IT’S BACK: APPRENTICE RETURNS WITH FRESH BAIT FOR LORD SUGAR May 3, 2011 THE STAKES are higher than ever on series seven of The Apprentice with more pressure, more risk and even more difficult challenges for the 16 hard-nosed contestants. Gripping viewing – but no-one will be watching the opening episode of this year’s series (next Tuesday) with more interest than the employees of Scottish & Southern Energy [...]
Pimm’s and trifle give Royal Wedding boost to Waitrose May 2, 2011 THE extra Royal Wedding bank holiday pushed Waitrose sales up 23.1 per cent compared to last year’s Easter break, the supermarket said yesterday. Total branch sales for the week to Saturday 30 April jumped as revellers stocked up for barbecues and street parties. Popular items included trifle, with sponge sales rising 370 per cent on [...]
AB Foods hit as costs take toll on profit April 27, 2011 PRIMARK owner AB Foods yesterday saw its shares tumble as it warned that its full-year profit would be dented by soaring costs. The company said it expected full-year profits to be similar to those last year, as it announced its half-year results. It had previously expected annual earnings to rise. Profit for the six months [...]
When times are hard it’s easy to impress April 20, 2011 SHAREHOLDERS may have been handed a carrot today in the form of a reinstated dividend, but long-term a return to the stick is looking more and more likely. Argos has been underperforming for Home Retail Group since Christmas 2008, and unless Terry Duddy really throws his weight behind it that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. [...]
DON’T BANK ON HOLIDAY GROWTH April 17, 2011 ENTREPRENEUR AND INVESTOR AT THE end of April, as you are more than likely aware by now, there will be just three working days out of a run of 11. Employees may be rejoicing at the thought of this break from the office, but I have mixed feelings about this enforced holiday period. The challenge [...]
Werewolf tale lacks bite April 14, 2011 Film RED RIDING HOOD Cert: 12A TEENAGERS, werewolves and a classic love triangle. Sound familiar? Well, this is the latest offering from director Catherine Hardwicke who brought the first Twilight film to our screens – and Red Riding Hood has Twilight written all over it, with panning overhead forest shots, speeded-up chases and a ravenous [...]
A marathon endeavour for Emma Crosby April 14, 2011 The Channel Five news presenter is running the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, raising money for the charity Wellbeing of Women (www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk). She told Zoe Strimpel how she feels to be taking part in one of the world’s biggest sporting events. City A.M.: Why did you decide to run the marathon? Emma Crosby: I decided [...]
EU launches air passenger law overhaul April 11, 2011 THE EUROPEAN Union yesterday laid out plans to shake up airline passenger compensation laws, after carriers faced massive bills from the Icelandic ash cloud and snow storms. The EU will discuss wide-reaching changes with aviation stakeholders and present a new law in 2012, European Commission vice-president Siim Kallas said yesterday. The review of Regulation 261 [...]
Weld’s Concorde looks Majestic National bet each-way at 33/1 April 7, 2011 The John Smith’s Grand National really is the race of dreams; the stuff of legend. Anyone who witnessed Tony McCoy’s post-race reaction to finally landing the world’s most famous race at the 15th attempt last year, will know how much it means to a jockey to have this race on his CV. However, trying to [...]
Halfords cuts profit guidance April 7, 2011 Halfords reduced its profit guidance for the second time in three months as underlying sales continued to fall in tough markets. The bicycles and car parts firm also announced a share buyback programme of up to £75m. Halfords forecast a year to April 1 pretax profit of between £124m and £127m, with group sales of [...]