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 [...]
Grocery inflation stabilises, but Brits still concerned about shopping costs September 10, 2024 Grocery inflation has returned to its downward trend but nearly two thirds of Brits remain worried about the rising cost of their shopping, according to fresh data. Annual grocery price inflation in the four weeks to 1 September fell to 1.7 per cent, down from 1.8 per cent in the previous four-week period, according to [...]
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 [...]
Luceco: Sales rise beyond expectations at lighting giant September 10, 2024 Revenue at LED lighting specialist Luceco grew beyond expectations during the first half of its financial year as easing inflation helped to stabilise prices. The London-listed firm, which is headquartered in Telford, saw its sales increase to £109.6m in the six months ending 30 June, 2024, up from £101.1m in the same period last year. [...]
Sales rise fails to stop loss widening at Wilkinson Sword September 10, 2024 A rise in turnover at Wilkinson Sword failed to stop its pre-tax loss widening during its latest financial year, according to newly-filed documents. The company, whose brands also include Playtex, Hawaiian Tropic and skincare label Bulldog, has reported a turnover of £132.4m for the year to 30 September, 2023, up from £116.9m in the prior [...]
JD Sports puts almost 200 jobs at risk as it moves to close major distribution centre September 10, 2024 Almost 200 jobs have been put at risk of redundancy after JD Sports confirmed plans to close one of its major distribution centres. The Greater Manchester-headquartered group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, is to shutter its location at Derby Commercial Park. The move comes after JD Sports penned a 20-year lease on [...]
House of Fraser: Profit doubles at Mike Ashley’s department store chain amid store closures September 10, 2024 House of Fraser more than doubled its pre-tax profit despite a fall in revenue after closing stores across the country, it has been revealed. The performance of the department store chain, which is owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, has been outlined in accounts filed with Companies House more than seven months after the deadline. [...]
Bloom & Wild hires first finance chief from Purplebricks as it targets return to profit September 10, 2024 Online flower delivery company Bloom & Wild has appointed a top boss at Purplebricks at its first-ever chief financial officer. Dominique Highfield has been hired by the London-based group from her position as chief operating officer at the online estate agency. Highfield has been at Purplebricks for almost two years, first joining in November 2022 [...]