Poundworld founder Chris Edwards to head up rival Poundstretcher October 15, 2017 Struggling bargain retailer Poundstretcher is set to be taken over by the founder of one of its main competitors, Poundworld. Chris Edwards, who founded Poundworld in 1974, is in line to become chief executive of Poundstretcher, the Sunday Times reported yesterday. Poundworld sold a majority stake to American private equity firm TPG in 2015 for [...]
Aldi bags record UK sales growth though profit dips as it plans more UK expansion September 25, 2017 German budget grocer Aldi’s quest for UK domination continues as its sales growth picked up in the UK, though profits dipped in its full-year results due to “continued investment in prices and infrastructure”. The supermarket onslaught continues however, as the firm outlined plans for 70 new supermarkets for 2018 amid its efforts to hit 1,000 [...]
Up to 3,000 jobs at risk as Tesco cuts down opening hours at 69 stores April 5, 2017 Thousands of jobs are at risk in Tesco as the supermarket cuts down opening hours. Up to 3,000 employees in 69 stores across the UK will be affected by the changes, announced today by the FTSE-listed supermarket. Restocking hours will be moved from night to day in the stores affected, with 24-hour opening ending at [...]
Now you can use Apple Pay in Ireland – just swipe your iPhone March 7, 2017 iPhone owners in Ireland rejoice – you can now get on board with Apple Pay and just swipe your phone (or Apple Watch) to make a purchase. The tech giant has launched the payment service in its sixth market in Europe, supporting Irish banking customers with Ulster Bank and KBC as well as Boon, an app [...]
Turnaround plan looks set to pay off for Morrisons March 5, 2017 The turnaround at Morrisons supermarkets headed by CEO David Potts looks set to gather speed this week as the company reports its best annual results in six years. The chain is likely to report a 54 per cent rise in pre-tax earnings to £335m on Thursday, according to predictions by banking firm Jefferies. The firm [...]
Ultimate Products’ London IPO has been priced at £105m ahead of it joining the main market next week March 1, 2017 Ultimate Products' offer price has been set at 128p, which will equate to a market capitalisation of approximately £105.2m. The offer comprises 41,084,800 shares, representing 50 per cent of the company’s issued share capital on admission. Shore Capital is acting as sponsor, global co-ordinator and bookrunner to the Company, and Cenkos is acting as joint bookrunner. [...]
Consumer goods group Ultimate Products heads for a £100m-plus IPO in the next few days March 1, 2017 Ultimate Products, the innovative consumer goods group, is set for a £100m-plus IPO in London within days. It will list on the main market under the name of UP Global Sourcing Holdings. The IPO’s pricing could take place as early as today. The placing is understood to be substantially oversubscribed with investors taking part believed [...]
High street stalwart Debenhams shakes off payment scandal February 22, 2017 Last week, Debenhams was named by the government as one of the worst companies for underpaying staff. YouGov Brand Index data shows how the news has altered perception of the brand. Over the last year, I have discussed how adverse stories about pay have damaged companies including Sports Direct and Harrods, but also how positive [...]
Waitrose has been crowned the UK’s best supermarket February 16, 2017 Aldi and Lidl might be snatching market share from their rivals – but one middle class stalwart is still at the top of the nation's affections, according to a new survey. The report, by Which?, has crowned Waitrose the UK's best supermarket, above rivals Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl. Meanwhile, Asda came bottom of the [...]
Mark Hix on why ‘knob celery’ is the most underrated root in the supermarket February 14, 2017 When I first moved to London, certain unusual fruits and vegetables were referred to as “queer gear”. I suppose celeriac – or celery root, as it’s sometimes referred to by those who can’t pronounce it – falls into this category. (It also goes by the name “knob celery”, although this isn’t widely used for obvious [...]