King’s Cross station reopened after “Mr Sands” alert and evacuation over false alarm January 13, 2016 King's Cross station was reopened after being evacuated this morning over an emergency alert. Commuters reported being evacuated from the Underground during rush hour today following a tannoy announcement for "Mr Sands". That is the code to alert staff and services including the police and London Fire Brigade to an emergency such as a fire. It's a long-standing code, first [...]
Sainsbury’s share price drops, while Home Retail Group’s rises on back of detailed plan for renewed Argos bid January 13, 2016 Sainsbury's trading update may have beaten expectations – but attention has been focused on the supermarket's bid for Argos parent Home Retail Group. Although the original offer was rebuffed, Sainsbury's has until 2 February to decide whether to make a second bid. Renewed speculation has pushed Home's share price up five per cent, although Sainsbury's share [...]
Ted Baker posts double-digit sales growth over Christmas January 13, 2016 Ted Baker has avoided the warm weather woes hurting other fashion retailers this year to post a double-digit increase in sales over Christmas. The figures The lifestyle brand increased retail sales 10.1 per cent in the eight weeks to 9 January. Its ecommerce arm performed particularly well, with sales up 39.1 per cent. Average [...]
Sports Direct’s share price rises after increasing US exposure with stake in Dick’s Sporting Goods and increased holding in Umbro parent Iconix January 13, 2016 Mike Ashley's Sports Direct has increased its stake in Umbro's US owner Iconix Brand Group and taken a holding in US retailer Dick's Sporting Goods, flexing its international muscles further. Sports Direct now owns just over 11.5 per cent of Iconix, which bought Umbro in 2012, having built up a position in the business since November. The retailer, which [...]
Sainsbury’s share price drops despite beating expectations as supermarket offers more detail on possible Argos deal January 13, 2016 Sainsbury's share price dropped this morning, despite beating expectations for the crucial Christmas period – and lifting the lid on its reasons for making a bid for Argos parent Home Retail Group. The figures Total retail sales for the supermarket were up 0.8 per cent in the 15 weeks to 9 January. Including fuel, sales were down [...]
Hundreds of Southeastern trains cancelled for second day after Barnehurst landslide as signal failures at King’s Cross bring down Hammersmith & City, Circle Line January 13, 2016 Hundreds of trains were cancelled this morning after Southeastern was forced to shut the entire Bexleyheath Line after yesterday's landslip at Barnehurst. The line between Lewisham and Dartford will be closed for the entire day. Services from Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Welling, Falconwood, Eltham and Kidbrooke were affected, with Southeastern advising passengers to use alternative routes including London Underground and [...]
Aldi sold one million turkeys this Christmas January 12, 2016 Traditional retailers might have had a tough Christmas trading period, but Aldi continues to prove it's no turkey. The German grocer today said it experienced its highest ever sales in a single day this festive period – peaking on 23 December – since launching in the UK 25 years ago. The discount retailer welcomed "hundreds of [...]
Istanbul blast bomber identified as Syrian, nine dead were foreign, says President Erdoğan January 12, 2016 All nine people killed in this morning's blast in Istanbul are believed to be foreign, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said. The blast went off in Sultanahmet Square – home to the Blue Mosque – at around 10am local time (8am UK time). The explosion took place near to the Sultanahmet tram stop and [...]
Tesco, Asda and Morrisons named Christmas losers by Kantar as Waitrose, the Co operative, Aldi and Lidl crowned the winners January 12, 2016 There was little Christmas cheer for the supermarket sector – but some individual grocers outperformed the wider market, Kantar Worldpanel said this morning. The sector as a whole fell 0.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to 3 January, with Asda dropping the furthest – consumer spend at the Walmart-owned retailer was down 3.5 per cent. Tesco [...]
Boohoo’s share price climbs as it ups guidance after sales soar January 12, 2016 Boohoo has raised its revenue guidance for the financial year as its sales soared 45 per cent in the four months to 31 December. The figures Boohoo has had a very strong period, with revenues up 45 per cent in the UK, 33 per cent in Europe and 52 per cent in the rest of the [...]
