Mothercare swings to loss as it prepares to refinance debt September 22, 2023 Baby products brand Mothercare has revealed it swung to a loss over the latest year as it is set to complete a refinancing of its debts after interest rates shot up. The retailer said it was taking longer to return to pre-pandemic sales levels. Mothercare, which sells its ranges through retail giant Boots in the [...]
FTSE 100 close: London climbs on softer pound after Bank of England holds rates September 22, 2023 London's blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose on Friday as it benefited from the weak pound in the wake of the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates steady.
Hargreaves Lansdown profits surge despite ‘challenging’ conditions spooking investors September 19, 2023 Hargreaves Lansdown topped the City’s profit predictions for the year today despite “challenging” market conditions triggering a sharp fall in the amount of cash flowing into its platform over the past 12 months.
Missguided sale marks a pivot in Frasers’ strategy – but a Shein deal has risks attached September 18, 2023 News that Frasers could sell Missguided to Shein potentially marks a change in strategy for the Sports Direct owner, which has been highly acquisitive in recent years.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers in talks to offload Missguided to Chinese fast fashion giant Shein September 18, 2023 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is reportedly in talks to offload its online clothing brand Missguided to Chinese fast fashion giant Shein. Frasers, which owns the high street favourites such as Sports Direct and Jack Wills, bought Missguided for £20m last year after it collapsed into administration. As part of the rescue deal, the Manchester business kept [...]
Pendragon: Car dealership to sell UK motor business to US firm Lithia for £250m September 18, 2023 Car dealership group Pendragon has agreed to a proposed sale of its UK motor business to US dealer giant Lithia Motors for £250 million. The deal, if approved by shareholders, will be valued at about 27.4p per share, against the 18.6p Pendragon shares were trading at on Friday. Investors will receive a 16.5p cash dividend [...]
Last orders? Number of pubs shutting for good jumps 50 per cent September 18, 2023 The number of pubs being demolished or converted for other uses across England and Wales surged by 50 per cent over the latest quarter, according to new figures. Official Government statistics have revealed that 230 pubs disappeared for good in the three months to June 30 as the impact of soaring costs and pressure on [...]
Plans for City’s future delayed until next year as investors warn of ‘report fatigue’ September 18, 2023 A major report looking to draw up a "new market model” for the City has been delayed until next year as fears grow of “report fatigue” setting in across London, City A.M. can reveal.
Independent bookshops are thriving – as long as they offer more than just books September 18, 2023 Morocco Bound is a lesson in adaptability. Even its owner “[doesn’t] know what to call it these days”. Music venue, community space, workshop facility hosting poetry slams, comedy nights, life drawing sessions and more, it was – originally – a book shop. “I’m an architect,” Jonathan Dransfield, the owner, tells me. An architect who wrote [...]
Ocado looks to settle City jitters over sluggish demand September 17, 2023 Retail tech group Ocado is looking to settle jitters over sluggish demand from shoppers this week as it updates the City after following a bruising nine months.