ANALYST VIEWS: HOW HAS SPORTS DIRECT PERFORMED October 20, 2010 DAVID BUIK | BGC PARTNERS Mike Ashley is incredibly market aware when it comes to capitalising on opportunities like the World Cup or other big sporting events, and when it comes to knowing what will fly off the shelves he has no peer in the realm. These solid results are just an endorsement of that [...]
Blacks fields potential buyers October 19, 2010 CAMPING and hiking retailer Blacks Leisure yesterday confirmed it has received several approaches to take over all or parts of its business. Shares in the company rose 25 per cent to 42.50p following the news that Blacks has taken on financial advisers McQueen to help field potential offers. The share price gives the company a [...]
Sport retailers cleared by fraud probe but individuals are still under scrutiny October 19, 2010 SPORTS Direct and JJB Sports have been cleared by a fraud probe, although investigations into unidentified individuals continue, the two companies announced yesterday. Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) had been investigating both sporting goods retailers over possible price fixing and fraud. “No charges are to be brought against the companies or any companies within their [...]
Sports Direct fraud probe dropped October 19, 2010 Sports Direct International has been told that no charges will be brought against it by the Serious Fraud Office. The SFO had launched an investigation into Sports Direct International and JJB Sports over alleged anti-competitive practices. Office of Fair Trading and the SFO officials visited Sports Direct’s head office in September 2009 as part of [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING October 17, 2010 THE SUNDAYS The Sunday Telegraph LORD LAWSON URGES OSBORNE CUTS Lord Lawson of Blaby, the former Chancellor and a man used as a sounding board by George Osborne, has urged his successor to “be bold” when making cuts to expenditure in this week’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Lord Lawson said that in spite of fears of [...]
Eco-dazzle at Paris Motor Show October 12, 2010 Two key trends revealed themselves at this year’s Paris Motor Show. First, while the carmakers have showed eco concepts for years, this year was the first Paris Show where so many production versions of hybrid and electric cars were launched. Second, the sports and supercar brands proved that they too have a place in this [...]
Owners may yet halt deal October 6, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S sale to American group New England Sports Ventures could be delayed or even derailed by a legal challenge from current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, sports business experts warned last night. Reds chairman Martin Broughton is adamant the board has the right to sell the club to John Henry’s NESV for £300m, even [...]
FANS VIEW October 6, 2010 LIVERPOOL fans’ group, Spirit of Shankly (SoS) say they have greeted the news of John W Henry’s imminent takeover with “cautious optimism”. The group have organised a number of protests against the current ownership, but spokesman Jay McKenna insists their anger is directed solely at Hicks and Gillett and that they are not anti-American. “It [...]
School of speed October 5, 2010 WE’VE done rather well in this column, test driving Aston Martin sports cars for CityA.M. The City of course is a key market for these cars, which is why I’ve been fortunate enough to get them. But the thing is, the more familiar I became with them the more I realised that UK speed restrictions [...]
Chelsea can get back on track at the Bridge September 30, 2010 CHELSEA vs ARSENAL SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS IT isn’t often that Chelsea and Arsenal meet each other having both lost their previous league game but that’s exactly what will happen on Sunday. Chelsea were a little lacklustre at Eastlands against Manchester City last Saturday but, in fairness, Roberto Mancini’s side put in a very [...]