India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani snaps up iconic toy store Hamleys May 10, 2019 Iconic toy retailer Hamleys has been sold to India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani for an undisclosed sum. Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate Reliance Industries, which is owned by Ambani, said late last night it had signed a deal to buy the chain from Chinese giant C Banner International. Read more: Billionaire Mike Ashley may bid for iconic toy [...]
Debenhams versus Mike Ashley: Something has gone horribly wrong May 9, 2019 Magpies are among the world’s cleverest animals. Prone to cunning theft from other nests, they enjoy a surprising degree of protection. Foiled Debenhams suitor Mike Ashley won’t miss the irony that while his Newcastle United Football Club is nicknamed after these swooping robbers, a marauding band of debtholders have led a planned effort to steal [...]
Debenhams to close 22 stores in 2020 as lenders warn of 1,200 job losses April 26, 2019 Debenhams revealed its store closure plan this morning, with up to 22 stores expected to be shuttered in 2020. Around 1,200 jobs are at risk due to the two Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), one for property and one for retail, the company said today. Read more: Debenhams owners to outline plans to shut 20 stores The [...]
Laura Ashley shares hit all-time low as fashion retailer sounds alarm April 25, 2019 Shares in fashion retailer Laura Ashley hit an all-time low today after it issued a warning over its full-year results amid difficult trading conditions. Read more: Laura Ashley issues profit warning as sales slide The struggling brand saw its share price fall over 20 per cent this morning to 2.21p. It has since rebounded somewhat [...]
Debenhams owners to outline plans to shut 20 stores April 23, 2019 Debenhams is poised to outline plans this week to bring forward the closure of 20 of its stores, according to Sky News. The new owners of the department store chain, which include Barclays and hedge fund Silver Point, will launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in the next 48 hours that will allow it to [...]
Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher steps down after lenders take control April 19, 2019 Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher has stepped down, nine days after the embattled department store's lenders took control. The group’s non-executive chairman Terry Duddy has been appointed interim executive chairman until a permanent replacement is found, Reuters reported. Read more: Mike Ashley among Debenhams shareholders wiped out Duddy will oversee a major store closure programme, which is expected [...]
Mike Ashley among Debenhams shareholders wiped out April 18, 2019 | City Talk By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. One of the most intriguing City soap operas is over for investors as lenders seize control of Debenhams. The fight for survival at Debenhams (LSE:DEB) stores goes on, but for investors the suspension of shares signalled the final act in a grim 13 years of stock market trading. The [...]
Retail veteran Terry Duddy set to replace Bucher as Debenhams boss April 14, 2019 Retail veteran Terry Duddy is being lined up to take over as chief executive of department store chain Debenhams as administrators pin their hopes on the troubled firm’s interim chairman to lead a major restructuring plan. Read more: Revealed: All 15 LK Bennett stores set to close in Chinese sale Current chief executive Sergio Bucher is [...]
Sports Direct takes another swipe at Debenhams in share buyback April 11, 2019 Sports Direct took a further swipe at Debenhams this morning amid growing speculation that Mike Ashley is mulling legal action to remove the retailer’s current administrators. Read more: Mike Ashley considers legal action against Debenhams In a note to the London Stock Exchange the sportswear group announced a new share buyback programme, which it said was [...]
Sports Direct accuses Debenhams administrators of conflict of interest April 10, 2019 Sports Direct doubled down on its calls for the administration of Debenhams to be reversed this afternoon, as it mulls potential legal action following Mike Ashley’s failed bid to take control of the retail chain. Lawyers from the sportswear retailer said today that the appointment of administrators and the subsequent pre-pack administration only happened because Ashley’s own [...]