Activist investor strikes upbeat tone as Just Eat interim boss rules himself out of the race March 6, 2019 A major Just Eat shareholder who has pressed the company to merge with a rival today welcomed the takeaway giant’s interim boss decision to rule himself out of the race for a permanent chief executive. Activist investor Cat Rock Capital Management, which owns a 1.7 per cent stake in Just Eat, said today that it appreciated Peter [...]
Floored: Headlam blames UK market for a drop in like-for-like sales March 6, 2019 British flooring firm Headlam posted mixed results this morning that saw like-for-like revenue decline in both the UK and Europe, reflecting weak sales in the UK residential sector. The company also confirmed that it expects lower profits in 2019 due in part to “economic and political uncertainty”, after first warning of the hit in January. [...]
Hello Fresh delivers healthy growth as it draws up recipe to break even March 6, 2019 Meal kit firm Hello Fresh today posted a surge in its full-year and fourth quarter sales as it eyes plans to break even in 2019. The figures Revenues for the full year soared 41.4 per cent to €1.2bn (£1.03bn). Losses before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation narrowed from €70.1m to €54.5m. Total number of orders [...]
Shepherd Neame’s exceptional costs take fizz out of profits March 6, 2019 Brewer and pub group Shepherd Neame posted a modest rise in profit before tax for the six months to the end of December, despite being hit by refinancing and contract losses. The figures Underlying profit before tax rose 1.4 per cent to £5.9m in the 26 weeks to 29 December 2018. Like-for-like sales in the group’s [...]
Just Eat shares fall on 2019 outlook despite jumps in profit and revenue March 6, 2019 Just Eat scored huge boosts to profit and revenue in 2018 to relieve shareholder pressure to merge with a rival, it revealed today, but warned losses will impact 2019 earnings. The figures Profit before tax rose to £101.7m after a loss of £76m in 2017. Revenue rose 43 per cent year on year to £779.5m, [...]
Paddy Power Betfair moves to change name to Flutter Entertainment as US sports betting market opens up March 6, 2019 Paddy Power Betfair revealed on Wednesday it is moving to change its name to Flutter Entertainment. The decision, which is subject to approval at a shareholder meeting at an upcoming general meeting, is part of a bid to diversify as the company moves to take advantage of the opening of the US online sports betting market. [...]
Harrods launches new luxury podcast amid editorial expansion March 5, 2019 Harrods has launched a new podcast about the meaning of luxury as it looks to win over high-end shoppers with its renewed focus on editorial formats. The six-episode series, hosted by journalist and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup, will host guests from the creative industries to discuss the “true meaning of modern luxury”. Read more: Harrods eyes online [...]
Competition regulator preparing to launch fresh court action against Viagogo March 5, 2019 Controversial ticket reseller Viagogo has been slapped with a fresh warning this afternoon from Britain’s competition regulator, which is threatening legal action in the wake of continued concerns over the firm’s practices. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said today that it is preparing to take Viagogo to court after saying that it is [...]
Superdry to cut jobs at head office amid £50m cost-cutting plan March 5, 2019 Under-pressure fashion group Superdry has confirmed today that it is to slash jobs at its head office as part of a major cost-cutting plan. More than 100 jobs are facing the axe, predominantly at the firm’s headquarters in Cheltenham, in the wake of the company's announcement late last year that it is looking to save [...]
To buy to not to buy? The pitfalls of online shopping when at work March 5, 2019 A furtive glance to the side, to gauge your neighbour’s gaze. A quick dart over the shoulder, perhaps a slight bob upwards in the chair above the rim of the screen, to check if the coast is clear. And then, the adrenaline building, comes the lightning-quick rattle of the keyboard, the double click and, yes, there [...]