Morrisons share price edges up as it names former Tesco man David Potts as chief exec February 25, 2015 Shares in embattled supermarket Morrisons opened one per cent higher this morning, after it named its new chief executive: former Tesco Asia boss David Potts. The supermarket launched its search for new boss in January, after chief executive Dalton Philips announced his departure. The appointment is part of a fresh start for the company: chairman Andrew [...]
Leagues hit back as winter in Qatar moves closer February 24, 2015 LEADING European clubs have united in condemnation after governing body Fifa moved a step closer to moving the Qatar 2022 World Cup from its traditional summer slot to winter. A Fifa task-force set up to examine the contentious issue yesterday recommended the tournament be held from late November to late December. It could mean a [...]
World Cup at Christmas? Fifa taskforce officially recommends 2022 winter tournament February 24, 2015 Christmas in 2022 could have tinsel replaced by tiki-taka, mince pies trumped by Mourinho or a trip to the pantomime swapped for what is becoming an even more ridiculous show – the Qatar Fifa World Cup. Fifa's Task Force has officially recommended November/end-December as "the most viable period" for the tournament, following a six-month consultation [...]
Associated British Foods feasts on Primark but diets on sugar February 23, 2015 SHOPPERS snapping up more bargains at Primark over the last eight weeks helped to offset a weak performance at Associated British Foods’ (ABF) sugar business, the consumer giant said yesterday. Sales at clothing retailer Primark in the half-year to 28 February are expected to rise by 16 per cent on a constant currency basis, due [...]
Primark sales climb – but sugar division remains bitter for Associated British Foods February 23, 2015 Associated British Foods is expecting good things from Primark when it reports its full year figures in April – but its sugar division continues to dampen the group's overall performance. The fast fashion chain is ABF's jewel in the crown. Sales are expected to be up 16 per cent on last year, with “very [...]
Primark sales up but Associated British Foods warns strong pound will weigh on earnings February 23, 2015 Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of the Primark clothing chain, warned investors today that a strong pound would likely lead to a “marginal decline” in adjusted earnings per share for the full year. Sales at its Primark division are expected to grow thanks to strong Christmas sales and expansion into Europe – [...]
Morrisons’ hunt for a new chief moves closer to check-out with ex-Tesco boss David Potts in pole position February 22, 2015 Morrisons is close to announcing the appointment of a new chief executive, with former Tesco executive David Potts said to be in pole position for the job. The Bradford-based supermarket group is expected to make an announcement within weeks after last month ousting Dalton Philips, who failed to revive its fortunes. Potts was Tesco’s longest [...]
More Greek tragedies, plus another excuse to break the internet: What got us talking this week February 20, 2015 Greece was still the word The cat-and-mouse game between Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and his German counterpart, Wolfgang Schaeuble, had everyone guessing. The result? At the time of writing, the Eurogroup was still in negotiations. In the meantime, we've been trying to work out exactly what Varoufakis' leather jacket means, who Greece actually owes, [...]
High street sales drop as retailers slash prices February 20, 2015 Get ready for another round of "it wasn't us, it was the weather" from retailers. Official figures published today showed retail sales fell 0.3 per cent in January, despite feverish price-cutting by high street stores. The figure is a larger drop than anticipated – economists had expected 0.2 per cent. And ostensibly, it's also a [...]
Ballinvarrig to make George king of the BetBright Chase once again February 19, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND RACING ACTION IIT IS fair to say that tomorrow’s BetBright Chase at Kempton (3.45pm) isn’t quite the race is used to be. Desert Orchid, Docklands Express, Rough Quest and Gloria Victis are just some of the top class horses to have claimed the prize in the past, [...]