Godiva is galloping into growth markets: Chief executive Mohamed Elsarky talks managing growth and high quality March 7, 2016 As Godiva celebrates its 90th anniversary, few would contest the heritage of the Belgian chocolatier. But since Turkish food manufacturer Yildiz Holding acquired the firm from Campbell Soup in 2007, it has been given a new lease of life. Now, chief executive Mohamed Elsarky has his sights on Asia. Since entering the Chinese market in late 2009, nearly 70 stores [...]
Korn Ferry: Retail sector shake-up drives 40 per cent rise in new chief executive appointments in 2015 March 7, 2016 Retailers made a wave of chief executive officer (CEO) appointments last year as businesses came under pressure to improve their performance and battle declining footfall. Executive search firm Korn Ferry’s latest retail CEO tracker released today shows that there were 45 hires across the sector last year, an increase of 41 per cent on the [...]
South African retailer Foschini eyes fashion chain Whistles March 6, 2016 Another South African company could soon step up its presence in the UK retail industry, this time with upmarket high street brand Whistles as the target. Foschini, a Cape Town-based retail conglomerate which bought Phase Eight last year, is said to be eyeing a bid for Whistles after its owners hired advisers at KPMG to sound out [...]
Metro Bank achieves £400m equity capital target, ahead of float on London Stock Exchange under MTRO ticker with £20 per share offer price March 4, 2016 Challenger bank Metro Bank has today announced that it has reached its target of raising £400m equity capital. The bank, which was founded in 2010 and opened its first store in Holborn, intends to have a so-called introduction to the London Stock Exchange on Monday, meaning it will float without a public sale under the ticker MTRO. "From a [...]
High Street sales slip back into the red in February as shoppers hold out for bargains March 4, 2016 A resurgence in shoppers flocking to the high street at the start of the year came abruptly to a halt in February after sales slumped back into the red. Accountancy firm BDO's monthly high street track released today shows a 1.7 per cent fall in sales for February – the first negative growth for the month of February since 2012 [...]
Barnes & Noble sales drop in third quarter ended January 2016 as consumers flock away from the Nook March 3, 2016 Barnes & Noble today revealed that its sales have dipped over for the last three months, as the brand's ereader fails to find favour with consumers. Sales for the bookseller's third quarter ending January 2016 were $1.4bn (£1bn), down 1.8 per cent compared with $1.5bn the year before. Sales of the company's ereader, the Nook, performed particularly poorly, [...]
Whitbread shares plunge after “unusually warm winter” slows Costa sales March 3, 2016 Whitbread shares plunged by more than 4 per cent this morning after an “unusually warm winter” meant Costa’s sales slowed. The figures In the 11 weeks to 11 February, Whitbread revealed like-for-like sales at the coffee chain were up 0.5 per cent. Total sales were up 10.5 per cent. Like-for-like sales across Whitbread’s hotels and restaurants, [...]
Donald Trump is right: The Federal Reserve has created the conditions for another financial crisis March 3, 2016 Following Super Tuesday, it’s time to start taking “the Donald” seriously, as the improbably-coiffed, globally-lampooned businessman now seems nearly certain to win the Republican nomination. Trump’s frequently bizarre outbursts, together with his left-field initiatives in foreign and domestic matters, have led many to disregard any remark he makes. However, and at the risk of losing [...]
American Eagle Outfitters share price up in after-hours trading as fashion retailer sees sales and profits soar in its year ended January 2016 March 2, 2016 Share price in American Eagle Outfitters rose in after-hours trading today, as the company revealed that profits almost trebled in its most recent set of results. The fashion retailer announced revenue of $3.5bn (£2.5bn) for its year ended January 2016, up seven per cent from $3.3bn the year before, and net income of $218.1m, up 172 [...]
Fiat Chrysler recalls 2,500 jeeps in Russia due to safety concerns March 2, 2016 Fiat Chrysler has voluntarily recalled 2,496 cars in Russia, the Russian technical safety watchdog Rosstandart has confirmed. Those affected are the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Commander vehicles made between 11 March 2005 and August 2007. The cars were sold up until 2008. In December last year Fiat was forced to issue a recall for 570,000 SUVs globally and in [...]