Asda sales fall again after Walmart-owned supermarket suffers one of its toughest years yet February 18, 2016 Asda has reported its sixth consecutive quarter of decline, after what the supermarket chain described as one its the toughest years yet. Like-for-like sales slumped by 5.8 per cent in the 13 weeks to 1 January, its fourth financial quarter, taking full-year sales down by 4.7 per cent. This was an acceleration on the third [...]
European grocery prices rise at slowest pace in five years February 18, 2016 The price of everyday products sold across Europe is rising at its slowest pace in well over five years as fierce competition among the grocers rages on, according to the latest data by research giant Nielsen. The data firm said that sales volumes of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), such as soft drinks, toiletries and food, rose by 0.8 per [...]
Turning FA Cup into a midweek competition is an experiment worth trying for sake of the England team – and it might help out clubs in Europe too February 16, 2016 There is no doubt in my mind that the FA Cup would suffer if mooted plans to move all ties to midweek and scrap replays in order to make room for a winter break do come to be implemented. Saturday afternoon FA Cup matches are still something special and doing away with them would risk [...]
Retail footfall bounces back in January to reach two-year high February 15, 2016 Retailers enjoyed their biggest jump in footfall last month in almost two years after disappointing Christmas when shoppers shunned the high street in favour of buying online. Traffic to stores on the high street, shopping centres and retail parks rose by 1.2 per cent in January compared with a year ago, figures from retail analysts Springboard [...]
Financiers love people watching in Piccadilly as Emma Thompson is spotted at the Wolseley February 14, 2016 Panmure Gordon’s David Buik is known for many things: his market commentary, his eccentric language and, most of all, his love of films. So you can already imagine the sheer joy Mr Buik felt when he spotted Emma Thompson during a visit to The Wolseley in Piccadilly last weekend. “I have rarely been to The Wolseley without seeing [...]
Why Manchester United’s 20th Century Fox partnership could benefit from more subtle social media promotion February 12, 2016 If you’re a Manchester United fan on Twitter, you may have noticed a number of players – both past and present – getting excited about seeing Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s film, The Revenant. Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, David De Gea and even club legends Andy Cole and Bryan Robson have all tweeted about the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring [...]
Win a unique trip to the magical Fonterutoli Estate in Tuscany February 12, 2016 Chianti produces wines of global acclaim and has firmly earned its place amongst the greatest wine regions of the world. Alongside the new release of Siepi 2013, in association with wine travel company Winerist, the City A.M. Wine Club is excited to announce a new competition. One lucky winner will win a unique trip to [...]
Racing betting: Label Des Obeaux might just be a class above at Kempton February 11, 2016 Trainer Alan King’s fine season can continue at Kempton on Friday when he saddles LABEL DES OBEAUX in the novices’ hurdle (1.35pm). The five-year-old found Grade One company a little too hot when finishing a well-beaten third to Barters Hill in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury over Christmas. He should prove very hard to beat now [...]
Greene King’s share prices bubbles up on sales rise after it shots a Spirit February 10, 2016 Greene King, the FTSE 250 listed pub operator and brewer, has served up a rise in sales for the nine months to 7 February as pub goers continue to dine out while having a pint. The brewer, having gobbled up rival operator Spirit last year for £774m, said that Christmas sales had been particularly strong, [...]
Toymaker Hornby’s share price goes off the rails after latest profit warning February 10, 2016 Shares in model trainmaker Hornby have crashed by more than 50 per cent after the company issued yet another profit warning this warning and said it may breach its banking covenants. The Kent-based company behind Thomas the Tank Engine and Pocher car model kits, said a "disappointing sales performance" in the New Year is expected to result in a [...]