Sales rise but market share falls for Big Four grocers as Aldi and Lidl continue to grow October 17, 2017 Each of the big four grocers has grown sales but seen a decrease in market share as Aldi and Lidl can now boast half the total market’s growth, new figures show. Morrisons was the fastest growing of the large retailers, with sales up 2.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to 8 October, followed by [...]
Poundworld founder Chris Edwards to head up rival Poundstretcher October 15, 2017 Struggling bargain retailer Poundstretcher is set to be taken over by the founder of one of its main competitors, Poundworld. Chris Edwards, who founded Poundworld in 1974, is in line to become chief executive of Poundstretcher, the Sunday Times reported yesterday. Poundworld sold a majority stake to American private equity firm TPG in 2015 for [...]
Aldi bags record UK sales growth though profit dips as it plans more UK expansion September 25, 2017 German budget grocer Aldi’s quest for UK domination continues as its sales growth picked up in the UK, though profits dipped in its full-year results due to “continued investment in prices and infrastructure”. The supermarket onslaught continues however, as the firm outlined plans for 70 new supermarkets for 2018 amid its efforts to hit 1,000 [...]
Holland & Barrett sold to Russian billionaire for £1.8bn June 26, 2017 Health food store Holland & Barrett has been sold to a Russian billionaire for £1.8bn. US private equity firm Carlyle is selling the UK’s largest health retailer to L1 Retail, a fund controlled by Mikhail Fridman. The deal for the 1,150 store chain is the first acquisition for L1 Retail. It is thought that chief [...]
Up to 3,000 jobs at risk as Tesco cuts down opening hours at 69 stores April 5, 2017 Thousands of jobs are at risk in Tesco as the supermarket cuts down opening hours. Up to 3,000 employees in 69 stores across the UK will be affected by the changes, announced today by the FTSE-listed supermarket. Restocking hours will be moved from night to day in the stores affected, with 24-hour opening ending at [...]
Revealed: Notes coffee shop nets £600,000 loan from challenger bank OakNorth to open two new London branches, despite Brexit uncertainty March 13, 2017 Notes has struck a deal for a £600,000 loan to open two further branches in London, including its largest site to date, City A.M. has learnt. The coffee shop and wine bar chain, which already has six sites dotted around the capital, hopes to push ahead with aggressive growth plans in the near future and the [...]
Aldi is harnessing the ’90s revival with a retro new logo March 13, 2017 Aldi has launched a retro new logo as it goes for a ‘90s update to the German supermarket’s blue, red and orange badge. Aldi Sued, the owner of the discount supermarket, rejected the flat design of its current logo, plumping instead for the gradient sheen beloved of companies when computers first became capable of giving [...]
Now you can use Apple Pay in Ireland – just swipe your iPhone March 7, 2017 iPhone owners in Ireland rejoice – you can now get on board with Apple Pay and just swipe your phone (or Apple Watch) to make a purchase. The tech giant has launched the payment service in its sixth market in Europe, supporting Irish banking customers with Ulster Bank and KBC as well as Boon, an app [...]
Turnaround plan looks set to pay off for Morrisons March 5, 2017 The turnaround at Morrisons supermarkets headed by CEO David Potts looks set to gather speed this week as the company reports its best annual results in six years. The chain is likely to report a 54 per cent rise in pre-tax earnings to £335m on Thursday, according to predictions by banking firm Jefferies. The firm [...]
Ultimate Products’ London IPO has been priced at £105m ahead of it joining the main market next week March 1, 2017 Ultimate Products' offer price has been set at 128p, which will equate to a market capitalisation of approximately £105.2m. The offer comprises 41,084,800 shares, representing 50 per cent of the company’s issued share capital on admission. Shore Capital is acting as sponsor, global co-ordinator and bookrunner to the Company, and Cenkos is acting as joint bookrunner. [...]