Marks & Spencers has released another set of disappointing numbers – is the new boss the same as the old boss? April 8, 2016 So here we are again. Marks & Spencer has put out another set of dismal results, marking the 17th quarter of clothing sales declines out of 18 at what is the nation’s defining retailer. The story was similar to so many that we’ve heard before: general merchandise was a disappointment (although admittedly, the 2.7 per cent [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price soars as it reveals better-than-expected fourth quarter figures in Steve Rowe’s first results (but clothing is still down) April 7, 2016 Marks & Spencer's share price soared more than three per cent this morning after posting a better-than-expected set of fourth quarter results – albeit yet another set of declines in general merchandise. The figures Group sales at the high street giant were up 1.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 March, but as with [...]
Will Marks & Spencer’s new boss Steve Rowe “kitchen sink” the retailer? April 4, 2016 Marks & Spencer's new boss Steve Rowe picked up the reins from Marc Bolland on Friday – just days before the troubled retailer is due to reveal its fourth quarter figures. If M&S' most recent set of results is anything to go by, investors can probably expect another set of declines – particularly within general [...]
Next warns year ahead will be worst since 2008 despite posting rise in full-year revenues and profits March 24, 2016 Next has warned the year ahead could be the most challenging since the recession, as it reported rises in both full-year revenues and profits today. The figures Next reported a five per cent increase in underlying profit before tax, totalling £821.3m from £782.2m last year. Operating profit rose by almost the same level, 4.9 per cent, to £851.8m [...]
Budget 2016: The ‘Graph of Doom’ and the UK’s £100bn secret weapon March 16, 2016 Another budget, another round of public funding cuts. Whatever the efficacy of George Osborne’s latest round of cuts to public services, one thing is increasingly clear: while government backs British business to flourish and focuses on ensuring the UK is ‘living within its means’, someone must fill the growing public services gap. When projecting their future spending power [...]
Silvertown Partnership prepares shortlist for funding of Royal Docks £3.5bn scheme March 15, 2016 The developers behind the £3.5bn regeneration of Silvertown Quays in London’s Royal Docks are in talks with several investors about the next stage of funding as work on the first phase of the 62-acre scheme gets underway. The Silvertown Partnership, a consortium of developers made up of Chelsfield Properties, First Base and Macquarie Capital, are currently [...]
Fever-Tree’s share price sparkles as it toasts strong sales for its first full year as a listed company March 14, 2016 Premium mixers brand Fever-Tree, has reported revenue up 71 per cent to £59.3m for the year to 31 December, while pre-tax profits soared to a whopping £16.7m, from just £2.5m the year before. After listing in October 2014, shares have climbed by around 250 per cent, giving Fever-Tree a market capitalisation of around £680m. The company is also offering a substantial hike [...]
National Apprenticeship Week starts today, but City big-guns have been investing in young talent for years March 14, 2016 Today marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week, when London’s businesses raise awareness of the opportunities open to aspiring financiers and school-leavers. Apprentice programmes may be making headlines this week but the founder of one City-based charity says that the Square Mile’s top dogs have been investing in youngsters for years. David Pinchin, who founded [...]
Retailers John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Home Retail Group, Kingfisher and John Lewis top list of offenders in late supplier payments February 29, 2016 Britain's five largest high street retailers were late in paying a shocking 80 per cent of their invoices to suppliers last year, a report today has revealed. MarketInvoice, a peer-to-peer platform for selling invoices online, has found that late payments to suppliers rocketed last year, with high street retailers John Lewis, Boots, Home Retail Group, Marks & [...]
EU referendum: Asda, HSBC, Vodafone and nearly 200 sign letter saying Brexit would threaten jobs – but Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s are not on the list February 23, 2016 The bosses of HSBC, BT, Vodafone and Asda are among those to have put their name to an open letter backing the remain camp and Prime Minister David Cameron's reforms in Europe. More than a third of the UK's biggest companies were represented in the letter, which was published in The Times this morning, saying they represented [...]