Retail sales smash expectations despite a drop in consumer confidence September 20, 2024 Retail sales in the UK blew past expectations in August, climbing to their highest level since July 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Sales were up one per cent compared to the previous month, beating analysts’ predictions of a 0.4 per cent rise. The increase builds on July’s return to growth, which [...]
Newriver REIT raises £50m for Capital & Regional bid September 19, 2024 Local shopping centre owner Newriver REIT has successfully raised over £50m via a share issue to fund its bid of peer Capital & Regional. On Wednesday, Newriver REIT announced a possible cash and share offer for Capital & Regional, which would create a shared property portfolio of £890m. At the same time, Newriver announced the [...]
Retail group calls for ‘rates corrector’ in next Budget September 13, 2024 High business rates and other bills have led to an overtaxing of the retail industry compared to its size in terms of GDP, according to fresh data. The British Retail Consortium found that retail pays 7.4 per cent of all business taxes – £33bn – a share 1.5 times greater than its share of the [...]
New Boots UK boss named after Seb James’ departure and aborted IPO September 12, 2024 Anthony Hemmerdinger has been appointed managing director of Boots UK and Ireland only months after the high street pharmacy chain’s US parent company once again shelved plans to sell or list the business. Current managing director Seb James, who has run the company since 2018, will pursue a new role in the healthcare sector. Hemmerdinger [...]
WH Smith shares jump on buyback plan after pension buy-out frees up cash September 11, 2024 WH Smith has announced strong revenue growth, driven by a boost in its airport and train station stores and a £50m share buyback programme. It also announced a £85m cash benefit as the result of its pension fund buy-out. Shares in WH Smith rose more than 12 per cent in early trades. Revenue at the [...]
Mountain Warehouse to open 50 new sites after bumper profit September 10, 2024 Mountain Warehouse is set to open another 50 stores next year as part of a rapid expansion plan after achieving a bumper profit last year. The new stores will take the outdoor leisure retailer’s total to around 370 stores across nine countries, according to the Times. It has already opened 20 new stores in the [...]
Capital & Regional: Praxis out of the running to buy shopping centre giant September 10, 2024 Shares in Capital & Regional have fallen by 14 per cent after a prospective bidder for the UK shopping centre owner said it was bowing out of the process. Praxis, a London-based property investor, said it doesn’t intend to make an offer for the listed company – which owns shopping malls in Edinburgh, Hemel Hempstead [...]
ABF: Primark owner powers through footfall slump to deliver solid growth September 5, 2024 Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has reported a “significant improvement in profitability” despite a rainy summer threatening to dampen sales. The London-listed firm, which also owns Twinings Tea and a raft of food businesses, said it expected to see increased sales across its retail, grocery and ingredients divisions during its second half ending September [...]
Easing inflation helps retail footfall in August despite riots August 30, 2024 Retail footfall in the UK was boosted by good weather and easing inflation in August, despite the effect of the violent riots which erupted earlier in the month. Total UK retail footfall fell by 0.4 per cent in August year-on-year, compared to an annual drop of 3.3 per cent in July, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). It’s [...]
Quiz plots turnaround strategy after fashion chain swings to loss August 29, 2024 High street retailer Quiz has announced a turnaround strategy after swinging to a loss in its final year earnings, blaming cost-of-living pressures and cool consumer demand. The Glasgow-headquartered company booked a loss before tax of £6.7m, including a £1.5m non-recurring impairment charge, falling from a profit of £2.3m in 2023. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation [...]