Food suppliers squeezed as supermarkets play hardball in Brexit price talks January 10, 2017 Food suppliers are being squeezed as supermarkets play hardball in talks over which side should shoulder the burden for the devaluation of the pound, new figures suggest. Research from insolvency firm Begbies Traynor shows 6,000 food suppliers were showing signs of financial distress in the final quarter of 2016, an increase of 13 per cent [...]
Five ways your drinking habits will change in 2017: Majestic Wine sets its predictions for the year ahead January 10, 2017 Announcing a Christmas season that pushed sales up 15.3 per cent, booze retailer Majestic Wine took the opportunity to polish up its crystal ball and make industry predictions for the year ahead…. 1. We'll start choosing English sparkling wine over champagne In 2016 UK winemakers experienced an exceptional harvest thanks to perfectly timed weather patterns, leading the industry to believe this year's [...]
Supermarkets are leading the FTSE 100 after Morrisons’ stellar results January 10, 2017 Supermarkets are leading the FTSE 100 risers today after positive data on the sector's sales over Christmas – and a strong update from Morrisons. Morrisons' share price was up 3.64 per cent at time of writing after the Bradford-based grocer reported a 2.9 per cent jump in like-for-like sales for the nine weeks to 1 [...]
Bunzl snaps up UK packaging firm and US barrier film specialist January 10, 2017 Support services giant Bunzl has started 2017 where it left off in the previous year by revealing a brace of new acquisitions. The purchase of packaging firm Woodway was agreed at the end of December. The Northampton-based firm provides products and solutions to across a variety of business sectors. Read more: Bunzl can't wait until [...]
Playtech gambles on strong results as it hires a new finance boss January 10, 2017 Gambling software provider Playtech today announced full-year results for 2016 are likely to be in line with expectations, as it named Ron Hoffman the new chief executive of its financials division. Hoffman, formerly the company's chief financial officer, had played a role in the company's management and acquisition transactions and its listing on Aim in 2006. Read more: Playtech [...]
Morrisons reported strong Christmas trading numbers this morning – here are the best reactions January 10, 2017 Morrisons is having a lovely morning, with shares up four per cent on news that the supermarket's sales growth over the Christmas period was at its strongest for seven years. The group reported a 2.9 per cent jump in like-for-like sales excluding fuel, and said Morrisons.com had achieved its biggest ever week for sales in [...]
Majestic Wine feels the festive cheer as Christmas trading grows to record high January 10, 2017 A small downward revision in profit expectations was not enough to dampen the festive cheer for Majestic Wine, as the alcohol retailer announced sales during the vital Christmas period up year on year. Shares jumped by more than five per cent on Tuesday morning before paring to just below a three per cent gain at [...]
Supermarkets had a record Christmas – but prices are rising January 10, 2017 Supermarkets had a record Christmas period in 2016, with sales growing at their fastest rate since June 2014, but prices are finally starting to rise following the Brexit vote. The latest figures from Kantar Woldpanel show that sales were up 1.8 per cent for the 12 weeks ending 1 January. Consumers spent nearly half a billion pounds [...]
Boohoo sets the online shopping trend to start the New Year January 10, 2017 Boohoo.com has ended 2016 on a high and looks set to continue the form into the New Year, with the online clothing retailer reporting strong increases in revenues and raising its revenue guidance for the start of this year. The figures Revenues grew 55 per cent, with growth in America particularly impressive: US revenues increased by [...]
Consumer spending cooled in December after post-Brexit spending spree January 10, 2017 Consumer spending cooled towards the end of 2016, pointing to a slowdown in Britain's spending spree following the Brexit vote. In October and November, consumer spending growth hit 5.5 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively, according to Barclaycard. But this figure fell to four per cent growth year-on-year in December. Read more: Aldi bags [...]