Sports Direct: What’s gone wrong for Mike Ashley? July 26, 2019 Even for an unpredictable retail tycoon like Mike Ashley, today’s strange turn of events is unprecedented. Sports Direct was set to release its full-year figures at 7am this morning, before suddenly postponing its statement and cancelling media interviews. Read more: Confusion reigns as Sports Direct delays annual results yet again With no explanation given as [...]
Mothercare share price slumps as retailer warns on profits July 26, 2019 Mothercare today warned that profits will not grow this year as “fragile” consumer confidence and political uncertainty hurt the retailer. Shares fell sharply on the news, down 8.9 per cent to just 18p, as investors sold out of the struggling high street store. Read more: Mothercare in talks to spin off struggling UK stores The [...]
Prime delivery race creates hurdles for Amazon July 25, 2019 Retail giant Amazon disappointed investors and analysts alike tonight, reporting profit for its second quarter well below estimates and breaking its long-running record earnings streak. Profit came in at $2.6bn (£2.1bn), or $5.22 per share, for the three months to the end of June. Analysts were expecting income of $5.57 per share. Amazon also said [...]
Mothercare in talks to spin off struggling UK stores July 25, 2019 Mothercare is set to sell or separate its 79 UK stores as part of the struggling retailer’s ongoing evolution towards an international franchising model. Read more: Mothercare annual loss jumps to £87m, delayed results reveal The retailer for parents and young children is in conversations with prospective groups about the deal, according to Sky News, [...]
Retail sales decline for longest stretch in eight years July 25, 2019 Retail sales have fallen for the longest period in eight years, new research has revealed, in the latest sign of gloom on the high street. Sales volumes fell for the third consecutive month in the year to July, marking the longest decline since 2011, according to the latest CBI monthly Distributive Trades Survey. Read more: [...]
Fuller’s toasts revenue growth despite beer business sale July 25, 2019 London pub chain Fuller’s has reported strong revenue growth in its first full-year results following the sale of its beer business to Asahi earlier this year. The figures Revenue was up seven per cent to £431.1m from £403.6m in 2018, the company said in it’s full year results to 30 March. Adjusted profit was flat [...]
Gin sales boost Diageo profits July 25, 2019 Guinness owner Diageo saw profits rise last year driven by sales of its Gordon’s and Tanqueray gin. The figures Net sales increased 5.8 per cent to £12.9bn and operating profit soared 9.5 per cent to £4bn, driven by organic growth. Net cash from operating activities was £3.2bn, up £164m. Earnings per share increased by 7.4 [...]
Unilever turnover slumps in cooler weather July 25, 2019 Unilever reported a slump in turnover in the first half of 2019 as cooler weather impacted ice cream sales in Europe and the US. The figures Turnover fell 0.9 per cent to €26.1bn in the first half, the company said as it reported its half year and second quarter results this morning. Second quarter underlying [...]
Demand for retail property in London falls as sector’s woes continue July 25, 2019 Demand for retail property continued to fall across London in the second quarter of the year and is now approaching financial crisis-level lows, according to a new survey. Read more: UK retail industry battles ‘toughest ever’ trading conditions Meanwhile, demand from overseas investors has also continued to drop as Brexit looms, showed the latest commercial [...]
More than 70,000 retail jobs lost amid high street struggles July 25, 2019 More than 70,000 retail jobs were lost over the last year as high street stores battle slowing sales and changing consumer habits. The total number of employees fell by 2.3 per cent in the second quarter, amounting to around 72,000 jobs being lost year-on year. Read more: Joules defies retail anguish with growth across the [...]