McDonald’s in coffee expansion May 26, 2009 Fast food major McDonald’s yesterday unveiled ambitious plans to usurp Starbucks as Europe’s biggest coffee chain, and said it would open several hundred McCafé stores selling cakes and coffees this year. Although Starbucks has been putting the brakes on its expansion in Europe, McDonald’s hopes to increase the number of McCafé stores in Europe to [...]
Ofcom says no to more TV ads May 26, 2009 Broadcasters will not be allowed to increase the amount of advertising carried on television, media regulator Ofcom said yesterday. But it said it would allow teleshopping on commercial public service channels, to allow broadcasters to generate additional revenues. Teleshopping will be allowed from midnight to 6am.
Pearl rescuer close to deal May 26, 2009 THE potential new investors in Pearl Assurance, Hugh Osmond’s highly-indebted insurance group, could end up with 60 per cent of the equity as part of a refinancing deal currently being discussed, CityA.M. has learned. Liberty Acquisition Holdings, an Amsterdam-listed special purpose vehicle headed by two private equity investors, Nicholas Berggruen and Martin Franklin, is in [...]
Albemarle & Bond boosted as consumers turn to pawn May 26, 2009 PAWNBROKER Albemarle & Bond said yesterday it expects full year results to be significantly ahead of expectations as out-of-pocket consumers continue to frequent its shops to exchange valuables for ready cash. Albemarle said it had upped predictions for the year to the end of June after retail sales rose in the recession. It also benefited [...]
Albemarle & Bond boosted as consumers turn to pawn May 26, 2009 PAWNBROKER Albemarle & Bond said yesterday it expects full year results to be significantly ahead of expectations as out-of-pocket consumers continue to frequent its shops to exchange valuables for ready cash. Albemarle said it had upped predictions for the year to the end of June after retail sales rose in the recession. It also benefited [...]
Danone shares stumble as it announces a 3bn rights issue May 26, 2009 FOOD group Danone yesterday said that it is planning a €3bn (£2.6bn) rights issue aimed at helping it snap up smaller rivals hurt by the financial crisis and aiding its growth through the downturn. The firm said it planned to launch a sale of new shares to existing shareholders in coming days, subject to internal [...]
Danone shares stumble as it announces a 3bn rights issue May 26, 2009 FOOD group Danone yesterday said that it is planning a €3bn (£2.6bn) rights issue aimed at helping it snap up smaller rivals hurt by the financial crisis and aiding its growth through the downturn. The firm said it planned to launch a sale of new shares to existing shareholders in coming days, subject to internal [...]
CARLUCCIO’S COMES OFF THE MENU May 26, 2009 CARLUCCIO’S, the Italian restaurant and delicatessen chain, yesterday said that take over talks with a potential bidder, believed to be private equity group Hutton Collins, had ended. The group said it was “no longer in an offer period”. Its shares plunged 14.4 per cent to 83.5p as the stock lost the gains achieved in the [...]
CARLUCCIO’S COMES OFF THE MENU May 26, 2009 CARLUCCIO’S, the Italian restaurant and delicatessen chain, yesterday said that take over talks with a potential bidder, believed to be private equity group Hutton Collins, had ended. The group said it was “no longer in an offer period”. Its shares plunged 14.4 per cent to 83.5p as the stock lost the gains achieved in the [...]
Virgin beats rival BA with rising profits May 26, 2009 AIRLINE Virgin Atlantic, controlled by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, saw its pre-tax profit almost double to £68.4m in the year ending February – trouncing British Airways (BA), which last week announced record losses. Virgin said profits were boosted by an increase in premium travel. It is taking market share from rivals, including BA, in the [...]