OFT says Mercedes broke rules June 28, 2012 The UK’s consumer watchdog said that German automaker Mercedes-Benz and five UK dealers of its trucks and vans may have broken competition law by co-operating illegally. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) issued a provisional finding alleging that the Mercedes-Benz unit of German automotive group Daimler AG and five UK auto dealers were involved in [...]
Pursuit dives after update June 28, 2012 Shares in fluid technology firm Pursuit Dynamics suffered losses yesterday after it said current year revenues are expected to be around £1m – disappointing investors who had hoped that the company would win more exclusive contracts. The firm also said it plans to reduce its head-count to 40 from the current level of 61. As [...]
Pubbers in need of an everyday treat boost Greene King June 28, 2012 GREENE King’s full year results suggest that the pub industry, if anything, is recession resilient. The pub operator and brewer posted record pre-tax profits of £152m, up 8.6 per cent on the year before, as revenues jumped 9.4 per cent to £1.14bn. Chief executive Rooney Anand told City A.M., “After reaching the £1bn turnover landmark [...]
DO YOU STILL GO OUT TO EAT IN PUBS AND RESTAURANTS? June 28, 2012 MARTIN JACKS SKANSEN INTERIORS “I still go to restaurants and pubs as much as I used to, in fact probably more, as I want to take my mind off everything that is going on economically. People are more picky about where they go and pubs are considered cheaper.” STEPHEN ALLEN RFC AMBRIAN “Of course I [...]
Holidays help bring sales joy to Debenhams June 28, 2012 DEBENHAMS posted better-than-expected sales yesterday after events such as the Diamond Jubilee and the Easter bank holiday helped lure shoppers through its doors despite the wet spring weather. Britain’s second-largest department store group after John Lewis said that sales at stores open more than a year rose 3.1 per cent, excluding VAT, in the 16 [...]
HAS DEBENHAMS WEATHERED THE RETAIL STORM? June 28, 2012 BETHANY HOCKING INVESTEC We turned buyers of Debenhams last week, given the transformation that the company has undergone, increasing cash returns to shareholders and significant growth avenues…This potential is not reflected in the share price. JOHN STEVENSON PEEL HUNT Debenhams has announced a strong third quarter interim statement. Forecasts remain unchanged for now as sales [...]
Polo stars turn out in force for deprived kids June 28, 2012 POLO stars have raised more than £100,000 for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Argentina following a weekend event at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor. The players were enthusiastic as was the support from the celebrity-filled stands, with the likes of rugby’s Sean Fitzpatrick and Boris Becker in attendance. And the victory seemed to [...]
LONDON 2012 IMAGE OF THE WEEK June 28, 2012 ON WEDNESDAY, giant Olympic rings were lowered into place beneath Tower Bridge’s walkways, signalling one month to go until the Games begin. Measuring 25 metres wide and 11.5 metres tall, the rings will remain in place throughout London 2012. They will also form the centrepiece of a lightshow, using the bridge’s newly-installed lighting system, which [...]
Spanish buses boost National Express sales June 28, 2012 NATIONAL Express reassured shareholders that its Spanish bus business is still growing yesterday, but added that its UK coach division has been dented by the cut in subsidies for OAP passengers. Just a week after the firm took investors on a trip to Madrid to demonstrate its resilience in the Eurozone nation, National Express said [...]
Five years old: iPhone hits the grand old age June 28, 2012 CELEBRATING its fifth birthday today, the world’s most iconic smartphone continues to dominate its rivals according to data from Ipsos MORI. Revealed to the world by Steve Jobs in January 2007, the first iPhone was scanned through the till on 29 June of the same year. British fans of Apple will be able to celebrate [...]
