Guy Hands’ Terra Firma mulls sale of Wyevale Garden Centres February 14, 2016 Guy Hands’ Terra Firma is considering a sale of its garden centre business Wyevale after four years of ownership. The private equity house has already been approached by several suitors and has also held talks with advisers to work on the sale including Goldman Sachs, according to The Sunday Times, citing a price tag of [...]
Amazon shares rise in after hours trading as it unveils $5bn stock buyback February 10, 2016 Shares in US online retail giant Amazon spiked, before settling 1.4 per cent higher in after-hours trading, after it unveiled plans to buy back $5bn (£3.4bn) of shares. The company said will buy back shares "opportunistically from time to time when it believes that doing so would enhance long-term shareholder value", it said in a [...]
Dunelm’s share price jumps as homeware chain declares special dividend February 10, 2016 Shares Dunelm have surged by as much as 10 per cent after the homeware chain posted a better-than-expected jump in first half profits and declared a £63.9m special dividend. The retailer, which has 151 stores across the UK selling everything from curtains to bed and sofas, said pre-tax profits grew by 10.7 per cent to £75.5m for the six months to 2 January [...]
Toymaker Hornby’s share price goes off the rails after latest profit warning February 10, 2016 Shares in model trainmaker Hornby have crashed by more than 50 per cent after the company issued yet another profit warning this warning and said it may breach its banking covenants. The Kent-based company behind Thomas the Tank Engine and Pocher car model kits, said a "disappointing sales performance" in the New Year is expected to result in a [...]
Westminster goes to war on sugary drinks tax as Tory-linked think tanks take opposing views on new levy February 10, 2016 Policy experts with strong ties to the Conservative party are at odds over proposals for a new sugary drinks tax, with one influential think tank saying today that the new levy should be introduced as part of a series of measures to curb rising levels of obesity. In a new report out today, Policy Exchange [...]
UK quinoa imports surge in 2015 as Waitrose reports sales jump February 9, 2016 Britain’s appetite for novelty lunchtime salads knows no bounds. Imports of quinoa boomed again last year, as the Latin American grain went from a health-conscious fad to a mainstream staple. Shipments to the UK from Peru, the world’s biggest exporter, jumped 47 per cent in 2015 to just under 3,000 tonnes, according to customs data released this week. [...]
Deutsche Bank share price falls after John Cryan’s open letter to staff saying the firm is “absolutely rock-solid” February 9, 2016 Deutsche Bank's share price fell below its 2009 low today, after the German lender moved to reassure both staff and investors that it was "absolutely rock solid". Last night the bank contacted investors to say it had "sufficent" reserves to pay for its AT1 securities after shares dropped almost 10 per cent over concerns about its capital buffers, especially [...]
Ascential floats on the London market at 200p per share, giving welcome relief to Guardian Media Group February 9, 2016 Ascential, the magazine and events business that runs the Cannes Lions advertising festival and publishes Retail Week, has floated on the London market at 200p a share. The valuation gives the company, which is owned by Guardian Media Group a and private equity group Apax, a market cap of around £800m. They remain the largest [...]
New Look third quarter sales jump as menswear stores prove a hit with shoppers February 9, 2016 New Look has shrugged off a tough Christmas trading period to post a jump in sales over the quarter, boosted by its website and the expansion of its new menswear standalone stores. The fashion retailer said revenue grew by 5.6 per cent in the three months to 26 December, taking revenues to £1.18bn for the year to date. Pre-tax profits rose by 38.9 per cent to £87.9m. [...]
Local councils handed power to extend Sunday trading hours in bid to address high street decline February 9, 2016 Local councils will be given the power to extend Sunday trading hours under new rules confirmed today. The government is introducing amendments to the Enterprise Bill – which are expected to be implemented in the Autumn – to devolve powers to local authorities, aimed at helping shops compete better with online retailers. As well as [...]