European heatwave: France sets new record temperature of 45.9C June 28, 2019 France has recorded its highest ever temperature today – 45.9C – as the heatwave across western Europe intensifies. The new record has been set in the country’s southern town of Gallargues-le-Montueux, surpassing the 44.3C set in Carpentras and 45.1C in Villevieille earlier in the day, and beating the previous record of 44.1C set during a [...]
Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments secures £4.8bn takeover offer June 28, 2019 Legoland and Madame Tussauds owner Merlin Entertainments today said it has secured a £4.8bn takeover offer led by the owners of Lego. Merlin said it has reached an agreement on an offer of 455 pence per share tabled by Kirkbi, the investment vehicle of the Danish billionaire family behind Lego, and private equity firm Blackstone. [...]
UK consumer confidence slumps in June June 28, 2019 UK consumer confidence slumped again this month as the public took a negative view of their personal finances and the economy. The overall index score for consumer confidence dropped by three points to -13 for fourth time this year in June. The score was down four places year-on-year. Read more: UK consumer confidence holds up [...]
UK fashion brand Karen Millen hoists for sale sign June 27, 2019 British fashion brand Karen Millen is set to be sold by its Icelandic owners. Sky News reported that advisers to Kaupthing, one of the Icelandic banks that collapsed during the financial crisis, are set to begin formal talks with potential bidders for Karen Millen in the next few days. The sale process is being led [...]
Boots posts drop in UK quarterly sales amid tough trading conditions June 27, 2019 The parent owner of Boots, Britain’s largest chain of chemists, has posted a drop in UK quarterly sales amid challenging high street conditions. Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) posted a 1.6 per cent drop in sales during the three months to the end of May, spurred on by a one per cent decline in its troubled [...]
Gambling firms fork out £19.6m in record year for fines June 27, 2019 UK gambling firms paid out a record £19.6m in penalties last year for failing to protect problem gamblers and crack down on money laundering. The largest fine was handed down to online gambling firm Daub Alderney, which was ordered to pay £7.1m for falling foul of strict rules laid out by the gambling watchdog. Read [...]
Greene King posts robust sales growth despite fall in profit after summer washout June 27, 2019 Pub chain operator Greene King has posted a robust rise in sales for the full year, despite a slump in profit and the impact of unseasonable weather in the first eight weeks. The figures Group revenue rose 1.8 per cent to £2.2bn in the 52 weeks to the end of April. Pre-tax profit dropped 12.5 [...]
H&M shares rise after spike in summer sales June 27, 2019 Shares in H&M jumped ten per cent this morning after the Swedish fashion group reported that summer collection sales were up. H&M, which is the world’s second biggest fashion retailer after Zara owner Inditex, said that sales in June rose 12 per cent, beating analyst expectations. Read more: H&M shares soar despite profit fall Sales [...]
Pendragon CEO leaves after just three months in charge June 27, 2019 Car dealership Pendragon’s chief executive is stepping down less than three months into the job. Read more: Pendragon shares crash on ‘accelerating’ losses Mark Herbert will quit his post as CEO on 30 June by mutual agreement with the board, the firm advised today. Herbert, who only joined the company in April, was called a [...]
Superdry delays results after issuing profit warning June 27, 2019 Struggling retailer Superdry has delayed the publication of its full-year results after issuing a profit warning and undergoing recent management changes. The company’s results will be released on 10 July, six days later than originally planned due to the “complexity” of lease and store impairment charges in the accounts. Read more: Superdry appoints interim finance [...]