Sainsbury’s sales beat Christmas forecasts January 12, 2011 Strong sales of premium groceries and non-food ranges like clothing helped J Sainsbury to report a rise in Christmas sales which analysts expect will be the best among the top four grocers. Britain’s third-biggest supermarket group, which trails market leader Tesco and Wal-Mart’s Asda in terms of annual sales, said on Wednesday sales at stores [...]
M&S sales rise but year ahead set to be harsh January 11, 2011 MARKS & SPENCER saw sales rise in the key Christmas period but the retailer warned that 2011 would be tough, with austerity measures and the spectre of inflation rises to take their toll. Same-store sales rose 2.8 per cent in the UK in the 13 weeks to 1 January despite the impact of the snow. [...]
Dunelm hit by tough Xmas January 11, 2011 HOMEWARE retailer Dunelm said it was cautious about the second half of the year due to the impact of tax rises and higher cotton prices, following a tough Christmas. Dunelm, which sells products like curtains, bedding, blinds, rugs and lighting, announced yesterday that like-for-like sales fell 1.2 per cent in the 26 weeks to 1 [...]
Banks support FTSE amid broad-based gains January 11, 2011 LONDON’S FTSE made strong gains today as bank shares surged and sovereign debt fears receded. Athough stocks gave back some of the day’s earlier gains by the market close, the leading index closed closed up 57.73 points or one per cent at 6,014.03. It ended a three-day losing streak and stayed ahead of the 6,000 [...]
M&S sales up 4pc but warns of tough 2011 January 11, 2011 Marks & Spencer saw a four per cent rise in total UK sales in the 13 weeks to 1 January. Clothing was the best performer with a 4.7 per cent jump over the period. On a like-for-like basis UK sales were up 2.8 per cent. Chief Executive Marc Bolland said: “Marks & Spencer traded well [...]
Portugal on the brink as fear returns January 10, 2011 PORTUGAL is scrambling to avoid being hit by the Eurozone debt crisis, amid mounting expectations of a third bailout for the currency region. Analysts yesterday said that only the European Central Bank’s special bond purchasing programme is standing between the country and a rescue. With Portugal facing its first sale of long-term debt tomorrow, figures show [...]
Ocado sales increase but jury still out January 10, 2011 ONLINE grocer Ocado yesterday reported a 27 per cent sales rise in the four weeks to Christmas – but some analysts still questioned the company’s progress following a troubled float. The firm posted gross sales of £50.9m for the period, helped by more customers shopping online instead of going to supermarkets in freezing weather conditions. [...]
Debenhams: our market share is up January 10, 2011 DEBENHAMS claimed it was winning market share from rivals as it posted a small rise in sales over the key Christmas trading period that was affected by December’s snow. Sales at stores open more than a year increased 0.3 per cent including VAT sales tax in the 19 weeks to 8 January. Chief executive Rob [...]
Morrisons sees slim Xmas lift January 10, 2011 WM MORRISON Supermarkets posted a modest rise in Christmas sales yesterday, held back by disruption from severe weather and a tough consumer backdrop. Britain’s fourth-biggest grocer behind market leaders Tesco, Asda and J Sainsbury said sales at stores open at least a year rose one per cent, excluding fuel and VAT, in the six weeks [...]
Virgin witholds BAA charges in snow row January 10, 2011 SIR RICHARD Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic has refused to pay fees owed to airport operator BAA following the chaos at Heathrow during the icy weather, and said it might take legal action. Virgin plans to withhold bills for landing and parking planes until it sees the results of an internal BAA inquiry into the disruption, [...]