Carphone Warehouse splits in two March 29, 2010 TalkTalk and Carphone Warehouse (CPW), the electronics retailer, both saw a positive reaction to their first day operating as separate entities. Carphone Warehouse added 7.3 per cent after it spun off its TalkTalk broadband supplier. Its shares began trading at 144p and closed at 155p. TalkTalk added 4.4 per cent on its maiden day trading, [...]
We’re being too gloomy on outlook for retail March 28, 2010 SO the clocks have changed, there’s now more daylight than darkness and spring is here. It’s time for some optimism, unless you happen to be a retailer. In the last week some of the biggest names in the high street have been queuing up to tell us how fearful they are about the consumer. Of [...]
Sainsbury’s sales hit by slowing growth March 24, 2010 SAINSBURY’S has reported its smallest rise in underlying quarterly sales in almost five years. Britain’s third biggest grocery chain said stores open at least one year rose 1.7 per cent, excluding fuel, in the fourth quarter. That was down from 3.7 per cent in its third quarter and the smallest rise since the first quarter [...]
Sainsbury’s sales growth at five-year low March 24, 2010 SAINSBURY’S has reported its smallest rise in underlying quarterly sales in almost five years. Britain’s third biggest grocery chain said stores open at least one year rose 1.7 per cent, excluding fuel, in the fourth quarter. Sales rose 3.7 per cent in the third quarter but a slowdown in price inflation and economic uncertainty before [...]
Sainsburys says 2010 bonus acceleration is fair March 14, 2010 J SAINSBURY has denied reports it is to bring forward bonus payments for all staff in order that its top earners can avoid paying the top rate 50 per cent tax which comes into effect on April 6. The move will improve the earnings of the company’s top 1,200 employees, including chief executive, Justin King, [...]
Rose: Cut UK deficit as soon as possible March 9, 2010 SIR Stuart Rose yesterday said the next government should cut public spending sooner rather than later, in comments that appeared to back Tory plans. And the executive chairman of Marks & Spencer said consumers were well-prepared for a period of fiscal tightening to reduce the UK’s yawning £178bn budget deficit. “Our customers, Tesco’s customers, Sainsbury’s [...]
GOING BANANAS February 15, 2010 SUPERMARKET giant J Sainsbury has become the world’s largest stockist of Fairtrade products, raking in almost one in every four pounds spent in the UK on the social enterprise goods. Annual sales from 800 Fairtrade products stocked in the group’s stores rose around 10 per cent this year, up to £218m. The total included a [...]
Future is sweet for Nectar as it ranks top of the loyalty schemes February 7, 2010 NECTAR has become the country’s most popular loyalty scheme, with 16.8m subscribers. A staggering 50 per cent of households now swipe their Nectar card when shopping in stores and online and it has become more popular than both the Tesco Clubcard and the Boots Advantage card. Gwyn Burr, Sainsbury’s customer director, said: “Customers are increasingly [...]
Morrison beats rivals with festive sales boost January 21, 2010 SUPERMARKET chain Morrison posted the biggest rise in Christmas sales among Britain’s top four grocers – but urged caution about 2010. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 6.5 per cent, excluding petrol and VAT, in the six weeks to 3 January. Total revenue rose by 10.8 per cent for the period. Morrison, [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS January 14, 2010 XSTRATA Investec Securities yesterday initiated coverage on what it called “the predator of the mining industry”. The broker put a “buy” recommendation on the stock, saying that looking beyond Xstrata’s M&A capabilities, the firm has excellent organic growth prospects and the best leverage of its peer group to rising commodity prices. BOVIS HOMES Panmure Gordon [...]