M&S seeks to persuade investors of Ocado deal benefits July 9, 2019 Marks & Spencer today insisted its £750m joint venture with Ocado would boost profits as it aimed to persuade uncertain investors on the benefits of the deal. The high street giant is aiming to double the size of its food business and said the tie-up with the delivery service would set it “well on the [...]
Online sales to overtake high street in next decade July 9, 2019 Internet shopping will overtake physical stores in the next 10 years as deliveries become cheaper, faster and more convenient, a new report has found. Online sales are estimated to account for 53 per cent of all retail sales by 2028. Read more: Mike Ashley calls for online sales tax to revive high street The popularity [...]
June retail sales drop drags average to 20-year low July 9, 2019 Declining retail sales in June dragged the yearly average down to the lowest level in more than 20 years as this summer’s weather failed to match the 2018 heatwave. Total sales decreased by 1.3 per cent in June, compared to a rise of 2.3 per cent in the same month last year, according to research [...]
Primark founder Arthur Ryan dies following short illness July 8, 2019 Primark founder Arthur Ryan has died, the high street retailer announced today. Ryan, who was the chairman and former chief executive of the budget fashion chain, passed away aged 83 following a short illness. Read more: Primark owner blames sales drop on unseasonable weather The businessman founded the first Primark store under the name Penney’s [...]
Matalan warns on margins after ‘tough’ May July 8, 2019 Matalan warned today that poor spring weather would dampen its second quarter results after the retailer was forced to slash prices. The budget fashion brand said May was one of the toughest months “in a number of years”, after unseasonable weather lead to earlier discounting. Read more: Matalan boosts revenue despite tough retail climate Total revenue [...]
London equity capital markets remain resilient despite uncertainties July 8, 2019 London remained a bright spot for equity capital markets as investors shrugged off economic and political uncertainties in the first half of this year. Total funds raised in the UK in the first half of this year reached £19.2bn, up from 22 per cent in the second half of 2018. Read more: Private equity investment [...]
Vogue publisher Conde Nast dumps stake in retail platform Farfetch July 7, 2019 Conde Nast, the publisher of Vogue magazine, has dumped its £234m stake in luxury retail platform Farfetch. The company has concerns over how the marketplace is managed under founder and chief executive Jose Neves, according to the Sunday Times. Read more: Conde Nast launches new online magazine Vogue Business The newspaper reported that Conde Nast [...]
Sir Philip Green wins legal battle against US landlords July 7, 2019 Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green has won a legal battle with a group of US landlords after a court dismissed their claim following the collapse into bankruptcy of Topshop USA. Five US landlords including Vornado were attempting to recoup more than £100m, saying that Green’s restructuring of retail empire Arcadia had compromised their rights as [...]
Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods facing shareholder revolt over executive pay July 7, 2019 Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods could face a shareholder revolt at its upcoming meeting over pay handed to its former chief executive. Shareholder advisory firm ISS is urging investors to oppose the company’s remuneration report at its annual general meeting (AGM) next week. Read more: Mr Kipling owner boosted by Ambrosia and Loyd Grossman In [...]
Asos prepares job cuts as sales slump July 7, 2019 Around 100 jobs are at risk at Asos’s London headquarters as the online retailer battles with slumping sales. The fast-fashion brand is consulting on a round of redundancies, which will mainly affect the marketing department, the Sunday Times reported. Read more: Eurozone retail sales see suprise fall in May Asos issued a warning in December, [...]
