Shares in Upper Crust owner SSP slump on economic uncertainty warning September 26, 2019 Shares in travel retail operator SSP Group, which owns Upper Crust and Ritazza, slipped five per cent this morning as it warned on the impact of airline capacity cuts and ongoing economic uncertainty. The firm said it expects group revenue to rise despite facing challenges including the grounding of Boeing Max 737 planes and protests [...]
Sofa retailer DFS warns fewer house sales will impact trading September 26, 2019 Furniture retailer DFS this morning warned that weakening consumer confidence and a slump in housing transactions has impacted sofa sales. The figures The company has changed its accounting reference date to 30 June, meaning this morning’s results cover a shortened 48 week period. Read more: DFS warns investors of volatile political threat to sales Profit [...]
Pearson share price drops as weak print sales hurt profit September 26, 2019 Pearson’s share price dived over 14 per cent this morning as it warned that profits will fall to the bottom of its guidance range this year. The education publishing brand said “weaker than expected” sales in its US higher education courseware division mean adjusted operating profit will hit £590m, far off the £640m it had [...]
US vaping deaths hit growth at Imperial Brands September 26, 2019 Imperial Brands warned this morning that it will fall short of expected growth in its vaping business after several deaths in the US were linked to e-cigarettes. The company said that events in recent weeks has caused a “marked slowdown” in growth of its vaping sector. There is no suggestion Imperial’s products caused the deaths. [...]
Peloton IPO: At-home exercise firm prices float at $29 per share September 26, 2019 Exercise bike firm Peloton has priced its initial public offering (IPO) at $29 per share to value the company at $8bn (£6.47bn). Peloton priced its float at the top of its $26 to $29 range last night as it looks to raise $1.16bn. Read more: Why Wework’s IPO strategy is not working for investors The [...]
Shepherd Neame turnover drops after contract losses September 25, 2019 Turnover at Shepherd Neame fell nearly seven per cent after the pub operator lost contracts with Asahi and Lidl. The brewer, which owns and operates 322 pubs in Kent and the south east, reported that turnover was down 6.9 per cent to £145.8m in the year ended 29 June, compared to £156.6m in 2018. Read [...]
Oasis and Warehouse profit rises as retailer mulls cuts September 25, 2019 Oasis and Warehouse Group reported a return to profit in its latest full-year results as the retailer prepares to cut jobs and contracted hours across its store portfolio. The high street chain said this morning that profit before tax was £1.6m, compared to a loss of £10.1m the previous year. Total sales were up 6.5 [...]
Philip Morris and Altria end merger talks and Juul boss steps down as vaping in spotlight over deaths September 25, 2019 Tobacco giants Philip Morris International and Altria have ended their merger talks after a series of deaths in the US raised questions about the future of vaping, which industry insiders had hailed as safer than cigarettes. “After much deliberation, the companies have agreed to focus on launching Iqos in the US as part of their [...]
Forever 21 exits Japan amid bankruptcy reports September 25, 2019 Forever 21 will reportedly close all 14 stores and its online shop in Japan amid reports that the fast fashion retailer is considering filing for bankruptcy protection. The firm will end all of its Japanese operations by the end of October, according to the Nikkei Asian Review. Read more: Forever 21 in UK launch It [...]
International growth boosts Boohoo profit September 25, 2019 Boohoo revenue and profit soared in the first half of the year driven by strong international growth at the fast fashion brand. The figures Revenue soared 43 per cent from £395.3m in the first half of 2018 to £564.9m in the first six months of this year. The company’s revenue was more than £1bn over [...]