City watchdog to crack down on ‘buy now pay later’ firms February 1, 2021 The City watchdog is preparing to move in on so-called buy now pay later firms such as Klarna following a review of the unsecured credit market. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will this morning publish a report by interim chief executive Chris Woolard recommending that the sector be brought under the regulator’s remit, Sky News [...]
Irn Bru owner AG Barr to beat revenue expectations despite Covid restrictions January 26, 2021 Irn Bru owner AG Barr said full-year revenue is expected to be ahead of guidance, which was revised down in June due to the coronavirus pandemic. AG Barr announced this morning that revenue for the financial year ended 24 January will come in at around £227m, down from £255.7m the previous year but slightly higher [...]
Apollo boss Leon Black steps down after review into Epstein ties January 26, 2021 Leon Black will step down as chief executive of Apollo Global Management following an independent review into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. “Given the extraordinary strength and depth of Apollo’s management team and consistent with best-in-class governance practices, I have advised the Apollo Board that I will retire as CEO on or before my 70th [...]
JD Sports mulls equity raise to fund acquisition spree January 26, 2021 JD Sports has confirmed it is considering tapping shareholders for extra cash to fund acquisitions, following reports that it is mulling a £400m equity raise. The retailer announced this morning that it is “exploring additional funding options” which could involve an equity placing. It said it is seeking to increase its “flexibility to invest in [...]
Asos emerges as frontrunner to buy Topshop January 24, 2021 Online retail giant Asos is now the frontrunner to buy Topshop, the flagship brand of Sir Philip Green’s collapsed high street empire Arcadia. Asos has reportedly put in an offer of more than £250m to buy Topshop, according to Sky News, days after Next withdrew from the race. If Asos’ bid is successful, the future [...]
Topshop set for discount sale price after Next pulls out of race, analysts say January 22, 2021 The bidders circling Sir Philip Green’s collapsed retail empire Arcadia could bag a good deal to buy Topshop, after Next – a frontrunner to rescue the firm’s “crown jewel” – pulled out of the race. Restructuring experts said Next’s exit from the sales process will put the other bidders in a stronger position, making it [...]
Next pulls out of plans to buy Topshop-owner Arcadia January 21, 2021 Next has backed out of plans to buy Sir Philip Green’s collapsed retail empire Arcadia Group, potentially putting up to 13,000 jobs at risk. In a statement, the high street chain said it had withdrawn from plans to buy the Topshop owner because it was “unable to meet the price expectations of the vendor”. “Next [...]
Shakespeare: JD Sports’ athleisure focus leaves them sitting pretty January 20, 2021 JD Sports and Sports Direct are known rivals and their parent companies own most of Britain’s high streets. While both sell many of the same brands, there are marked differences in the companies’ focuses, with JD Sports selling sports-fashion and Sports Direct selling sports equipment and clothing. Earlier in January, JD Sports predicted its annual [...]
JD Sports in talks with Authentic Brands over potential Topshop bid January 13, 2021 JD Sports is reportedly in talks with Authentic Brands, the US owner of Barneys department store, about a potential bid for Topshop following the collapse of Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia. The firms are in early-stage discussions about a partnership, which would see JD Sports running the operations of an Authentic Brands-owned Topshop, Sky [...]
FTSE 100 falls back as extra restrictions mulled January 11, 2021 The FTSE 100 fell back slightly this morning as reports that the government is mulling further restrictions pressed on the markets. London’s premier index fell 0.5 per cent by mid morning to stand at 6,838 points after a rapid start to the year last week. In the first week of trading, the bourse picked up [...]