These are the key trends in retail in 2017 – and who will benefit from them January 16, 2017 The Christmas reporting season isn't over yet – the market is awaiting updates from Dixons Carphone and WH Smith – but the figures that have been reported so far have indicated some of the key retail trends investors should watch out for this year. Read more: Brexit vote boosts Hugo Boss The outlook for the UK consumer [...]
Winners and losers from retail’s “Super Thursday” January 12, 2017 So many retailers decided to update the market on trading today that Shore Capital analysts published a note to complain about it. But as the morning has progressed, clear winners and losers have emerged from the data deluge. Here are our picks: Winners JD Sports put its gymwear rival Sports Direct to shame today as it scored [...]
JD Sports smashes expectations January 12, 2017 JD Sports shares jumped over seven per cent after the sportswear retailer smashing market expectations on full year numbers. The self-proclaimed "King of Trainers" said profit before tax and exceptional items will be be up to 15 per cent more than the £200m anticipated by analysts. After revealing 10 per cent sales growth at the half [...]
Sports Direct may sell famous brands in bid to become more upmarket January 8, 2017 Sports Direct is looking into selling several of its brands as part of its bid to become the “Selfridges of Sports”. Founder Mike Ashley’s mission to turn the company’s standing around and to make Sports Direct more upmarket has reportedly progressed to ditching brands no longer deemed relevant to the UK market. According to sources, [...]
Zero-hour workers hit by £1,000 “precarious pay penalty” December 30, 2016 Workers on zero-hours contracts battle an average £1,000 "precarious pay penalty", compared to those with traditional employment terms. According to the Resolution Foundation think tank, there is a notable pay penalty associated with such contracts. It said while zero-hours workers earn less than permanent employees; 38 per cent less on average, many people put this down [...]
JD Sports working conditions: King of Trainers says alleged working practices aren’t in its training manual December 15, 2016 JD Sports has hit back at television reports of draconian working conditions at one of its distribution centres, denying the allegations and saying they are not an "accurate reflection" of working practices. An undercover report by Channel 4 news into the sports retailers Kingsway warehouse in Rochdale revealed staff saying working conditions were "worse than prison". Staff [...]
JD Sports share price rises as it announces Go Outdoors Topco acquisition November 28, 2016 Shares in JD Sports were up three per cent mid-morning after the retailer announced it had bought outdoor pursuits chain Go Outdoors. JD Sports paid £112.3m cash consideration, and has assumed net debt of around £16m as part of the transaction, which it had been pursuing for months. The retailer said the deal will complement [...]
Black Friday 2016: Five fitness and activewear-tastic bargains to snap-up, stay fit and stay warm November 24, 2016 Usually the time to think about getting fit is after you have plumped yourself up full of turkey and Christmas pud… not before. But there are a bundle of Black Friday activewear deals out there so you can get a headstart on a healthy 2017. Or at least, grab a bargain that will stay in its box until your return to [...]
JD Sports is opening another megastore on Oxford Street November 21, 2016 JD Sports is opening another megastore on Oxford Street just in time for the busy Christmas period. The 16,000 sq ft store will open at the West One shopping centre on 10 December and is the brand's second shop on Oxford Street. JD Sports said the new store will create 125 jobs. The sports retailer is [...]
JD Sports warns Brexit may cause “headwinds on margin” next year September 13, 2016 JD Sports' share price has hit a record high after the company reported a jump in profits today — but the retailer has warned that the fall in sterling could cause some headwinds next year. The figures Pre-tax profits for the sports fashion retailer grew by 66 per cent for the 26 weeks to 20 July, reaching £77.4m as [...]