Strong B&Q earnings rebuild investors’ risk appetite to kick off week May 23, 2022 Investors picked up their risk appetite again during the opening trading day of the week as B&Q owner Kingfisher helped mend market sentiment. London’s premier FTSE 100 index jumped 1.67 per cent to 7,513.44 points, while the mid-cap domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, climbed 1.56 [...]
Travel chief warns online sales tax may hit tour operators and agencies hard May 23, 2022 The UK Government’s proposed tax on online sales could have a significant impact on travel businesses, according to accounting company RSM. The proposal, whose first consultation ended on Friday, is expected to level the playing field between physical and online retailers, as well as bringing down the cost of rentals. According to RSM UK’s head [...]
US private equity titan Sycamore abandons bid for Ted Baker May 23, 2022 Private equity giant Sycamore has pulled out of the race to snap up iconic fashion firm Ted Baker.
B&Q owner Kingfisher builds from pandemic success but struggles to keep up with 2021 boom May 23, 2022 B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher reported strong post pandemic growth in the first quarter, with three year like for like sales up 16.2 per cent.
Shops’ tax bill 755 per cent higher than online rivals amid war of words over sales tax May 23, 2022 Traditional brick and mortar retailers pay 755 per cent more – almost eight times – than their online rivals in business rates tax. The figures come after Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer execs have voiced differing opinions over the prospect of an online sales tax. Fresh analysis by real estate advisor Altus Group has found [...]
Gymshark nets £45m profit as founder Ben Francis climbs up Sunday Times Rich List May 22, 2022 Sportswear brand Gymshark has pocketed a £45.4m pre-tax profit – a further jolt of good news for its young founder, who has risen in the Sunday Times Rich List. The e-commerce fashion retailer saw profit rocket in the year to July 2021, compared to 2020’s sum of £30.4m, according to accounts filed to Companies House [...]
Fat Face eyes hunt for new buyer after recruiting bankers May 22, 2022 Clothing and accessories retailer FatFace has recruited bankers to mull a sale of the company, it has been reported. The British retailer has hired Rothschild to explore the brand’s options, The Sunday Times reported. It comes two years after its private equity owner relinquished it to lenders after suffering unbearable debts during the pandemic. After [...]
Online sales boom: Barclay family resuscitate plans for Very Group £4bn public listing May 22, 2022 The family behind the Telegraph newspapers is thought to be reviving plans for a blockbuster IPO of online retail giant Very Group. The Barclay family are keen to get sidelined plans for a £4bn float back on track, according to a report in The Times. Very Group owns e-commerce brands including fashion retailer Very and [...]
The Works brings back dividend as demand for cheap books and Peppa Pig toys boosts sales May 20, 2022 Discount retailer The Works has reinstated its dividend after telling investors its sales are now significantly higher than at pre-pandemic levels, on the back of a record Christmas and booming demand for books. The firm said it had capitalised on the “BookTok” trend on social media platform TikTok to boost sales of its discount [...]
April retail volumes continue on downward trend amid cost of living crisis May 20, 2022 Retail sales volumes continue to go downward amid the cost of living crisis. According to the Office for National Statistics, volumes rose 1.4 per cent in April following a 1.2 per fall in March, while values went up by 1.9 per cent. But looking more broadly, in the three months to April, sales volumes fell [...]