Shareholders need to hear more than just contrition if they are to believe in the future of M&S November 8, 2018 Another day, another bleak set of results from a struggling high street retailer. This time it was the turn of M&S to take centre stage, reporting falling food and fashion sales and pledging to leave “no stone unturned” in its bid to restructure the business. Blighted by rising costs, more competition, and major changes in [...]
Shares dive at fashion house Michael Kors as sales miss expectations November 7, 2018 Michael Kors' shares plunged by 15 per cent today after the luxury fashion group missed Wall Street revenue estimates for the first time in almost two years. The owner of brands such as Jimmy Choo saw revenue come in flat year on year at $643.9m (£489.6m) as European store sales dropped 10 per cent in the three [...]
Adidas hikes profit forecast but lowers sales target November 7, 2018 German sportswear giant Adidas elevated its profit estimates today after a jump in sales in the third quarter, but screwed down its sales forecast, blaming lower than expected growth in western Europe. Shares fell two per cent on the news, as Adidas said full year revenues were likely to increase by only eight to nine per cent, falling [...]
John Lewis chairman announces departure after 99 per cent profit drop November 7, 2018 The chairman of John Lewis will step down in 2020 after the store has found his replacement. Sir Charlie Mayfield decided to leave just two months after blaming Brexit for a 99 per cent drop in half-year profits. The company said it has modernised its selection process, and the new chairman will be announced in the second half [...]
Wetherspoon shares fall as it warns that staff wage increase will hurt profits November 7, 2018 J D Wetherspoon shares fell 13 per cent to 1,138p today after it announced a rise in sales, but warned its decision to hand staff a wage increase without increasing prices will impact full-year profits. The pub chain, which has almost 1,000 branches in the UK, said like-for-like sales increased 5.5 per cent and total sales by [...]
Mulberry widens losses after taking £2.1m hit on House of Fraser collapse November 7, 2018 Luxury handbag maker Mulberry widened losses in the first six months of the year following the collapse of House of Fraser. The figures Total revenue for the six months to the end of September was £68.3m, eight per cent down on the previous year. It reported an underlying pre-tax loss of £3.6m, compared with a [...]
‘Grim reading’: Marks & Spencer sales keep falling as it rethinks food and clothing brands November 7, 2018 Same-store sales at Marks & Spencer’s food and clothing divisions both fell as it told investors it expects “little improvement” in the months ahead. The figures M&S revenue declined 3.1 per cent year on year to £4.96bn in the six months to the end of September. Clothing and home division revenue dropped 2.7 per cent due [...]
Primark stays cheerful despite headaches on the UK high street November 6, 2018 Associated British Foods, owner of Primark, blamed “unseasonable weather” for a slide in the high-street retailer’s sales across Europe. Sales dropped by 2.1 per cent for the year to 15 September at stores open more than 12 months. The decline compared with a one per cent increase for the previous year. With 2018 generally bringing [...]
Co-op hopes new depot will fuel growth in its London stores November 6, 2018 Food retailer Co-op will open a new depot to serve its London shops as it looks to grow in the south of England. The new 660,000 square foot distribution centre will create up to 1,200 jobs when it opens in 2022, Co-op said. Co-op said it has signed a 20-year lease for the depot in Biggleswade, [...]
Pepsico bid for British crisp brand Pipers shows more US companies hungry for UK assets November 6, 2018 Pepsico swooped on premium British crisp brand Pipers today adding to a bumper year for US acquisitions of UK firms, with deals already hitting a record $87bn (£66.4bn). The value of acquisitions has surged by a whopping $57bn since last year, according to figures compiled by Dealogic. The record figure does not include the undisclosed [...]