning January 10, 2020 Fashion retailer Joules warned profits will fall below expectations today after a challenging Christmas period, triggering a plunge in its shares. The company expects annual pre-tax profits to be “significantly” lower than a forecast £16.7m due to supply chain issues. Read more: Superdry warns profits could hit zero months after Dunkerton’s triumphant return Joules saw [...]
Selfridges’ Christmas sales boosted by vegan food and toys January 10, 2020 Selfridges enjoyed a five per cent growth in sales in the 24 days leading up to Christmas fueled by increasing demand for vegan food. The department store saw growth of 96 per cent in vegan confectionery sales, while a newly-launched vegan hamper sold out. Read more: Selfridges to open permanent cinema on Oxford Street The [...]
Superdry shares plunge as it warns profit could hit zero January 10, 2020 Superdry witnesses its stock plummet in early trading today after issuing a dramatic profit warning on the back of underwhelming sales over its peak Christmas trading period. The fashion retailer now expects underlying profit before tax to range up to £10m, but warned it could vanish altogether after booking “lower than anticipated” retail sales of [...]
Lidl sales grow 11 per cent over Christmas period January 10, 2020 Lidl UK saw an 11 per cent increase in sales over the Christmas period, outshining bigger supermarket rivals, its latest trading update revealed today. The German discount supermarket group said it was the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket over the four weeks ending 29 December. Read more: Lidl sales help it hit record stake [...]
Game calls for ‘realistic’ rents as it closes 40 stores across the UK January 9, 2020 Game today urged its landlords to set “realistic” rents as the retailer confirmed it will close 40 stores across the country. The video game chain, which is owned by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, had already served notice to 13 sites, including Watford, Canterbury and Leicester. Read more: Sports Direct set for Game Digital takeover after [...]