By: Helen Cahill

I report on retail and property for City A.M. I have covered the investigation into BHS and London's housing crisis. You can email me on helen.cahill@cityam.com with tips or commentary.

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Shareholder groups pile the pressure on Mike Ashley as new groups speak out against the retail tycoon

August 26, 2016

Fresh voices are adding to calls for a shake up at Sports Direct, with investors demanding a review of corporate governance and some shareholders even urging the retailer's founder Mike Ashley to step down from the board. Ashley has faced a volley of criticism after admitting to the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee [...]
More good news for Mike Ashley – another shareholder group has said they plan to kick up a fuss at Sports Direct’s public AGM

August 25, 2016

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has joined calls from shareholder groups for a review of corporate governance at Sports Direct. The group said it would be voting against the re-election of non-executive directors at Sports Direct because the company "needs a stronger body of independent non-executive directors to ensure the business is run in the [...]
John Lewis is recruiting 3,500 staff to help it through the Christmas season

August 25, 2016

It may be August, but the big retailers are already preparing for the festive season to make the most out of the sector's busiest trading period. John Lewis is recruiting 3,500 staff to work in both the retail and distribution arms of the business during the Christmas season; all the temporary staff will go through training to [...]
Sports Direct day: Mike Ashley is opening his company’s AGM to the public

August 24, 2016

Sports Direct's founder Mike Ashley invited MPs to visit the company's Shirebrook warehouse while they were investigating working conditions at the site – and now he's inviting you too. Yes, that's right, Sports Direct is opening its annual general meeting (AGM) to the public so everyone can have a go at Ashley for paying his workers [...]
Rents are increasing fastest in the South East and the East of England, not London

August 24, 2016

Rising rents are a headache for Londoners who can't afford to put down a deposit on a home – but price increases are actually larger outside the capital. According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), rents grew 3.5 per cent over the past year in the south east, compared to a rise [...]
Lending to London’s home movers sinks as first-time buyers edge onto the property market

August 24, 2016

Home movers are releasing their grip on London's housing market, as data released from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows they took out fewer loans in the second quarter. CML said home movers withdrew 6,700 loans in the second quarter, a fall of 37 per cent as compared to the first quarter of 2016. [...]
John Lewis looks to boost footfall with £9m investment in its beauty halls

August 23, 2016

John Lewis is investing £9bn in its beauty halls to bring new brands to customers and increase footfall. The Cambridge, Cribbs Causeway and Bluewater John Lewis stores will be refurbished and the company hopes to increase footfall in these locations by around 50 per cent. The retailer also plans to invest in its Peter Jones department [...]
Property transactions edged down in July, defying expectations of a Brexit vote-related crash

August 23, 2016

The number of property transactions edged downwards in July, putting to bed concerns that the Brexit vote would result in a dramatic fall in sales. According to figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the number of residential property transactions fell by 0.9 per cent between June and July. Read more: This is where all the [...]
Persimmon’s profit jumps as demand from customers remains “encouraging” after the Brexit vote

August 23, 2016

Housebuilder Persimmon brushed off any worries the company has been hit by Brexit as it posted a strong set of half year results today. The company's share price was up 4.24 per cent in afternoon trading after it announced profit before tax jumped 29 per cent in the six months to the end of June, up to £352.3m. Revenue increased [...]
Supermarket sales creep upwards as grocers benefit from the summer sun

August 23, 2016

Grocery sales edged up this summer as sunny weather encouraged shoppers to spend. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel, supermarket sales increased by 0.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 14 August – the fastest growth in the grocery market since March this year. There is no evidence yet to suggest the Brexit vote [...]

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By: Helen Cahill

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