John Lewis: ‘Transformation on track’ but chain still in the red September 12, 2024 The John Lewis Partnership has reported an improved set of half-year results and has said it is on target to significantly boost its performance for the full year. The iconic UK name, which also owns Waitrose, said sales topped £5.9bn in the 26 weeks ended 27 July, up by two per cent year on year. [...]
Burberry: How low will ‘lost’ luxury fashion label’s shares go after FTSE 100 relegation? September 11, 2024 Burberry’s share price just keeps dropping and the decline is has shown almost no signs of slowing down for more than a year. It hit a 15-year low of 565p this week, after reaching a 14-year low in July, after hitting an all-time high of £2,690p last April. It is set to drop out of [...]
Luke 1977: UK’s economic woes to hit fashion industry for next three years September 11, 2024 Menswear brand Luke 1977 has warned that the “current economic climate” will continue to impact on the fashion industry for the next two to three years. The Oxfordshire-headquartered business said the fashion industry is also “experiencing challenges relating to climate control”, ranging from the reduction of carbon foot prints to the use of recyclable materials. [...]
Garmin predicts further sales boost as wearable fitness tech surges September 11, 2024 Wearable technology giant Garmin has predicted its European sales will surge by 14 per cent in 2024 thanks in part to new products being launched. The Southampton-headquartered division made the forecast in newly-filed accounts with Companies House which revealed an increase in both its turnover and pre-tax profit during 2023. The results show that Garmin [...]
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 [...]
Boohoo makes major US change in bid to broaden appeal September 11, 2024 Boohoo has announced significant changes to its operations in the US market as it looks to broaden its product offering across the Atlantic. The Manchester-headquartered group will stop supplying US customers from its distribution centre in Pennsylvania, as the company’s management look at ways to drive a more sustainable and profitable business. Orders will instead [...]
Asos slashes £500m debt pile as refinancing deals revealed September 11, 2024 Asos has announced the successful refinancing of the majority of its £500m debt due in 2026, with only just over £70m outstanding. The online fast-fashion retailer, which has struggled with post-pandemic shopping trends, had £500m in convertible bonds due 2026. The London-headquartered company has now exchanged £253m into convertible bonds due in 2028 rather than [...]
Dunelm prepares to open first London stores as sales and profit rise September 11, 2024 London-listed homeware retailer Dunelm has seen its sales tick up despite its customers facing “competing demands” for their disposable income. The Leicester-headquartered firm saw its overall revenue climb to £1.7bn in the 12 months to 29 June 2024, up from £1.64bn the previous year—growth of 4.1 per cent. This increase was largely driven by 6.2 [...]
Mike Ashley works his magic at Hornby as sales jump September 11, 2024 The impact of Mike Ashley advising Hornby, the international models and collectibles group, has been revealed. The retail tycoon. whose Frasers Group significantly upped its stake in the Kent-headquartered listed company in February, took up a consultancy role in March. Hornby, in a trading update to the London Stock Exchange, has revealed that its sales [...]
Gymshark names bodybuilder Chris Bumstead as new shareholder September 10, 2024 Fitness apparel brand Gymshark has named bodybuilder Chris Bumstead as a new shareholder. The Solihull-headquartered business has not revealed the percentage stake Bumstead now holds. Gymshark was founded by Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan in 2012. In 2020, it was valued at more than £1bn when US private equity firm General Atlantic acquired a 21 [...]