Popular Peroni helps SABMiller in the UK as sales fall elsewhere January 21, 2014 SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer, yesterday fell short of forecasts with a two per cent rise in sales volumes, though UK sales were led nine per cent higher by the popularity of Peroni lager. Soft drink volumes were up seven per cent worldwide in the final three months of 2013, but were offset by a [...]
SSP lines up advisers to work on possible public offering in London January 21, 2014 SSP has reportedly hired Lazard as it looks to go public on the London market. The firm, which runs cafes and restaurants at airports and train stations, could be valued at £2bn in a stock market float, according to the Telegraph. SSP hired former WH Smith boss Kate Swann to lead the firm last summer, [...]
St Tropez gives glow to profits at PZ Cussons January 21, 2014 PZ CUSSONS, the maker of Imperial Leather soaps, said yesterday pre-tax profits rose by eight per cent in the first half, thanks to new products and a strong performance from St Tropez. The group posted a four per cent rise in sales to £431.8m in the six months to 30 November and pre-tax profits of [...]
Industry leaders arrive for business summit January 21, 2014 BUSINESS leaders and politicians are descending on the Swiss town of Davos this week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, one of the most high-profile networking events of the year. Topics that will certainly be on the agenda include everything from the worrisome slowdown in emerging markets to uncertainty over the tapering [...]
Brazilian PM bucks trends at Davos 2014 January 21, 2014 DECLINING numbers of women are attending Davos this year with women accounting for just 15 per cent of the 2,633 attendees, compared to 17 per cent last year. Fighting the decline is Brazil’s leftist President Dilma Rousseff who will attend this week to try to convince the world’s business elite that her country is still [...]
Global growth will boost oil use, says IEA January 21, 2014 GLOBAL oil demand will rise more quickly this year as economic growth in industrialised countries accelerates, absorbing more supply even as US shale oil production reaches record highs, the energy watchdog said yesterday. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said world oil consumption would increase by 1.3m barrels per day (bpd) in 2014, 50,000 bpd higher [...]
Next Fifteen buys majority stake in Clerkenwell web design firm January 21, 2014 NEXT Fifteen has taken a 51 per cent stake in Republic Publishing, the Clerkenwell-based website creator with clients including Vodafone, Nokia and O2, the communications group reported yesterday. Republic reported profits of £400,000 during the year to 31 October on revenues of £2.5m. “We believe there is so much opportunity in continuing to deliver quality [...]
Petra digs up rare blue diamond January 21, 2014 Miner Petra Diamonds yesterday revealed that it has recovered a rare blue diamond. The precious stone is 29.6 carats, and was found at its Cullinan mine in South Africa. The company says the stone is “one of the most exceptional” it has ever recovered at the mine, which is an important source of blue diamonds [...]
Cointreau chases Chinese sales January 21, 2014 French spirits group Remy Cointreau has forecast a return to growth in the key Chinese market next year on the back of increased promotional efforts, hoping to buck a trend that sent cognac sales down 32 per cent in the third quarter. Group sales reached €287.6m (£235.7m) in the final three months of the year. [...]
Boeing sells 40 planes to Gecas January 21, 2014 Boeing took an order for 40 of its best-selling 737 planes yesterday, in a deal worth $4bn at list prices. General Electric component Gecas, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, placed the order for 737-800s and the future 737 MAX, with delivery from 2017. Gecas was formed in 1993 after GE acquired most of the [...]
