Laura Ashley shares hit all-time low as fashion retailer sounds alarm April 25, 2019 Shares in fashion retailer Laura Ashley hit an all-time low today after it issued a warning over its full-year results amid difficult trading conditions. Read more: Laura Ashley issues profit warning as sales slide The struggling brand saw its share price fall over 20 per cent this morning to 2.21p. It has since rebounded somewhat [...]
CBI: UK retailers enjoy sales boost for the first time in five months April 25, 2019 UK retail sales grew for the first time in five months in April, according to a major business group, in the latest sign that consumer spending is holding up despite ongoing political uncertainty. Read more: Retail sales jump higher than expected in March However, Easter falling later this year probably helped the figures, said the [...]
Carpetright shares soar as restructuring plan starts to pay off April 25, 2019 Shares in Carpetright soared almost 25 per cent this morning after it reported a “significant” improvement in sales as its restructuring plan begins to pay off. The London-listed carpet specialist said like-for-like sales were up in the fourth quarter in a sign of renewed customer confidence. Read more: Carpetright sales drop but pace of decline [...]
WH Smith: High-flyer divides City April 24, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. Latest results are fuel for another assault on a record high. Here’s why Smith splits the Square Mile. With £1 billion worth of dividends or buybacks since 2007, WH Smith (LSE:SMWH) shareholders can have few complaints about the retailer’s tried and tested strategy when it comes to selling stationery, [...]
Fast fashion: Boohoo profit piles up as online retailer forges ahead of competitors April 24, 2019 Boohoo’s shares rose this morning as it announced it has bucked the trend in the struggling clothing retail sector with a 49 per cent rise in profit. Read more: Boohoo shares fall despite explosive sales growth The so-called fast fashion retailer, which targets 16-30 year olds with its Boohoo, Nasty Gal and Pretty Little Thing [...]
Primark profits soar but owner ABF blames poor sugar performance for fall in profits April 24, 2019 Primark delivered an “excellent” 25 per cent profit growth in the six months to March even as owner Associated British Foods (ABF) saw overall income shrink. Read more: A look inside the world's largest Primark The figures ABF witnessed a huge 15 per cent year-on-year drop in statutory profit before tax to £515m after paying a [...]
Majestic Wines looks to sell off UK retail business as online shift continues April 23, 2019 Majestic Wines could sell off its entire UK retail business as it pivots to focus on its online wine seller brand Naked Wines. Read more: British Land sells Sainsbury's superstores for £429m The company’s board has appointed Rothschild bankers to explore a potential sale of its retail and commercial portfolio, which include around 200 stores. City [...]
British Land offloads Sainsbury’s superstores for £429m to cut retail exposure April 23, 2019 British Land has sold a swathe of Sainsbury’s superstores for £429m as it ploughs ahead with a plan to reduce its exposure to retail property. Read more: British Land swings to £42m loss as retail market hits portfolio value The FTSE 100 landlord revealed this morning that it is selling 12 superstores from its joint [...]
Angling Direct shares rise as it reels in record sales in bid to tackle choppy retail waters April 23, 2019 The UK’s largest fishing equipment retailer has opened a new store and reported a record start to the year as it navigates the retail sector’s choppy waters. Angling Direct opened its 27th store in Nottingham over the Easter weekend, the first destination store in the city, with its trading update sending shares up by as [...]
Reiss gets royal boost as luxury retailer defies high street gloom to post sales rise April 21, 2019 Upmarket fashion retailer Reiss has bucked the downward trend on the high street, posting double-digit sales growth in its full-year results. Read more: Retail sales jump higher than expected in March The figures Like-for-like sales rose 13.2 per cent in the year to the beginning of February. Total sales were up 8.3 per cent to [...]