Black Friday promotions drive unexpected retail boost in November December 20, 2018 Retail sales enjoyed stronger-than-expected growth in November as shoppers cashed in on Black Friday promotions. Sales over the month increased by 1.4 per cent compared to the same period last year, far higher than the 0.3 per cent forecast in a Reuters poll of economists. But over the three months to November sales rose by [...]
Trevor Steven: Gareth Southgate tops my football roll of honour for 2018 December 18, 2018 It has been a year when quality coaching came to the fore in football. The World Cup and the Premier League is full of top bosses who are getting the best out of their players. Here are my highlights. Southgate shines in Russia Where else to start but with England’s efforts at the World Cup? [...]
Federal Reserve expected to raise US interest rates this week as all eyes on predictions for 2019 December 16, 2018 The US Federal Reserve is this week widely expected to raise interest rates for the fourth time this year, with an anticipated range of between 2.25 and 2.50 per cent. But doubts have begun to emerge about Wednesday’s announcement among analysts, after comments from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell that the level of interest rates [...]
Debenhams chairman tells Mike Ashley to make a bid for the chain amid loan row December 16, 2018 The chairman of Debenhams has told Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley to make a bid for the entire department store chain if he is serious about taking control of the company. Sir Ian Cheshire today issued an ultimatum to the tycoon, who holds a 30 per cent stake in the struggling department store, amid a [...]
Billionaire Mike Ashley and The Entertainer may bid for iconic toy store Hamleys December 14, 2018 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley and British toy retailer The Entertainer are among the bidders interested in a takeover of Hamleys, according to a report. The world's biggest toy shop has been owned by Chinese fashion conglomerate C.banner since 2015, but Sky News reported this morning that bids are now being considered for an acquisition [...]
Sports Direct takes profit hit from ‘challenging’ House of Fraser acquisition December 13, 2018 Sports Direct has posted a 27 per cent drop in half-year profits today, as costs from the acquisition of beleaguered department store chain House of Fraser weighed on the group’s balance books. Shares in Sports Direct slumped 12.7 per cent this afternoon, with the retailer rushing out an urgent clarification this afternoon after Mike Ashley said [...]
Mike Ashley’s high street gamble raises more questions than it answers December 13, 2018 Ten years ago in a Mayfair casino Mike Ashley made £1.3m on a single spin of the roulette wheel. His betting exploits, like those of fellow retail mogul Sir Philip Green, have highlighted the brash billionaire’s propensity to take risks. But over the course of 2018 Ashley has been making another type of gamble, not [...]
Mike Ashley slams Debenhams for rejecting his £40m loan December 13, 2018 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley has launched a scathing attack on Debenhams today, claiming that the beleaguered department store giant has rejected a £40m interest-free emergency loan. In a letter addressed to Debenhams boss Sergio Bucher, the billionaire Sports Direct owner suggests that without the money the company "has zero chance of survival". Ashley, who controls [...]
Is snooker set for a big break? Why Ronnie O’Sullivan’s quit threats can help the sport future-proof itself December 11, 2018 Ronnie O’Sullivan’s victory at the UK Championship could hardly have reflected his talent, personality and the state of snooker any better. The 43-year-old eased past Mark Allen 10-6 in the final at York Barbican on Sunday evening, before pouring a bottle of water over his head in celebration and giving some lively quotes about entertaining [...]
The seven trends in the digital sport world to look out for in 2019 December 11, 2018 This has been a transformative year for the digital sport landscape, from tech giants Amazon and Facebook making major rights acquisitions to a rise in behind-the-scenes and self-authored content. Here, Charlie Beall of consultancy Seven League assesses the trends that dominated 2018 and look set to shape the next 12 months. 1. Athletes becoming media As [...]