B&M shares dive as German unit put under review November 12, 2019 Shares in B&M fell more than seven per cent this morning as the bargain retailer launched a strategic review of its German business Jawoll to determine the future of the poorly performing unit. The figures The company’s overall pre-tax profit plunged 70 per cent to £32.2m in the first half, after its balance sheet was [...]
New Look losses shrink despite dip in sales November 12, 2019 New Look narrowed its losses in the first half of the year, despite a decline in sales caused by the ongoing challenges facing the UK high street. The figures The retailer reported that its statutory loss before tax was £11.2m, compared to a loss of £41.9m in the first half of last year. Revenue fell [...]
Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods increases profit November 12, 2019 Shares in Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods soared this morning after the company reported an increase in profit and revenue in the first half of the year. Premier Foods’ stock was up 8.28 per cent to 36.11p as it announced the relaunch of Mr Kipling cakes and sales of Nissin noodles had helped it post [...]
Lidl sales soar as big four supermarkets struggle November 12, 2019 Budget supermarket Lidl enjoyed soaring sales this autumn, as the big four grocers struggled to keep up with the German discount stores in the lead up to the crucial Christmas trading period. Lidl was the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket in the 12 weeks to 3 November with a sales increase of 8.8 per [...]
Retail group urges new government to reform industry November 12, 2019 A leading retail organisation has ramped up pressure on the next government to reform business rates and the apprenticeship levy to rescue the embattled UK high street. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the new government following the 12 December General Election should scrap “downwards transition”, which it said means retailers pay £1.3bn over five [...]
Mobile shopping platform Rezolve bags tie-up with Korean retail giant Lotte November 11, 2019 Mobile shopping tech firm Rezolve has signed a multi-million-pound deal with South Korean conglomerate Lotte Corporation as it expands its presence in Asia. Lotte will use the London startup’s technology in its supermarket app, allowing customers to make purchases by scanning promotional print leaflets with their smartphone. Read more: Mobile shopping platform Rezolve secures bumper [...]
More than 200,000 UK workers get Christmas pay rise in line with real living wage November 11, 2019 More than 200,000 employees from major UK companies are set for a pre-Christmas pay rise thanks to the “real living wage” campaign. Businesses signed up to the campaign will raise its London employees’ hourly wages by 20p to £10.75. Read more: Sajid Javid promises to increase nationa living wage to £10.50 Meanwhile, the hourly rate [...]
Sainsbury’s signs wholesale deal with Australia’s Coles November 11, 2019 Sainsbury’s has agreed a deal to provide Australian supermarket Coles with own-brand products as the UK grocery giant seeks to strengthen its wholesale business. The range, which will be labelled under the Coles brand, will include packaged groceries and household products. Read more: Sainsbury’s half-year profits slide Through the deal, Sainsbury’s will also analyse which [...]
Takeaway.com admits its own offer for Just Eat is not ‘particularly appealing’ November 11, 2019 Takeaway.com boss Jitse Groen has admitted his firm’s offer for Just Eat is not “particularly appealing” for shareholders, as a takeover battle for the food delivery platform intensifies. Takeaway and Just Eat agreed the terms of an offer for the business in August, however, South Africa’s Prosus launched a rival £4.9m bid. Read more: Takeway.com [...]
Dignity profit falls 30 per cent as fewer people die November 11, 2019 Dignity, the UK’s only listed funeral firm, saw its underlying operating profit slip 30 per cent for the year to date, driven by a significantly lower number of deaths. Profit fell from £68.6m in 2018 to £47.9m this year. Underlying revenue also fell eight per cent, from 244.2m in 2018 to 225.4m. Despite the fall [...]