Supermarkets reap over £1bn of property investment in 2015 as new buyers pile in March 22, 2016 Britain's supermarket sector attracted over £1bn of property investment last year as investors shrugged off the price wars and and went in search of stable returns. Research released today by Colliers International and data analytics provider MSCI revealed that deal volumes reached £1.4bn in 2015, up slightly on the previous year but down on the record [...]
The Waitrose effect: Living near to the supermarket can double your house price March 21, 2016 We all know that properties near good schools can command higher than average prices – but what about your local supermarket? If you're lucky enough to live within walking distance of a Waitrose, your home is likely to benefit from an uplift to your house price, new research from Emoov claims. It's not clear what [...]
Property of the Fortnight: Rare Tower Walk townhouse on sale in the middle of St Katharine Docks March 17, 2016 House-hunting usually requires some compromise: a downgrade in location, a flat rather than a house, the sacrificial shedding of car parking space. At first glance, Johan Denekamp a former advertising CEO, seems to have it all – the townhouse, the location, the views – but take hope, because it took him and his wife a [...]
Waitrose is “well set up” to face arrival of Amazon, says outgoing boss Mark Price March 10, 2016 Waitrose's outgoing boss Lord Price played down the threat of Amazon's entry in the UK, insisting it was strong enough to fend off competition and would continue to be “one of the few” retailers to increase profitability this year. Price, who was made a peer last week ahead of his new role as trade minister [...]
John Lewis Partnership bonus 2016: Four charts showing just how generous it is and why staff are still celebrating despite it being cut to its lowest in years March 10, 2016 The bonus of staff working at high street favourite John Lewis and Waitrose is less than last year, but you'll still find them cheering that cut. They'll be taking home 10 per cent of their annual salary, amounting to a bonus pot totaling £145m, but that's less than last year and the third consecutive year it's been cut – so why the happy faces? [...]
John Lewis grows market share in challenging conditions, but PBT falls as pension charges and property declines take hit March 10, 2016 John Lewis Partnership has heralded its market share growth despite "challenging markets". The figures Profit before tax was down 10.9 per cent to £305.5m, in line with expectations, "entirely due" to pension charges and lower property profits, the partnership said. Operating profits before property rose 3.9 per cent to £8.87m at Waitrose and £1.8m at [...]
John Lewis bonus falls to 10 per cent – but still gets a big cheer March 10, 2016 John Lewis Partnership staff gave a huge cheer this morning as the retailer revealed this year's bonus stood at 10 per cent – down on last year's 11 per cent boost. More than 91,000 JLP partners – who work for both the eponymous department store and Waitrose – applauded as the figure was revealed from a giant [...]
Tesco’s share price climbs as it stems declines but Asda and Morrisons crowned worst performing supermarkets in the UK March 8, 2016 Tesco has continued to stem its declines, but Asda and Morrisons have tumbled further, according to Kantar Worldpanel's latest figures for the supermarket sector. Sales at Tesco fell 0.8 per cent – meaning its performance is still well below the sector average of 0.5 per cent growth – but a relative improvement on last month's decline of [...]
How Japanese whisky became the world’s hottest tipple (and which ones you should buy) March 2, 2016 When a Japanese brand was named the world’s best whisky in 2014 – knocking Scottish distillers off the top spot for the first time – the news travelled across the globe. But to those in the know, it had been a long time coming. Japanese whiskies have been hotting up for a decade or more [...]
Morrisons’ share price climbs as supermarket and Amazon reveal Pantry and Prime Now tie up – but Ocado’s share price is plummeting February 29, 2016 Morrisons' share price soared 5.4 per cent this morning, after revealing it had secured a major new agreement with Amazon, to sell "hundreds of products" via Prime Now and Pantry. The new tie-up, which will go live "in the coming months", will see Morrisons provide a wholesale supply service to Amazon, offering delivery of its ambient, fresh and frozen products. [...]