N Brown returns to profit after digital transformation October 10, 2019 Shares in N Brown jumped 7.8 per cent this morning after the plus-size retailer reported it returned to profit in the first half. The figures The retailer reported a statutory profit of £18.8m, up 169.4 per cent from a loss of £27.1m last year. Earnings increased four per cent from £52m to £54.1m in the [...]
Barclay brothers mull £800m sale of The Ritz Hotel October 10, 2019 David and Frederick Barclay, the billionaire brothers that own The Ritz, are reportedly mulling an £800m sale of the five-star Mayfair hotel. The twin brothers, who also own The Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine, bought the Grade-II listed building for £75m in 1995. Read more: Profits plunge at Barclay brothers’ Ritz hotel Richard Faber, Frederick [...]
Will the buyout of Thomas Cook’s 555 high street stores take off? October 9, 2019 At 11.53pm on Tuesday night, the directors of family-owned Sunderland-based holiday firm Hays Travel clinched what is surely the biggest coup of their careers: buying Thomas Cook’s entire collection of high street stores. They appear to have timed their move well. Although owners John and Irene Hays wouldn’t tell reporters the price yesterday, they have doubtless [...]
Ladbrokes owner GVC upgrades earnings forecast October 9, 2019 GVC, the owner of Ladbrokes Coral, upgraded its full-year earnings guidance as the gambling giant reported an increase in over-the-counter trading following a government crack down on betting machines. The company increased its full-year guidance range to between £670m and £680m, from a previous estimate of £650m to £670m. Read more: GVC hit with £5.9m [...]
Hays Travel to buy 555 Thomas Cook stores, providing lifeline for 2,500 former workers October 9, 2019 Thousands of former Thomas Cook employees could be in for a reprieve, after the collapsed travel giant’s retail estate has been sold to Hays Travel. The agreement will see the Sunderland-based independent travel agent pick up 555 former Thomas Cook stores around the UK. The news offers a lifeline for its 2,500 former retail employees. [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher appoints new finance boss October 9, 2019 B&Q owner Kingfisher has appointed a new chief financial officer, it said today. Bernard Bot joins the home improvement group after his most recent role as finance boss of travel technology firm Travelport Worldwide which was New York-listed until June. His appointment comes less than a month after chief executive Thierry Garnier took up his [...]
Center Parcs owner to mull sale of holiday resort chain October 8, 2019 The owner of Center Parcs UK is preparing to conduct a strategic review of the business with a view to explore a potential sale or stock market listing. Brookfield Property Partners, a subsidiary of Canadian firm Brookfield Asset Management, is preparing to appoint advisors to weigh up options for the UK holiday chain, Sky News [...]
Retailers brace for tough Christmas trading as confidence slumps October 8, 2019 Retailers are bracing themselves for a challenging Christmas trading period as consumer confidence this autumn slumped to a five-year low. Only 21 per cent of shoppers think they will have more disposable income in the coming year, while 28 per cent expect their amount of extra cash to decrease, marking the lowest autumn sentiment levels [...]
DEBATE: Will owning status symbols become a thing of the past? October 8, 2019 Can we really foresee a time when owning status symbols will be a thing of the past? YES, says Mark Davis, co-founder and creative director of property branding agency me&dave. It’s already happening. The way we live is changing, as are the things we care about, and this is affecting our attitudes to the old [...]
Hollywood Bowl strikes double figures profit growth October 8, 2019 Shares in UK bowling alley operator Hollywood Bowl have shot up this morning after it said it expected profit growth to be over 10 per cent in the year to 30 September. Read more: Hollywood Bowl boosts revenue in strong first half The firm said that due to the good performance, it is considering returning [...]