Majestic pops its cork as profits rise during the slump November 16, 2009 MAJESTIC Wines yesterday toasted its recent trading over the first half of the year by reporting a nine per cent hike in pre-tax profits to £6.1m The group recently slashed its minimum order for customers from 12 bottles to six bottles to take advantage of the booming drinking-at-home market. As a result sales to private [...]
Debenhams kicks off retail price war November 16, 2009 Debenhams yesterday announced it will be slashing £250m off prices in a four-day sale this week, in a move which it predicts will spark a price war similar to the frenzied discounting seen last Christmas. Rival Marks & Spencer’s executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose, said earlier this month he did not expect a repeat of [...]
CITY VIEWS: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ONLINE OR HIGH ST? November 16, 2009 HOCINE YAICHE MOODYS“I am always a last minute shopper, so I have never actually done my Christmas shopping online. It is also a bit a problem doing it online as you then have to get it delivered, and are at work most of the time. But I do think the trend is probably more towards [...]
Doubt over Button future deepens as Mercedes take charge of Brawn November 16, 2009 MERCEDES chiefs insist their takeover of Brawn GP will not mean world champion Jenson Button is forced out to make way for an all-German driving line-up. The German manufacturer yesterday bought a 75 per cent stake in Brawn, in a move that will see the 2009 constructors’ champions rebranded as Mercedes GP. Mercedes have meanwhile [...]
Placenta forward: Van Persie tries bizarre injury treatment November 16, 2009 ARSENAL forward Robin van Persie is pinning his hopes of a quick recovery from injury on an unusual treatment – involving a placenta. Van Persie will have fluid from a placenta rubbed on his ankle, following a recommendation from PSV Eindhoven midfielder Danko Lazovic. The Holland international, who has been in irresistible form for the [...]
Levein in the frame as Burley is sacked November 16, 2009 DUNDEE UNITED boss Craig Levein is the early favourite to become the next Scotland boss after George Burley was sacked yesterday after 22 months in charge. Scottish FA chiefs called an extraordinary meeting after fans turned on Burley following Saturday’s demoralising 3-0 defeat by Wales. Chief executive Gordon Smith gave Burley a vote of confidence [...]
Arthur lashes England over November 16, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA coach Mickey Arthur has opened the floodgates for a war of words with England after hitting out at their “criminal” treatment of spinner Adil Rashid. The Yorkshire leg-spinner bowled just one over in England’s crushing 84-run Pro20 defeat in Pretoria onSunday, going for 25 runs before stand-in captain Alastair Cook turned to part-timers [...]
Fit-again Shaw gives Johnson a boost November 16, 2009 FIT-AGAIN Simon Shaw handed England manager Martin Johnson a timely boost yesterday by rejoining the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with New Zealand at Twickenham. The 36-year-old Wasps lock linked up with the squad at their Pennyhill Park base after recovering from the foot injury which ruled him out of the start of the season. [...]
Pacquiao is running scared, claims Floyd November 16, 2009 FLOYD MAYWEATHER has accused Manny Pacquaio of running scared of a potential super-fight next year. Pacquiao was linked to a showdown with Mayweather after justifying his claim as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world when stopping Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on Sunday. But Mayweather has accused the five-weight champion of being “one-dimensional” and [...]
Rory has the world at his feet November 16, 2009 ON THE GREENS WITH SAM TORRANCERORY MCILROY could enjoy his crowing glory in Dubai this Sunday, but whatever happens, 2009 will always go down as the year when a new golfing superstar was born. At 20, young Rory could become the second youngest European No1 behind Seve Ballesteros this week if he holds off rivals [...]
