Micro Focus slashes its revenue target August 11, 2010 Micro Focus International was forced to slash its full-year revenue target after underlying growth stalled in the first quarter, with customers delaying contracts and low-value deals remaining weak. The firm’s shares fell 31 per cent to a 16-month low yesterday after the company, which upgrades legacy mainframe applications for companies like Boeing and Tesco, updated [...]
The late-night bank manager is planning a High Street revolution August 8, 2010 THE revolution in High Street banking has begun. That’s the bold claim of Craig Donaldson, chief executive of Metro Bank, the first addition to Britain’s retail banking scene in 100 years. And ground zero is the corner of High Holborn and Southampton Row, where its inaugural branch opened a couple of weeks ago. “The revolution has [...]
A new generation of banks August 5, 2010 BRITAIN saw the launch of its first new high street bank in many years recently, with the opening of Metro Bank’s first and only branch so far on High Holborn. The launch featured no end of gimmicks – including balloons, goodie bags and free dog biscuits – to persuade consumers that the bank offers something [...]
Boots buys up Turkish drug wholesaler July 25, 2010 ALLIANCE Boots will prepare for a major push into Africa and the Middle East with the purchase of one of Turkey’s biggest drug wholesalers. Alliance Boots will take full control of Hedef Alliance in a deal thought to value the Turkish company at more than £600m. Boots already owns a 50 per cent stake in [...]
Grocers see demand rise from footie July 20, 2010 SALES in the grocery sector received a boost as British shoppers stocked up for the World Cup. In the 12 weeks to 10 July sales grew 3.2 per cent compared with same period last year. Two of the weeks saw sales lifts of more than four per cent. Beers, wines and spirits saw the biggest [...]
Fast-growing SMEs are vital for UK’s future July 19, 2010 TO a fascinating lunch on Friday at Lombard Odier with Paul Marson, its chief investment officer. He believes that sovereign debt levels will force European welfare states to downsize. Is this a good thing? Martin Varsawsky, founder of FON, one of Europe’s largest Wifi communities, and a serial entrepreneur, is proud of the fact that [...]
Our nation of shoppers is not about to quit the habit yet July 14, 2010 SINCE the onset of the recession, the pressure has increased to turn the UK economy into a manufacturing centre of excellence and at the same time become a nation of savers. But has the nation really turned its back on its former favourite pastime, shopping? Well, the hard data would suggest no. According to the [...]
Ocado hits back at critics July 11, 2010 OCADO’S advisers reacted furiously last night to suggestions its £1bn flotation may be in trouble. The firm spoke out against a number of high-profile fund managers it claims are attempting to undermine the pricing of its IPO. The float, in which the grocery delivery firm hopes to raise £200m, appears to be on a knife [...]
Quest: Shares in Ocado are overvalued by 46 per cent July 8, 2010 Analysis firm Quest has delivered another slap in the face to Ocado, as the grocery delivery firm attempts to justify its £1.1bn IPO valuation to investors. The Collins Stewart subsidiary says it values shares in Ocado at just 128p – a staggering 46 per cent under the mid-point put forward in its prospectus. It says [...]
Amazon set to sell groceries July 7, 2010 Ocado’s £1.1bn float was dealt another blow yesterday when internet giant Amazon launched a competing grocery delivery business. Amazon has long toyed with the idea of branching into food delivery, and already does so in the US and Germany, but the timing of the decision heaps pressure on Ocado. Analysts have already questioned the value [...]