Next: Analysts look for potential sales forecast upgrade in upcoming results September 15, 2024 Next could upgrade its forecast for full-year sales next week as the retailer looks to capitalise on new business overseas. The clothing retailer reports its interim results on Thursday amid a backdrop of 28 per cent growth in its share price so far this year. Next reported a 4.4 per cent rise in sales in [...]
UK at risk of losing out on Unilever ice-cream float September 15, 2024 The UK is at risk of losing out on a key deal for London because it hasn’t appointed an investment minister, according to a former Barclays chairman. Gerry Grimstone, who also worked as investment minister at the Treasury from 2020-2022, said that Labour’s lack of focus on boosting the UK’s stock market may see Unilever’s [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]