Travis Perkins accelerates plans to sell Wickes July 14, 2019 Builders merchant Travis Perkins has stepped up its plans for a £500m spin-off of DIY retailer Wickes. Travis Perkins has begun to prepare to demerge Wickes next year by separating the retailer’s IT systems from the rest of the group, the Sunday Times reported. Read more: Travis Perkins investors cheer first quarter sales growth The [...]
Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant empire sees losses deepen July 14, 2019 Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant business posted deepening losses in its latest financial results as it works through an “efficiency program”. The group, which owns the three Michelin star The Fat Duck, suffered a post-tax loss of £1.7m in the year to 31 May 2018, compared to a loss of £700,000 in 2017. Read more: [...]
Sports Direct expected to post 20 per cent profit drop July 14, 2019 Sports Direct is expected to report a 20 per cent drop in profit following an acquisition spree by billionaire owner Mike Ashley. Profit before tax could slip from £152.9m to £122.06m, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Read more: Top Sports Direct executive leaves Mike Ashley’s firm Analysts said revenue is expected to [...]
KFC first UK fast food giant to pledge better chicken welfare standards July 12, 2019 KFC is set to become the first British fast food restaurant to sign up to new European welfare standards for farmed chickens to combat inhumane conditions in intensive meat production. Read more: DEBATE: Does KFC’s veggie burger signal a move towards veganism? Its decision to adopt the new standards could see McDonalds and Burger King, [...]
Thomas Cook: How did it end up like this? July 12, 2019 Companies in the travel industry have endured a turbulent year – and none more than Thomas Cook. Read more: Thomas Cook shares plunge to record low as investors face being wiped out The embattled firm this morning said it is closing in on a bailout deal which would see Chinese firm Fosun give it £750m [...]
Londoners rejoice; Deliveroo will serve your Pret a Manger meal to your desk July 12, 2019 It’s not exactly hard to find a Pret a Manger in London; there are more than a dozen in the City of London alone. Read more: Pret vows to go veggie when it takes over Eat stores But it is hard to get away from your desk sometimes, so thousands of workers will be delighted [...]
Share price crashes as car dealer Lookers issues profit warning July 12, 2019 Lookers suffered a sharp drop in its share price this morning as a profit warning fuelled investor concerns just a month after the car dealership giant revealed it was being investigated by the UK’s financial watchdog over its sales processes. Shares plummeted 25 per cent in early morning trading to roughly 33p after the firm [...]
Thomas Cook shares hit record low amid £750m takeover talks with Fosun July 12, 2019 Thomas Cook’s shares sunk to their lowest price ever this morning as it confirmed it is in advanced talks with Fosun over a proposed £750m deal which would give the Chinese firm majority ownership over its tour operator business. Read more: Thomas Cook engages in Fosun talks to save company The deal would also give [...]
Revenue rockets 27 per cent at The Gym Group July 12, 2019 The Gym Group has posted a 27 per cent leap in revenue to £74m for the first six months of 2019. Read more: The Gym Group gets in shape with revenue and profit boost The contract-free low-cost gym operator also grew membership numbers by 10.6 per cent to 796,000 up to 30 June. Eight new [...]
Thomas Cook nears rescue deal with China’s Fosun July 12, 2019 Thomas Cook is preparing to announce today it is nearing a rescue deal that will include selling off its tour operating arm to the Chinese owner of Club Med. The package holiday group is set to reveal this morning that it is close to reaching an agreement with Fosun Tourism Group and its lenders which [...]