UK house price growth slows again: Can stamp duty save the market in 2015? December 30, 2014 We know the drill by now – slowing house price growth in many areas as demand wanes and the murmurings about a base rate rise reflect the logic that no matter what, it’s getting closer. Why exactly demand is waning remains something of a mystery (more of that later). Nationwide’s figures this month [...]
Next’s share price soars as profit guidance raised and special dividend declared December 30, 2014 Next’s share price has soared this morning on the back of a new forecast, revising its profits back up. Christmas at Next was at the better end of the retailer’s forecast, with sales for the 58 days until Christmas Eve up 2.9 per cent year on year. Much of that came from Next Directory, which [...]
UK weather bomb: Despite cold snap, 2014 could be the warmest year on record December 29, 2014 As the white shroud falls across the UK it may be difficult to believe it but, by some measures, 2014 was actually the warmest year on record in the UK. According to Met Office data, which stretches back to the 1600s, the temperature is around 1.5 degrees Celsius above the norm for this time [...]
City Link workers demand urgent talks as 1,000 more jobs could be at risk December 27, 2014 Workers at City Link, the parcel delivery company which collapsed into administration on Christmas Eve, have demanded talks with administrators, as it emerged 1,000 more jobs than originally thought may be at risk. The BBC reported that leaders at the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has written an open letter to business minister Vince [...]
Boxing day sales: Stats, facts and pictures as queues form overnight for bargain bonanza December 26, 2014 High streets in the UK have been overflowing as boxing day sales lured shoppers out of the house with some of the biggest discounts in years. Queues even formed overnight outside department stores in Oxford Street and Westfield shopping mall in Stratford with bargain-hunters looking to nab the best deals ahead of the crowds. Pictures [...]
Boxing Day sales kick off early online at Amazon, John Lewis, Currys, Harrods, Next and Debenhams December 24, 2014 Amazon is kicking off its Boxing Day sale on Christmas Day. That’s right, you can start hunting for deals if Santa didn’t bring what you wanted before you’ve even had time to digest Christmas dinner. But there are also a host of retailers waiting to open their doors to sale shoppers on Boxing Day that [...]
Christmas shopping will help high street spending hit record highs December 24, 2014 Spending on the UK's high streets is expected to smash records this year as shoppers splurged over the Christmas period setting tills ringing. Retail sales are expected to reach an all-time high of £342bn this year, a rise of £48bn compared to 2010, government figures suggest. Spending is also expected to break records tomorrow as [...]
Thorntons’ share price collapses 25 per cent following profit warning December 23, 2014 Chocolate maker Thorntons has ended the year on a disappointing note, warning falling sales will hit the company's earnings for the full year. The company's share price slumped a whopping 25 per cent when the market opened. Thorntons announced its UK Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) division had faced "challenges" that hit sales performance in [...]
Kingfisher sells off loss-making B&Q business in China for £140m December 22, 2014 DIY GROUP Kingfisher said yesterday it had agreed to sell a 70 per cent stake in its loss-making B&Q China business to Wumei Holdings for £140m. The deal came after the retailer announced in March that it was searching for a strategic partner to help grow its B&Q business in China, which is made up [...]
Retailers miss out on festive shopping boom December 22, 2014 MANY British retailers have failed to cash in on the Christmas shopping boom, according to research released today, causing the number of struggling businesses in the sector to increase considerably. According to research by specialist professional services group Begbies Traynor – covering 1 October to 17 December – UK retailers are considerably worse off this Christmas [...]