IPOs – no sure thing? November 26, 2019 IPOs always attract plenty of attention, particularly when they are of highly-recognised companies. But are they a wise destination for investor cash? IPOs offer plenty of glamour, a change from the usual stocks in an index, and there have been plenty of new entrants to the UK stock market over the past ten years. Some [...]
Pet Sematary trailer ‘inappropriately targeted’ at children, watchdog rules October 30, 2019 The advertising watchdog has censured film studio Paramount Pictures after a “frightening” trailer for the horror film Pet Sematary was shown before Youtube videos likely to appeal to children. The trailer – which opened with a girl walking through some woods with a voiceover stating: “Something up in those woods, it brings things back; sometimes [...]
Watchdog censures Boohoo and Missguided over ‘sexual’ adverts October 16, 2019 The advertising watchdog has censured retailers Boohoo and Missguided over adverts that contained “offensive” and “socially irresponsible” sexual references. In an online video ad for women’s fashion brand Missguided, young women in swimwear were depicted in “seductive poses”, including one shown with a strawberry between her lips. Read more: Deliveroo astronaut ad banned over misleading [...]
International growth boosts Boohoo profit September 25, 2019 Boohoo revenue and profit soared in the first half of the year driven by strong international growth at the fast fashion brand. The figures Revenue soared 43 per cent from £395.3m in the first half of 2018 to £564.9m in the first six months of this year. The company’s revenue was more than £1bn over [...]
Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley makes move for Links of London September 9, 2019 Retail magnate Mike Ashley is hoping to ramp up his high street spending spree after putting in an offer for troubled jewellery group Links of London. The Sports Direct owner is tabling a bid to snap up the retail outlet, according to Sky News, which has reported that Ashley is one of two final bidders [...]
Boohoo shares soar as online retailer boosts full-year guidance September 5, 2019 Shares in online retailer Boohoo soared to an all-time high this morning after the fast fashion firm increased sales growth guidance for the year. Boohoo’s share price was up 15.37 per cent to 280.7p after the company announced sales growth would be between 33 per cent and 38 per cent, against previous guidance of 25 [...]
Soaring temperatures fail to heat up July high street sales August 9, 2019 Soaring temperatures failed to lift high street sales last month but benefited online stores as consumers turned to fast fashion for their heat wave wardrobes. In-store like-for-like sales only increased 0.1 per cent in July as shoppers sheltered from the heat, upping the pressure on retailers as the third quarter continues. Read more: Restaurants eat [...]
Klarna becomes Europe’s most valuable fintech in $460m raise August 6, 2019 Online payments giant Klarna has scooped up another $460m in an equity funding round led by Dragoneer, which values the fintech firm at $5.5bn. Other investors included Commonwealth Bank of Australia, HMI Capital, Starling Bank investor Merian Chrysalis, Forsta AP-Fonden, IPGL, Institutional Venture Partners and several funds managed by Blackrock. Swedish-born Klarna said it will [...]
Boohoo snaps up Karen Millen and Coast brands for £18m August 6, 2019 Fast fashion company Boohoo has bought the Karen Millen and Coast brands out of administration for £18.2m, putting more than 1000 jobs at risk as store closures loom. The online retailer said it made the acquisitions after Karen Millen entered administration this afternoon. Boohoo shares were up 6.65 per cent following the announcement. Read more: [...]
No need for tears: Boohoo confirms offer for Karen Millen and Coast online brands August 6, 2019 Boohoo today confirmed it has made an offer for the online arms of Karen Millen and Coast fashion retailers. The digital fashion giant did not say whether the potential acquisition includes any plans for the firms’ bricks-and-mortar stores. Read more: 1,000 jobs at risk as Boohoo set to acquire struggling Karen Millen Up to 1,000 [...]