ECB Headwinds, IMF downgrade for Europe – What Can We Expect from 2019? January 25, 2019 This week bankers and leaders around the globe have come together for the World Economic Forum in Davos. A key topic has been what we can expect from 2019 and beyond, in the face of a global slowdown, climate change, the US shutdown, trade wars and Brexit. On top of that, the ECB revealed that [...]
JD Sports eyes strong profits thanks to international expansion January 14, 2019 JD Sports today said it expects full-year profits to hit the higher end of its targets as international growth helped defy tough retail conditions. The sports retailer reported total sales growth of 15 per cent in the 48 weeks to 5 January, with like-for-like sales up five per cent in the same period. Read more: Retail [...]
Debenhams share price plunges as investors fear disappointing Christmas trading January 2, 2019 Shares in Debenhams plunged almost nine per cent this morning amid fears of poor trading over the festive period. The department store chain saw its share price tumble to 4.68p on the first day of trading in 2019, ahead of an update due on 10 January. The sliding shares suggest investors have low expectations for [...]
Homebase named the UK’s worst retail website in rescue deal aftermath November 13, 2018 DIY retailer Homebase has been named the UK's worst online shopping website, alongside a plethora of other familiar names in a survey conducted by independent consumer body Which?. Homebase received a rating of 55 per cent as part of a survey with over 10,000 consumers evaluating their experiences online. Customers said they found the site [...]
Fishing Republic on the hook as it tries to land extra finance November 12, 2018 Angling retailer Fishing Republic warned today its future is uncertain as it works to raise extra finance. The Aim-listed business said there was “material uncertainty regarding the group’s financial position” and said “the group continues to trade only with the short-term support of key creditors”. Shares in the group were suspended on 16 October after [...]
H&M takes a $20m stake in fintech startup Klarna October 8, 2018 Swedish fintech startup Klarna has today announced a global partnership with fashion powerhouse H&M, which included a $20m (£15.3m) investment in the business. The deal will see Klarna integrate its digital payments technology into H&M's physical and online stores via its payment programme H&M Club1. Klarna allows shoppers to pay securely for products online with flexible payment options [...]
Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley tees off in bidding war for American Golf October 5, 2018 Sports Direct owner and retail tycoon Mike Ashley is set to expand his business empire further, as it suggested he has tabled a bid for Britain's largest golf retailer American Golf. Ashley is among a number of interested parties in the American Golf takeover, including JD Sports Fashion, sources told Sky News. Deloitte, who is advising [...]
Sports Direct and JD Sports join the race for Evans Cycles October 3, 2018 JD Sports Fashion and Sports Direct have taken up seats at the bidding table alongside Halfords for beleaguered firm Evans Cycles. Both sporting retail powerhouses have tabled indicative offers for Evans in the last week, Sky News first reported late last night. The bids come in addition to an offer from Britain's biggest bike firm [...]
Out with the old, in with the new UK high street September 26, 2018 A tale of two retailers dominated the high street yesterday – Next’s shares jumped nearly eight per cent after the fashion giant lifted its full-year profit guidance while Card Factory’s shares lost a tenth of their value after profits were off-message. Read more: Next nudges up profit guidance after blistering summer The diverging fortunes [...]
Cath Kidston to review UK store locations in bid for higher footfall September 19, 2018 Fashion retailer Cath Kidston is reviewing the locations of its UK stores as it looks to move to destinations that attract higher footfall. The brand, which has 65 stores across the UK including pop-ups and concessions, is reviewing individual branches as leases come up for renewal at which point it will consider whether to relocate the store to a [...]