Aston Martin swings to £13.5m loss as it blames ‘soft’ UK demand November 7, 2019 Aston Martin sank to a loss in its third quarter as demand for its luxury cars dried up, it revealed today, but shares still rose 10 per cent as it looked ahead to sales-boosting new models. The figures James Bond’s favourite car maker found little love from other buyers as it swung to a loss [...]
Halfords’ revenue and profit dip as it snaps up garage chain November 7, 2019 Revenue and profit at Halfords fell in the first half of the year, the bicycle and car maintenance retailer said today. Halfords also announced today it had acquired independent garage chain McConechy’s Tyre Service in a £9.3m deal. Profit before tax slipped 2.5 per cent to £27.5m in the six months to 27 September from [...]
Sainsbury’s half-year profit plunges 92 per cent November 7, 2019 Sainsbury’s has suffered a 92 per cent drop in half-year profit, as costs from store closures took a toll on the grocer’s balance sheet. Read more: Sainsbury’s former boss wants government to halve business rates and raise VAT The figures Statutory pre-tax profit fell from £107m last year to just £9m in the three months [...]
TheWorks share price crashes after issuing profit warning amid caution over crucial Christmas trading period November 7, 2019 Discount arts-and-craft retailer TheWorks.co.uk has warned that profit will miss expectations this year, sending shares plummeting roughly 40 per cent this morning. The value business has reported a 1.9 per cent drop in like-for-like sales, which it said reflected a “difficult consumer backdrop” over the 26 weeks to the end of October. Read more: Sainsbury’s [...]
Peer-to-peer lender Zopa makes banking debut as pressure mounts November 7, 2019 Zopa, one of the UK’s three largest names in peer-to-peer lending, is to launch its first foray into banking after receiving partial authorisation last year. The debut comes as the peer-to-peer sector is facing scrutiny from regulators and falling demand from investors, placing pressure on the likes of Zopa and its rivals. The firm said [...]
Arcadia bolsters senior digital team in online sales push November 6, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia has bolstered its digital team with three new senior hires, as the embattled retail group seeks to improve online sales as its physical stores continue to struggle. Arcadia, which owns high street brands such as Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, has created a new role – group chief digital officer – as [...]
Business groups warn South Western Railway strikes will hurt Christmas trade November 6, 2019 Business groups have slammed the rail union’s planned December South Western Railway strikes, predicting they will cause major disruption to Christmas trade. Drivers and train guards from South Western Railway (SWR) are planning on walking off the job for 27 days in December. Read more: RMT union announces 27 days of South Western Railway strikes [...]
Marks & Spencer profit knocked lower by poor clothing sales November 6, 2019 Weak clothing and home sales knocked profit 17 per cent lower at Marks & Spencer in its latest half-year, it revealed today. But the high street chain’s share price led the FTSE risers, climbing up 5.3 per cent to 192.05p, as investors felt it could have been a lot worse as boss Steve Rowe said [...]
BHS buyer Dominic Chappell banned from directorships for 10 years November 5, 2019 Dominic Chappell, the businessman who bought BHS from Sir Philip Green for £1 a year before the company collapsed with 11,000 jobs lost, has been barred from serving as a company director for ten years. Sky News first reported today that the Insolvency Service had handed the the three-time bankrupt the decade-long ban. Read more: [...]
23 Capital: Meet the London-based finance company behind Barcelona’s signing of Antoine Griezmann and Atletico Madrid’s deal for Joao Felix November 5, 2019 Football’s two biggest deals of the summer transfer window had something in common, and not just that Atletico Madrid was either the buying or selling club. The other unifying factor in the signings of £113m Portuguese sensation Joao Felix and £108m France forward Antoine Griezmann was the involvement of financing from London-based 23 Capital on [...]