Dyson pulls plug on electric car project October 10, 2019 Sir James Dyson has abandoned his £1bn electric vehicle project after deciding the scheme is not commercially viable. Patents for the electric car, which the company hoped would compete with the likes of Tesla, were unveiled earlier this year. Read more: First details of Dyson electric car released At the time Dyson said the car would [...]
Business rates and Brexit eat up Pret a Manger profits October 10, 2019 Sandwich chain Pret a Manger suffered a slump in profit last year due to business rate increases and the threat of a no-deal Brexit. Turnover increased from £636.9m to £710m, but operating profit dropped from £57.9m to £19.6m in 2018. Earnings slumped to £91.38m from £97.79m. Read more: Parliament sees law to prevent allergy deaths [...]
Online cosmetics firm Cult Beauty hires advisers to explore sale October 10, 2019 Online cosmetics business Cult Beauty has reportedly hired advisers to explore a potential sale of the company. The firm, which is one of the UK’s fastest-growing online beauty businesses, has appointed JP Morgan to explore its options, Sky News reported. Read more: The Body Shop owner Natura buys Avon for £1.6bn Co-founders Jessica De Luca [...]
Dunelm shares slump despite revenue growth October 10, 2019 Shares in Dunelm dropped more than eight per cent this morning despite reporting growth in the first quarter, following a string of positive trading updates this year. Total like for like revenue grew 6.4 per cent to £255.6m, with a 34.7 per cent increase in online sales. In-store revenue was up 2.9 per cent to [...]
N Brown returns to profit after digital transformation October 10, 2019 Shares in N Brown jumped 7.8 per cent this morning after the plus-size retailer reported it returned to profit in the first half. The figures The retailer reported a statutory profit of £18.8m, up 169.4 per cent from a loss of £27.1m last year. Earnings increased four per cent from £52m to £54.1m in the [...]
Barclay brothers mull £800m sale of The Ritz Hotel October 10, 2019 David and Frederick Barclay, the billionaire brothers that own The Ritz, are reportedly mulling an £800m sale of the five-star Mayfair hotel. The twin brothers, who also own The Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine, bought the Grade-II listed building for £75m in 1995. Read more: Profits plunge at Barclay brothers’ Ritz hotel Richard Faber, Frederick [...]
London house prices dip amid Brexit uncertainty October 10, 2019 London house prices dipped last month as both sellers and buyers drag their feet until clarity emerges over the UK leaving the EU. In total 36 per cent of estate agents in the capital reported a fall in agreed sales and 30 per cent saw a drop in homes coming on to the market last [...]
Links of London collapses putting hundreds of jobs at risk October 9, 2019 Links of London has collapsed into administration in a further blow to the struggling UK high street, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The retailer appointed Deloitte as administrators after it ran out of cash before it was able to secure a sale or restructuring plan. Read more: Mike Ashley makes move for Links of [...]
Shareholders approve Greene King takeover deal October 9, 2019 Shareholders have given the green light to the £2.7bn acquisition of British pub chain Greene King by Hong Kong’s richest man. At an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today, 99.38 per cent of CK Asset Holdings shareholders voted to back the deal, with just 0.61 per cent opposing the takeover. Read more: Beer sales slip at [...]
Ladbrokes owner GVC upgrades earnings forecast October 9, 2019 GVC, the owner of Ladbrokes Coral, upgraded its full-year earnings guidance as the gambling giant reported an increase in over-the-counter trading following a government crack down on betting machines. The company increased its full-year guidance range to between £670m and £680m, from a previous estimate of £650m to £670m. Read more: GVC hit with £5.9m [...]
