Alliance Boots predicts strong Xmas as acquisitions boost half year figures November 3, 2010 ALLIANCE Boots said it was expecting a Christmas trade boost from its new ranges while acquisitions had ensured solid half-year figures. The company’s same-store revenues for its health and beauty division grew by two per cent to £3.4bn, it reported yesterday. Revenues for the whole group rose by six per cent to £8.9bn. Finance director [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS October 25, 2010 BENARES’ DIWALI FEAST Mayfair’s favourite posh Indian restaurant is going to be celebrating Hindu festival Diwali in style with a special menu. Michelin-garnering chef Atul Kochhar’s menu, on offer throughout November, will two or three courses with paired wines, of which highlights include smoked lamb kebabs with pickled red cabbage; tandoor sea trout with marinated [...]
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 [...]
John Lewis sales stalled by strike and sunshine October 15, 2010 RETAILER John Lewis said sales growth slowed last week, as a strike on London Underground and a brief Indian summer meant fewer shoppers in its stores. The employee-owned company, traditionally seen as a bellwether of the UK retail sector but which has outperformed competitors for over a year, said on Friday sales at its 28 [...]
Waitrose director:sales growth will continue for years October 12, 2010 UPMARKET grocer Waitrose expects annual sales to rise by a double-digit percentage for years to come, despite a tough economic backdrop, driven by new store openings, its managing director said yesterday. Mark Price, speaking at the annual conference of grocery industry body the Institute of Grocery Distribution, said conditions for consumers were likely to be [...]
Eat takes its third bite at the market as it is put up for sale October 10, 2010 SANDWICH shop chain Eat has been put on the market for the third time by its owners. The company, which has 100 stores and is planning to double that in the next two to four years, is expected to fetch more than £100m as interest from private equity groups mounts. The firm is being advised [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 29, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES WAITROSE EYES DUCHY ORIGINALS US PUSH Waitrose is making its first foray into the US through its Duchy Originals range, the label founded by Prince Charles. The supermarket arm of the employee-owned John Lewis Partnership is talking to North American retailers and distributors about selling Duchy Originals products in US stores. PENSIONS REGULATOR [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS September 29, 2010 Tullett Prebon The inter-dealer broker has re-hired Tory MP Michael Fallon as a non-executive director, just a few months after he resigned to pursue an unsuccessful campaign for the Treasury Select Committee chairmanship. Fallon, who lost out to Andrew Tyrie, rejoins Tullett a week after he replaced Lord Ashcroft as deputy chair of the Conservative [...]
Fast & furious September 28, 2010 IT’S ALWAYS a little strange when you get the impression you’re driving a Ferrari when you’re really hitting 40mph in a small hatchback. Powering along the north Kent coast in the Fabia vRS, towards a particularly excellent gastro pub, the car shrieked and howled so loudly you’d think there was a V12 under the bonnet. [...]
Waitrose to take Tesco head on in price contest September 26, 2010 WAITROSE is to take Tesco head on after the supermarket giant revealed that it will price match its rival on over 1,000 branded products. Starting today, Waitrose will use Tesco as a benchmark when pricing its top-selling everyday branded products, such as Persil, Ribena and Heinz Baked Beans. Managing director Mark Price said this is [...]