N Brown sales slide in wake of ‘challenging’ Christmas January 17, 2019 Shares in plus-sized fashion group N Brown slumped more than eight per cent this afternoon after the e-commerce giant became the latest retailer to report a fall in sales over the Christmas period. Growth in online trading was offset by a slump in its traditional catalogue-focused arm, with revenue in N Brown’s mail-order catalogue brands, [...]
Premier Foods logistics issues take a slice out of third quarter revenues January 17, 2019 Mr Kipling maker Premier Foods saw sales fall in the third quarter after logistics problems ate into revenues. The food manufacturer, which also makes Bisto and Oxo cubes, said sales fell 2.2 per cent to £256m in the 13 weeks to 29 December. Read more: Tesco and M&S reveal stockpiling amid concerns of a 'no deal' [...]
Advertising watchdog issues ultimatum to retailers over faux fur January 17, 2019 The advertising watchdog has issued an ultimatum to retailers to ensure products they advertise as fake fur do not contain real fur. UK retailers have until 11 February to ensure their adverts are accurate, according to the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), which draws up advertising regulations. CAP warned firms may face sanctions if they [...]
Debenhams shares slide as Moody’s hands struggling retailer a negative outlook January 17, 2019 Debenhams’ share price slumped seven per cent in morning trading, after ratings agency Moody’s lowered its outlook for the beleaguered retailer from stable to negative. Concerns over the risks that creditors might incur when lending to the embattled department store chain were flagged by Moody’s, pushing shares in Debenhams down 7.26 per cent to 2.8p [...]
Patisserie Valerie exodus continues as deputy chairman steps down January 17, 2019 Patisserie Valerie has been burned further this morning by the walkout of its deputy chairman. Lee Ginsberg – a non-executive director at the beleaguered cafe chain, which is caught in a devastating alleged fraud – would resign with immediate effect, the company said in an update. Ginsberg had been chair of the audit committee at [...]
Game Digital shares boosted by positive Christmas trading in Spain while UK sales fall January 17, 2019 Video game retailer Game Digital’s shares shot up this morning as it announced a two per cent sales boost over the Christmas period, despite a drop in the UK market. The company said despite a “challenging retail climate” causing group sales to dip 0.5 per cent over the festive weeks from Black Friday to 5 [...]
Everyman cinemas on track as punters flock to picture palace January 17, 2019 Cinema chain Everyman Media today reported 2018 trading in line with expectations as it eyes a series of new openings. The boutique cinema group, which currently operates 26 venues across the country, said trading for the 52 weeks to 3 January was on track to hit forecasts. Read more: Chinese cinemas show bumper profits, but growth slows [...]
Premier Inn owner Whitbread warns of stalling profits as it launches share buyback scheme January 17, 2019 Whitbread will kick off the process of giving £500m back to shareholders today after completing the £3.9bn sale of Costa, but warned that uncertainty would stall profits next year. It said Premier Inn has added over 2,000 new rooms since the financial year began in March. The company has grown sales in its accomodation business [...]
Primark sales sweeten the pill as retailer outperforms Christmas gloom January 17, 2019 Primark today reported a rise in revenues over the festive period as store expansion outweighed a fall in like-for-like sales. The fashion retailer saw UK sales rise one per cent on last year in the 16 weeks to 5 January, defying a downturn in the wider retail market. Read more: Retail sector suffers worst Christmas in [...]
Marks & Spencer launches plastic packaging-free fruit and vegetable trial to try and cut plastic waste January 16, 2019 Marks & Spencer launched a trial today of plastic packaging-free fruit and vegetables at its Tolworth store as it moves to cut the amount of plastic it uses. The retailer said it had introduced trained greengrocers to advise customers on the over 90 lines of loose fruit and vegetables it was selling from two aisles. [...]