The Works activist investor hits back at retailer’s ‘absurd’ claims Retail The activist investor seeking to gain a seat on the board at The Works has hit back at the discount retailer’s “absurd” claims the move would undermine its growth plans. Kelso, an activist investor, has criticised the AIM-listed retailer for urging shareholders to block its attempt to install retired private equity partner Graeme Coulthard as [...]
The Works braces for boardroom battle as activist investor pushes for more control Retail Discount retailer The Works has been engulfed in a boardroom drama as a notorious activist investor pushes to install a retired private equity partner as a director. The retailer, which sells toys and arts and crafts, warned on Thursday that the attempted coup could “create unnecessary distraction [and] risk derailing” the board’s growth strategy. Kelso, [...]
Social media ban driving ‘screen-free’ sales, The Works boss says Retail The boss of discount retailer The Works has said the government’s crackdown on social media usage has driven customers towards the “screen-free activities” offered in his stores. Gavin Peck, chief executive of the Aim-listed retailer, believes Labour’s incoming social media ban has pushed up demand among parents for analogue activities for their children and was [...]
The Works shares soar as families look for ‘screen-free’ fun May 21, 2026 Shares in The Works soared on Thursday morning after the retailer said growing demand for “screen-free” entertainment is driving up revenue. The Aim-listed stock jumped 11 per cent on early trading, to 60p, after it reported revenue growth of more than three per cent to £260m in the year to May. The retailer saw like-for-like [...]
The Works shares jump after activist investor ups stake February 23, 2026 Shares in The Works jumped on Monday morning after a well-known small cap activist investor upped its stake in the retailer. The high street staple, which has more than 500 stores across the UK, had been trading with a market cap of just £20m despite turning over more than £250m annually. According to activist investor [...]
The Works: Shares triple in value after ‘living to fight another day’ July 22, 2025 Shares in The Works have more than tripled in price in the space of four months after recovering from investors questioning “its relevancy in modern retail”. Stock in the West Midlands-headquartered company was priced at 20p towards the end of March but their value has rocketed since then and are now changing hands for more [...]
The Works: Arts and crafts retailer slashes losses as new strategy unveiled January 24, 2025 High street arts and crafts retailer The Works reported a significant improvement in profitability for the first half of its financial year, as it unveiled a new strategy. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) showed a market improvement, with losses narrowing from £8.5m to £2.8m since the same period last year. Adjusted [...]
The Works: Arts and crafts retailer’s profit slumped as demand stayed soft October 1, 2024 High street arts and craft retailer The Works has reported weaker sales in 2024, leading to a slump in profit. Adjusted earning before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell by 30 per cent to £6m, from £9m last year, while adjusted profit before tax fell 39 per cent to £3.2m, from £5.3m in 2023. The [...]
The Works hoping to return to profit growth following challenging year May 21, 2024 Discount books and crafts supplier The Works is hoping to deliver more than £8m in profits next year, following a challenging 12 months in which it closed dozens of shops across the UK.
Activist investor Kelso gains board seats at The Works as it tries to enhance shareholder value February 14, 2024 Kelso chief John Goold and chief financial officer Mark Kirkland have gained non-executive director positions, and will focus on "all matters relating to shareholder value."