Online fashion giant Asos set to reveal sparkling Christmas sales January 12, 2014 ONLINE fashion giant Asos is set to report a leap in sales of as much as 38 per cent tomorrow thanks to rising demand in Germany and a strong performance in the UK. The online retailer is expected to have bucked the gloom faced by many bricks and mortar retailers this Christmas, with Peel Hunt [...]
Bottom Line: Supermarket needs to focus on web and sales, not real estate January 12, 2014 THE debate being waged over whether Morrisons should sell some of its freehold estate surely misses the point about the grocery chain’s future. There is nothing wrong with the structure of Morrisons’ estate that a little tinkering can not remedy. And it will remain, as it has insisted, “overwhelmingly freehold” – that is as long [...]
Clegg: I would support benefit ban for migrants January 12, 2014 NICK CLEGG would support the principle of a two-year ban on EU migrants claiming benefits, he indicated yesterday. Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “I’m up for establishing a clear principle that says the freedom to move around the European Union to look for work is one thing, but it’s [...]
Labour to focus on smaller firms and sites in new housing plan January 12, 2014 LABOUR’S shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds will announce a new housing policy today and admit that the UK has underbuilt for the last 30 years, including under previous Labour governments. Reynolds will address the National House Building Council, where she will unveil Labour’s Build First policy, a scheme to encourage more competition in the construction [...]
Peter Cruddas joins Business for Britain in January board revamp January 12, 2014 BILLIONAIRE businessman Peter Cruddas has joined the board of Business for Britain, an independent group campaigning for a better deal from the EU. Cruddas is one of eight new board members at the group, headed up by Matthew Elliott, founder of the Taxpayers’ Alliance. Other new faces include Adrian McAlpine, partner at Sir Robert McAlpine; [...]
Building plans not enough to stop shortfall January 12, 2014 THE HOUSING supply crisis in England means the country will have a shortfall of 1m homes in just seven years, with half the needed properties in London and the south east. Countrywide’s quarterly analysis of the housing market, released today, shows how the demand for housing has steadily climbed since the financial crisis. While there [...]
Workers in top job cities see rents outstrip higher salaries January 12, 2014 YOUNG workers moving to cities with better job prospects are paying whopping extra rental charges, outstripping the effect of higher pay in more prosperous areas. An average income in London is £460 higher per month than in England generally, but a typical one-bedroom flat is £648 per month more expensive to rent, draining away the [...]
Genel founders on the verge of £100m payout January 12, 2014 NAT ROTHSCHILD and five other founders of Genel Energy are edging closer to receiving a bumper bonus payout, if shares continue to reach record highs. The billionaire financier and other founders – who include former BP chief Tony Hayward – will receive around £100m in total, if shares in the Kurdistan-focused oil explorer close higher [...]
Gores close to taking a slice of Hovis from Premier Foods January 12, 2014 PRIVATE equity company Gores Group is eyeing up a slice of bread brand Hovis as part of its parent company’s restructuring efforts, according to reports. Current owner Premier Foods hired Ondra Partners several months ago to look at options for the bread company, and Gores is seen as the frontrunner to become a partner in [...]
Chinese shoppers boost Ferragamo January 12, 2014 Travelling Chinese shoppers snapping up leather goods will drive sales growth in 2014 at luxury group Salvatore Ferragamo, its chief executive said yesterday, before it showed a menswear collection aimed at promoting its Italian heritage. Michele Norsa said the group had closed 2013 in line with its expectations, but that it was important to wait [...]
