UK retail sales grow as consumers shrug off Brexit worries March 21, 2019 British retail sales showed strong growth last month compared to a year before, in a sign that consumers remain unaffected by the Brexit impasse. The quantity of goods UK shoppers bought increased by 0.4 per cent in February compared to January, with strong growth in non-store retailing and fuel, figures released today by the Office [...]
Sports Direct reissues its demand for Mike Ashley to be given a top job at Debenhams March 21, 2019 Sports Direct has today requested a general meeting of Debenhams to eject the board and give Mike Ashley an executive role at the struggling retailer. The requisition replaces an earlier demand which was invalid because Sports Direct was holdings its shares at that period through a third party nominee. Read more: Debenhams pressure mounts amid [...]
Game plays with higher profits to buck high street worries March 21, 2019 Profits soared at video game retailer Game’s parent company in the first six months of the financial year, even as revenue fell by nearly five per cent. The figures Game Digital’s profits before tax increased over 20 per cent to £14.8m, however gross profit contracted 1.2 per cent to £122m. Read more: Game shares boosted [...]
Next sees ‘no evidence’ for Brexit hurting sales despite profit dip as it warns of ‘challenging’ 2019 March 21, 2019 Profits slipped at Next last year, the high street stalwart said today as it warned the outlook for the high street will remain “challenging” in 2019. However, it said Brexit is not a factor, with boss Lord Simon Wolfson saying there is “no evidence that this uncertainty is affecting consumer behaviour”. Read more: Next shares [...]
Profits plunge 26 per cent at Ted Baker after ‘difficult’ year March 21, 2019 Profits fell at Ted Baker last year for the first time since the financial crisis as the company faced “very difficult trading conditions” in a year when harassment claims dogged its chief executive. The figures Profits before tax at the menswear retailer dropped by 26 per cent to £51m even as revenue increased 4.4 per [...]
Starbucks delivery expands across central London while company continues green push March 20, 2019 Coffee drinkers across central London will be able to get their daily caffeine fix delivered straight to the office as Starbucks expands its delivery trials and starts tests of new greener cups in the capital, the company announced today. The coffee chain trialled Starbucks Delivers, its collaboration with Uber Eats, in parts of London last [...]
Superdry co-founder Julian Dunkerton ‘disappointed’ after shareholder advisory opposes motion to rejoin the board March 20, 2019 Superdry co-founder and former chief executive Julian Dunkerton said he was "disappointed" after an influential shareholder advisory firm recommended that investors block his reinstatement to the board. Last night it emerged that Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had warned investors that Dunkerton was partly to blame for the issues facing the struggling brand. Read more: Shareholder adviser opposes [...]
Wildwood restaurant owner Tasty shares plunge as it warns further site closures on the way March 20, 2019 Shares in Wildwood restaurant owner Tasty plunged this morning as the company warned that it may be forced to make further closures this year after shuttering eight underperforming sites. The figures Shares plummeted more than 17 per cent as the restaurant group posted dismal full-year results for 2018, blaming challenges in the casual dining sector as [...]
Ten Entertainment to target London in bowling alley expansion plan March 20, 2019 Ten Entertainment is targeting expansion within London as the bowling alley chain looks to increase its presence within city centres. The owner of the Tenpin brand is considering establishing a presence in urban areas in a move away from its traditional focus on out-of-town retail parks, chief executive Duncan Garrood told City A.M. Read more: [...]
Hermes bags profit boost as demand from Asia drives surge in sales March 20, 2019 Luxury bag maker Hermes has posted double-digit profit growth for the full year as rising demand in Asia helped boost sales across all business lines. Read more: Asos confident on full-year targets despite 'challenging' markets The figures Hermes’ net profit rose 15 per cent to €1.4bn (£1.2bn). Consolidated revenue was up 7.5 per cent to [...]