Sir Richard Branson to make a third bid for the National Lottery November 24, 2019 Sir Richard Branson will make a third attempt to wrest control of the National Lottery from incumbent Camelot, almost twenty years on from the last of his past efforts. The decision to enter the running to displace the Canadian company as the lottery operator reignites a rivalry that in the past led to a High [...]
Shoe retailer Clarks calls in consultants amid store closure fears November 24, 2019 Struggling footwear retailer Clarks has called in management consultants to conduct a review of the business. The family-owned business, which this month reported an £82.9m loss after tax for last year, has reportedly hired McKinsey & Co as it plots a restructuring plan amid fears of store closures. Read more: Taking the shine off: Clarks [...]
Marks & Spencer hires ex-Tesco exec to fix struggling clothing division November 22, 2019 Marks & Spencer has named a new clothing boss to replace its ousted former head of the struggling division. Tesco’s former F&F clothing chief Richard Price will join as M&S’s new managing director of clothing home after Jill McDonald left the role in July. Read more: Poor clothing sales knock M&S’s half-year profit lower Marks [...]
Wetherspoons shareholders back Tim Martin after corporate governance row November 21, 2019 Outspoken JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has emerged victorious from his clash with a proxy adviser after shareholders voted overwhelmingly in his support. More than 98 per cent of investors voted to re-elect Martin, who founded the company in 1979, as executive chairman at the budget pub chain’s annual general meeting today. Read more: Wetherspoons [...]
Retail landlord New River REIT swings to a loss on weak investor sentiment November 21, 2019 Property landlord New River REIT swung to a loss in the first half of the year as its portfolio valuation sank due to weak investor sentiment in the retail sector. The FTSE-250 real estate investment trust, which focuses on retail and leisure properties, reported a loss of £21.3m from a profit of £2.7m last year. [...]
Footwear retailer Office’s chief executive quits after one year November 21, 2019 The chief executive of high street footwear retailer Office has stepped down after just a year in the role. Lorenzo Moretti has resigned after joining the company in December last year from his role as Sonos vice president of global retail. Read more: Office set to close up to half its 100 UK stores He [...]
From Greggs to Franco Manca: Britain’s favourite restaurants revealed November 21, 2019 A breakdown of Britain’s favourite restaurants by region is indicative of the greater cultural divide within the country. Even the difference in outer and inner London is telling. Read more: On a roll: Greggs upgrades profit forecast as sales increase A YouGov poll showed Inner London’s favourite restaurant is the trendy Mexican chain Wahaca, while [...]
Naked Wines boss heads for the exit November 21, 2019 Naked Wines surprised the City this morning after revealing the departure of its boss ahead of a major strategic shift in the business. Rowan Gormley is stepping down as chief executive once the disposal of the group’s Majestic brand is complete and the crucial Christmas trading season is over. Read more: Naked Wines sells wine [...]
DEBATE: Has Fever-Tree lost its fizz as growth in the UK slows down? November 21, 2019 Has the fizz gone out of tonic water maker Fever-Tree as growth in its core UK market slows down? Joe Healey, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, says YES. Fever-Tree has had a good run, but investors are likely to be tetchy going forward. The drinks phenomenon has struggled in its main UK market [...]
Ex-De Vere boss Andrew Coppel to be appointed as Arcadia chairman November 20, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group is preparing to appoint the former boss of the De Vere hotel and leisure group as its new chairman. The appointment of Andrew Coppel, who currently sits on the board of housebuilder MJ Gleeson, is expected to be announced tomorrow, Sky News reported. Read more: Arcadia bolsters senior digital team [...]