Matalan chief Jason Hargreaves makes retailer a family affair May 14, 2015 Jason Hargreaves made a trip to Oxford Street earlier this year with his four-year-old daughter in tow. The managing director of Matalan, the out-of-town value fashion and homeware chain founded by his father, John Hargreaves, 30 years ago, came to view its first ever central London store at the east end of on Oxford [...]
Early bloom for Chelsea Flower Show as dress of delphiniums, hyacinths and roses hits London May 11, 2015 The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always a big event for the City, with ex-Marks and Spencer boss Stuart Rose, new Credit Suisse chief exec Tidjane Thiam and Lord Browne just a few of the business heavyweights who have attended in the past. The 1930s-inspired dress features over 1,200 delphiniums, hyacinths and spray roses [...]
Tory MPs demand end to banker bashing: Bank levy debate hots up after historic Conservative election victory May 11, 2015 Conservative MPs and senior City figures want the new government to rein back punitive taxes aimed at banks and avoid weakening one of the UK’s most competitive industries. Shares in banks jumped on last week’s unexpected election result. Defeated Labour leader Ed Miliband had threatened major hikes to the bank levy, more bonus taxes and [...]
Cannock Chase can see off Huxley rivals May 6, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS DAY TWO OF CHESTER’S MAY MEETING SIR MICHAEL Stoute hasn’t quite scaled the heights that we have come to expect over the past few seasons, but four winners at Royal Ascot last June secured him the top trainer award at the meeting and he has a powerful squad for this campaign. He [...]
Next share price edges higher following sales jump April 29, 2015 The figures Next's share price edged slightly higher by more than three per cent this morning, after the company reported batter-than-expected sales in the past three months thanks to temperate winter and spring weather. Full price sales rose 3.2 per cent in the period, beating the zero to three per cent rise the company itself forecast [...]
Andy Harrison’s Whitbread exit dents shares April 28, 2015 SHARES in Whitbread slipped 2.5 per cent last night after Andy Harrison announced plans to step down following five years as chief executive in which pre-tax profits have surged by more than 220 per cent. The Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner has seen its market value grow fourfold to almost £10bn since Harrison joined [...]
Pork Farms and Kerry Foods’ merger cleared April 21, 2015 THE COMPETITION watchdog said yesterday it has provisionally cleared Pork Farms’ acquisition of rival Kerry Foods’ chilled savoury pastry business after threatening to carry out an in-depth probe over competition fears. Pork Farms, maker of scotch eggs and sausage rolls for supermarkets like Marks & Spencer, bought Kerry Foods’ chilled savoury pastry business last summer, [...]
Halfords chief finance officer to join easyJet April 13, 2015 THE FINANCE chief of Halfords is getting off his bike at the retailer and hopping on a plane instead, after agreeing to take up the same role at easyJet, the companies said yesterday. Andrew Findlay will join the budget airline at the end of October, replacing Chris Kennedy who announced that he was leaving for [...]
Best of the Brokers for 10 April 2015 April 9, 2015 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com CRANSWICK Numis reiterated its “hold” rating on the food producer. The broker described it as a “strongly managed concern with a good track record and decent prospects”, and highlighted a major investment programme due to be commissioned in autumn. Target price was trimmed [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price jumps as retailer finally breaks 14-quarter decline in general merchandise April 2, 2015 The numbers Marks and Spencer has recorded its first growth in general merchandise – the division heavily focused on clothing – in 14 quarters. The like for like growth of 0.7 per cent for the three months to March 28 brings to a close a two-and-a-half-year downwards spiral that has plagued chief executive Marc Bolland's tenure. [...]