BT pension deficit could reduce by £4.4bn as expectations of an interest rate hike mount October 23, 2017 BT’s troublesome pension black hole is set to reduce by billions of pounds as expectations of an interest rate rise mount, analysts said today. Previously, consensus opinion has been that BT’s retirement deficit would swell from £8.7bn to around £11bn. But in a report by RBC Capital Markets, analysts said BT’s shortfall could halve to [...]
Sales rise but market share falls for Big Four grocers as Aldi and Lidl continue to grow October 17, 2017 Each of the big four grocers has grown sales but seen a decrease in market share as Aldi and Lidl can now boast half the total market’s growth, new figures show. Morrisons was the fastest growing of the large retailers, with sales up 2.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to 8 October, followed by [...]
Co-op has made a formal offer to buy convenience chain Nisa for £137.5m October 10, 2017 The Co-operative has offered to buy convenience chain Nisa for £137.5m. Nisa released a statement this morning saying that its board had unanimously recommended the offer to its members. The offer includes £137.5m for the full shareholding of the company plus associated deal costs of £5.5m, totting up to a total cost to Co-op of [...]
Tesco share price rises as it resumes dividend as profits rise to £562m in first half October 4, 2017 Tesco has resumed its dividend for the first time in three years today, after reporting a 667 per cent increase in pre-tax profit in the first six months of the year. Read more: This is how City analysts are reacting to Tesco’s did announcement The figures Profit before tax rose to £562m from £71m this [...]
Tesco directors were responsible for ‘bullying’ employees into false accounting collusion September 29, 2017 Three former Tesco directors have been called "bullies" in court as their trial for fraud and false accounting draws to a close. Former Tesco UK managing director Christopher Bush, former commercial director for food John Scouler, and former finance director Carl Rogberg were today described as the "generals" who gave orders to the "footsoldiers" by [...]
Former Tesco executives “misled” the stock market, court told in fraud trial September 29, 2017 The stock market was “misled” by the actions of three former Tesco executives on trial for fraud, prosecutors told a court earlier today. Christopher Bush, Carl Rogberg, and John Scouler, who all held senior positions at the retailer, are on trial for charges of fraud and false accounting. In opening arguments today, lead prosecutor Sasha [...]
Imperial Brands in talks to save wholesaler Palmer & Harvey alongside Carlyle and McColl’s founder September 28, 2017 Tobacco giant Imperial Brands confirmed this morning that it is in talks to help save Palmer & Harvey, the UK’s biggest cigarette supplier. In a trading update, Imperial said it was seeking to create a “sustainable future” for P&H, which supplies Tesco and other major retailers. Shares in Imperial dropped 2.3 per cent this morning [...]
McColl’s founder approached by buyout house Carlyle to lead Palmer & Harvey rescue September 26, 2017 Private equity firm The Carlyle Group has invited a co-founder of convenience store McColl’s to take a key role in its rumoured buyout of Palmer & Harvey (P&H), according to Sky News. James Lancaster is reportedly being drafted in to join the grocery wholesaler as its non-executive chairman, in a deal aimed to salvage the [...]
Aldi bags record UK sales growth though profit dips as it plans more UK expansion September 25, 2017 German budget grocer Aldi’s quest for UK domination continues as its sales growth picked up in the UK, though profits dipped in its full-year results due to “continued investment in prices and infrastructure”. The supermarket onslaught continues however, as the firm outlined plans for 70 new supermarkets for 2018 amid its efforts to hit 1,000 [...]
Compass boss Richard Cousins quits after 11 years at the top September 21, 2017 The world’s biggest catering group, Compass, announced this morning that its chief executive Richard Cousins will retire next year. Cousins will step down from his current role in March 2018, and leave the group in September. Chairman Paul Walsh said: “In the past 11 years Richard has transformed Compass into an industry leading organisation that [...]