Pepsico marketing push sends beverage sales fizzing in key North American market October 2, 2018 Pepsico beat analysts’ expectations as net income grew 16 per cent year-on-on year to $2.5bn (£1.9bn) in the company’s third quarter. Its fortunes were spurred by 2.5 per cent organic growth in the company's North American beverages division, after outgoing chief executive Indra Nooyi refused to countenance a spin-off of the business in her time in charge. [...]
Lavazza fills its cup with a multi-million pound coffee deal for Mars Drinks October 1, 2018 Italian coffee maker Lavazza is set to buy the coffee arm of food giant Mars, Mars Drinks, in a deal potentially worth around $650m (£499m). The acquisition, expected to close in December, will see Lavazza take over Mars' tabletop Flavia machines and the Klix freestanding vending machine business. Mars Drinks employs 900 people and turned over approximately $350 [...]
Pfizer CEO steps down after eight years in charge of US drugs giant October 1, 2018 Pfizer chief executive Ian Read will step down from the role at the end of the year after almost a decade in charge of the pharmaceutical giant. The Scot will be succeeded by chief operating officer Albert Bourla, a veteran of Pfizer's Innovative Health business area, which recorded $31bn (£24bn) in revenue last year. Bourla, 56, [...]
Selfridges posts record operating profit as investment programme pays off October 1, 2018 A major revamp has helped Selfridges increase sales by 11.5 per cent year-on-year, as operating profits rose to a record £181m for its latest financial year. The department store is now in the final 12 months of its four-year £300m investment programme, transforming its London store and increasing its digital capabilities. Read more: Analysts warn of Debenhams [...]
Aldi may drop prices to compete with Tesco’s new budget venture Jack’s October 1, 2018 Low-cost supermarket chain Aldi "will never be beaten on price", and could even drop them in response to Tesco's new low-cost venture Jack's, it said today. UK and Ireland chief executive Giles Hurley said Aldi welcomes competition from new players such as Jack's, adding: "If we need to reduce retail prices we will." Read more: Drastic Dave's no-frills move must [...]
Shares drop as Just Group CFO announces departure amid regulatory uncertainty October 1, 2018 Just Group's shares fell sharply on news this morning that chief financial officer Simon Thomas is to step down at the end of the month. Shares initially declined by nine per cent, but had recovered to a drop of five per cent by around midday. Read more: Mercer slams CMA for data errors in pension [...]
Golden Ferrari goes on sale in first gold-themed auction at Sotheby’s October 1, 2018 A golden Ferrari is expected to sell for up to £450,000 as it goes on sale later this month at auction house Sotheby’s. The 1977 Ferrari 512 BB, which has three previous owners, will be sold at the world’s first auction dedicated entirely to gold. When bought by its most recent owner in 1997 the [...]
Martin Sorrell says he regrets nothing months after leaving WPP amid allegations of misconduct October 1, 2018 Sir Martin Sorrell has said he has no regrets over his behaviour while in charge of WPP. The former chief executive left the firm in April after claims of personal misconduct, saying his departure was in “the best interest of the business.” In an interview with the BBC, Sorrell denied treating subordinates poorly, using company [...]
London companies dominate list of UK startups where professionals most want to work, new analysis reveals October 1, 2018 London dominates the UK’s startup scene, new analysis from LinkedIn shows. All but one of the country’s 25 top startups are based in the capital, the social media site found. The analysis uses searches and company page views from LinkedIn’s half a billion users, over 25m of which are in the UK, and shows the [...]
Bloom & Wild aims to woo Europe with letterbox flowers, following £15m investment October 1, 2018 Bloom & Wild will expand into new European markets following a £15m fundraiser led by private equity house Piper. The online flower gifting brand aims to become the UK market leader and continue expanding in new and existing European markets. The latest fundraiser will also help the company invest in technology and staff. Founded in [...]
