Asda considers new George home brand October 9, 2013 BRITAIN’S second largest retailer Asda is considering launching homeware under the George brand. The Walmart–owned group has applied for the trademark George.home according to filings published last week on the Intellectual Property Office website. A spokesperson for Asda refused to confirm whether it was planning to launch a new homeware brand and said: “We register [...]
Tesco hopes to win back sales with new items October 6, 2013 TESCO will today unveil a revamped version of its Finest range, which Britain’s biggest supermarket hopes will win over shoppers and shareholders following grim half-year results. The FTSE 100 firm, whose market share is dipping as the discount supermarkets grow, is expected to lay out 1,500 new or redesigned products ahead of the Christmas rush. [...]
Rosy results for Sainsbury’s with increased sales, stores and new mobile service October 2, 2013 Sainsbury's has reported strong sales which have delivered continued outperformance, with total sales for the second quarter up five per cent (4.6 per cent excluding fuel). (Release) Like-for-like sales for the same period were up 2.1 per cent (2.0 per cent excluding fuel), with total sales for the first half of 2013 coming in up [...]
Supermarkets in fuel pricing wars September 26, 2013 THE SUPERMARKET price war on petrol escalated yesterday, when some of Britain’s largest chains slashed costs for the second time in a matter of days and Sainsbury’s became the latest grocer to enter the fray. Asda said that it would cut unleaded petrol by 3p to 128.7p per litre and diesel by 2p to 135.7p [...]
Asda apologises for offensive mental patient Halloween costume September 26, 2013 Supermarket giant Asda has been forced to apologise after selling a "mental patient fancy dress" Halloween costume online. The costume, which included clothing, mock blood, a mask and imitation meat cleaver, has been withdrawn, following horrified reactions on Twitter. We removed the product from our website this afternoon but unfortunately the page may remain visible [...]
Fastest retail sales rise in 15 months suggests higher GDP growth in third quarter September 25, 2013 UK retail sales are now growing at their fastest pace in 15 months in the year to September, according to the CBI. That's their third consecutive months of gains. The headline CBI distributive trades survey number has risen from 27 to 34. Analysts had been expecting a fall to 24. Now retail sales are expected [...]
Kingfisher cuts back on space to save on costs September 11, 2013 B&Q OWNER Kingfisher said yesterday it is to scale back or exit 18 of its stores across the UK as the DIY retailer looks for ways to ease its lease burden and boost profitability. Several retailers, including Topshop owner Arcadia, have been shedding stores as leases come up for renewal to reflect changes in [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 09 September 2013 September 8, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Capital warning from bank reformer The chief architect of Britain’s post-crisis regulatory reforms believes banks’ capital levels should be double the level recommended two years ago by the government-appointed commission that he led. Sir John Vickers told the Financial Times that in a “blue-skies” world banks’ core tier one capital ratios would now [...]
Kennedy Wilson and Varde buy UK shopping centres for £250m September 5, 2013 US PROPERTY investment and services firm Kennedy Wilson and debt specialist Varde Partners yesterday agreed to buy a portfolio of eight UK shopping centres out of administration for $388m (£250m). Kennedy Wilson did not disclose which shopping malls they had acquired but said they were spread across England and Scotland and spanned a total of [...]
Entertainment One set to pick Allan Leighton as new chairman September 2, 2013 CITY heavyweight Allan Leighton is in line to take the top job at media group Entertainment One, it emerged last night. The ex-Royal Mail chairman and former Asda chief executive is reported to be preparing to take the job at the business which co-owns television sensation Peppa Pig, and which backed the Twilight film series. The [...]