Success for the lucky few that don’t rely on the high street March 22, 2012 IT’S bleak out there on the high street, about that there is no doubt. Non-food sales volumes fell by 1.5 per cent in February compared to a month earlier (see facing page). With Christmas long gone and the heavily-discounted January sales a distant memory, consumers have little to look forward to. Inflation might be less [...]
Sainsbury’s sees boost in market share March 21, 2012 J SAINSBURY boss Justin King said the retailer’s success “was not dependent on others failing” as the group continued to win market share from rivals like Tesco and posted a surge in fourth-quarter sales. Justin King described himself as a “competitive guy” as the UK’s third largest supermarket reported a 2.6 rise in like-for-like sales [...]
Ted Baker sales soar March 21, 2012 British designer clothing brand Ted Baker reported a surge in retail sales and said it planned more international store openings in North America and Asia in 2012 to tap into growing consumer demand. Ted Baker, which started as a menswear brand in Glasgow in 1987, reported a 14 per cent rise in retail sales, with [...]
Eurostar’s woes nothing compared to past March 20, 2012 A power fault in France led to delays and cancellations on the Eurostar service earlier this month. Its timing, during the Paris Fashion Week, meant that a number of fashionistas were stuck on trains, which no doubt increased the publicity that the delays received. But how much of an impact did it have on Eurostar’s [...]
THE TIPSTER March 19, 2012 THE management statement from Punch Taverns later today should allow investors to decide whether the glass is really half full or half empty for the pub chain. Last year saw a de-merger and a run of poor results, and the share price in the first quarter of 2012 hasn’t seen much movement at all – [...]
Clarke takes charge as UK chief departs March 15, 2012 TESCO chief executive Philip Clarke is expected to take the reins at the retailer’s UK business for at least a year until sales show signs of improving, after former head Richard Brasher abruptly stepped down. Tesco announced yesterday that Brasher was stepping down from the board of Britain’s biggest retailer with immediate effect, and would [...]
The appeal of a mature market March 15, 2012 THERE’S nothing emerging about Barbados. Barbados has arrived. It arrived a long time ago. But in a property environment where the hot new thing has lost some of its appeal over the past five years, tried and true is sometimes best. Like a Starbucks when you want to be sure of what you’re getting. But [...]
Marston’s up despite fears over Budget March 14, 2012 PUB operator Marston’s reported solid trading yesterday despite a tough period for the leisure sector and said it was looking ahead to a strong 2012. Like for like sales over the last 23 weeks were up 3.5 per cent on last year at the British brewer – which has 2,150 outlets across the country – [...]
Peddlers to silence doubters in Jewson March 14, 2012 SOMETIMES the market can overreact to negative vibes about a particular horse and I’m hoping that will be the case with in-form Donald McCain’s PEDDLERS CROSS in this afternoon’s Jewson Novices’ Chase. Last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up had been seen as the only realistic threat to Sprinter Sacre in Tuesday’s Arkle, before connections opted last [...]
Spurs to come unstuck against in-form Toffees March 8, 2012 EVERTON vs TOTTENHAM TOMORROW – 5.30PM ESPN THE past few weeks were always going to be a severe test of Tottenham’s title credentials and, unfortunately for their fans, they have failed. The demoralising 5-2 defeat at Emirates Stadium was followed by last weekend’s 3-1 reverse against Manchester United. Harry Redknapp described that loss as “soul [...]