Why we need to focus on fund research to fix capitalism’s ills October 24, 2017 “We have met the enemy and he is us.” — Walt Kelly We blame capitalism for most of our modern ills, from climate change to phones that die every two years. Yet we rarely bother to read the sales pitch our accountant, banker, or adviser gives us for the funds to invest our hard-earned money [...]
Suits you: Supermarket fashion is turning heads in the UK October 24, 2017 Cheap? Check. Convenience? Check. Choice? Check. Sainsbury’s launched a rival to Savile Row in outlets this week, giving shoppers a chance to buy suits with their weekly shop. The move is a classic example of how wafer-thin margins and the dog fight for market share is forcing supermarkets to turn towards different revenue streams – [...]
Growth returns to the UK fashion industry after 14 months of decline October 20, 2017 The British fashion market has returned to growth after 14 months of decline and heavy discounting by retailers. In the year to 24 September, the fashion market grew by 0.2 per cent, according to figures released today by Kantar Worldpanel. Figures from the Office for National Statistics, published yesterday, showed clothing and footwear sales jumped [...]
Sales rise but market share falls for Big Four grocers as Aldi and Lidl continue to grow October 17, 2017 Each of the big four grocers has grown sales but seen a decrease in market share as Aldi and Lidl can now boast half the total market’s growth, new figures show. Morrisons was the fastest growing of the large retailers, with sales up 2.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to 8 October, followed by [...]
UK house prices: This has been the best October for property price growth since 2014, says Rightmove October 16, 2017 The UK’s house prices have risen by 1.1 per cent in October, the highest month-on-month rise rise for any October since 2014. But that isn’t translating into sales, according to a closely-watched index. The Rightmove house price index, which measures the prices of homes put on the market, said the average property price has risen [...]
Graze’s private equity owners ready to chomp down on £300m sale October 15, 2017 The owners of healthy snack box delivery company Graze are preparing to get their teeth into a £300m sale, according to reports. Private equity firm Carlyle, which bought a majority stake in the business for a rumoured £50m in 2013, has appointed boutique investment bank Harris Williams to run the sale according to the Sunday [...]
Graze’s private equity owners ready to chomp down on £300m sale October 15, 2017 The owners of healthy snack box delivery company Graze are preparing to get their teeth into a £300m sale, according to reports. Private equity firm Carlyle, which bought a majority stake in the business for a rumoured £50m in 2013, has appointed boutique investment bank Harris Williams to run the sale according to the Sunday [...]
Poundworld founder Chris Edwards to head up rival Poundstretcher October 15, 2017 Struggling bargain retailer Poundstretcher is set to be taken over by the founder of one of its main competitors, Poundworld. Chris Edwards, who founded Poundworld in 1974, is in line to become chief executive of Poundstretcher, the Sunday Times reported yesterday. Poundworld sold a majority stake to American private equity firm TPG in 2015 for [...]
McColl’s co-founder James Lancaster steps down amid rumours of involvement with Palmer & Harvey rescue October 4, 2017 The co-founder of convenience chain McColl’s has stepped down from the board with immediate effect, amid rumours that he is involved in a rescue deal for a major wholesaler. James Lancaster has resigned as non-executive director at McColl’s, the convenience chain which recently signed a supply deal with Morrisons. Lancaster’s name has been floated as [...]
Consumer confidence jumps to six-month high as retail sales give businesses some cause for optimism September 28, 2017 Consumer confidence jumped to its strongest level in six months in September, according to a long-running survey published today, as separate data reveals growth in retail sales and business optimism. The index of confidence collated by Yougov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) rose to a reading of 108.6 points for September, [...]