What the other papers say this morning – 15 April 2014 April 14, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Sports Direct to sell online using credit Sports Direct, the sportswear retailer controlled by Mike Ashley, is poised to begin selling on credit via its website, as it seeks to emulate the model successfully used by fashion chain Next. Dave Forsey, chief executive of Sports Direct, said the company would begin offering credit [...]
US stocks enjoy healthy boost from retail sales April 14, 2014 US STOCKS closed up last night as healthy retail sales data for March boosted confidence in the world’s largest economy. Regaining some ground lost last week when technology shares were hit particularly hard, the Nasdaq rose 0.6 per cent to close at 4,022.69. The Dow Jones was up 0.91 per cent and the S&P 500 [...]
Retailers hope for strong Easter after bad March April 14, 2014 UK RETAIL sales fell in March as cash-strapped shoppers cut back again on spending on areas including food and furniture, industry figures reveal today. Total retail sales in March were down 0.3 per cent compared with the same month of 2013, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG have calculated. And like-for-like sales – comparing shopping [...]
Shares at French Connection soar as sales pick up April 14, 2014 SHARES in French Connection leapt nearly 11 per cent yesterday, reaching their highest level in almost three years after the fashion group posted a strong start to the year. The brand, which became famous in the 1990s thanks to the success of its FCUK logo, has been trying to turn around its business after years [...]
New York Report: Citigroup and retail figures lift US stocks April 14, 2014 US STOCKS closed higher yesterday as Citigroup’s earnings and strong retail sales gave investors reasons to buy equities despite a resurgence of geopolitical uncertainties. Equities opened higher as strong results from Citigroup and bullish retail sales data lifted sentiment, though shares lost ground in the last hour of trading. Both the Nasdaq and the S&P [...]
Tesco makes US comeback with F&F stores April 14, 2014 Tesco’s having a second stab in the US, announcing this afternoon the first franchise stores of its clothing business F&F across the pond. Last year, Tesco backed out of its Fresh & Easy venture in the US. The store was meant to take on Walmart, but it didn’t work out. Offering just a self-service option [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 14, 2014 US stock futures edged higher today, following an optimistic set of results from Citigroup, which offset fears over the Ukraine situation – at least for the time being. European markets dropped to a three-week low earlier on the Ukraine worries and the continued sell-off in the US of tech shares. The Nasdaq closed below 4,000 [...]
What you need to know before the open April 14, 2014 Rising tensions in Ukraine are expected to hit European equities this morning. The Ukrainian government has begun a full-scale anti-terrorist operation, following the arrival of pro-Russian forces in several towns in eastern Ukraine. Russia has asked for a dialogue to be initiated, calling for Kiev not to use force. The rouble's currently down almost one [...]
Uniqlo owner in talks to buy out Cath Kidston April 14, 2014 THE OWNER of high street fashion chain Uniqlo is leading a pack of suitors hoping to take control of UK homeware company Cath Kidston. Japanese company Fast Retailing, which is listed in Hong Kong and Tokyo, has approached Cath Kidston’s private equity backers TA Associates about acquiring its 65 per cent controlling stake in the [...]
Poor service in shops is costing retailers £5.4bn April 14, 2014 RETAILERS are losing out on £5.4bn of sales because of bad service in shops and not catering to the needs of ever more demanding consumers, according to a new report by Australian shopping centre giant Westfield. The retailer’s 30-page analysis released today identifies eight trends dictating UK’s changing shopping habits, including how technology and the [...]