Asda sales fall for first time since 2010 but market share grows as boss Andy Clarke heralds strong performance in “distressed market” November 13, 2014 Having largely kept its head above water as sales and market share sinked at fellow supermarkets, Asda is finally feeling the pinch. The supermarket published figures today showing sales slipped for the first time since 2010 during its third quarter. The UK’s second largest supermarket said like-for-like sales fell 1.6 per cent in the three [...]
Sainsbury’s to slash prices as profits plunge November 12, 2014 SAINSBURY’S boss Mike Coupe said yesterday that the retailer was “taking the fight to the enemy” as he unveiled plans to cut costs and its dividend to fund a £150m price offensive against its discount supermarket rivals. The grocer’s nine-year run of uninterrupted sales growth came to a grinding halt this year as changing shopping [...]
Our awards are here – dig out those gladrags November 12, 2014 FROM top hats to Louboutins, the City is dusting off its finest this morning for tonight’s hugely anticipated City A.M. awards at Grange St Paul’s Hotel. With 14 awards to hand over, we’re looking forward to loading up the mantelpieces of the City’s most hard-working and successful names. In the running we’ve got well-known City [...]
March of the discounters: Sainsbury’s share price rises as it promises £150m price cuts November 12, 2014 Newly-installed Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe has taken the bull by the horns, promising a £150m "investment" in price cuts in order to compete with increasingly powerful discounters such as Aldi and Lidl. Investors were clearly impressed: shares rose four per cent as the market opened. The supermarket posted results showing its worst first-half performance [...]
Aldi to hire 35,000 new staff for expanding discount drive November 10, 2014 GERMAN discounter Aldi is to create 35,000 new jobs and employ up to 1,000 apprentices as it continues to expand its presence in the UK, the company announced yesterday. During a visit from the Prime Minister David Cameron to the chain’s headquarters in Atherstone, Warwickshire, Aldi reiterated its commitment to increasing the number of stores [...]
David Cameron and George Osborne give Aldi thumbs up after 35,000 jobs pledge November 10, 2014 It's not just bargain hunting shoppers and those looking for the best tipple who love Aldi – now the Prime Minister and chancellor have told the world of their love for the German grocer. David Cameron and George Osborne today welcomed the news that Aldi has pledged to create 35,000 new jobs in the [...]
Sainsbury’s eyes dividend cuts as profits set to fall November 10, 2014 Spending cuts, including a reduction in its dividend, are tipped to be on the agenda for Sainsbury’s on Wednesday as the supermarket prepares to rein in costs along with its first-half results. Analysts expect chief executive Mike Coupe will reveal a disappointing 12.5 per cent fall in profits to £350m for the period, as the [...]
John Lewis, M&S, Debenhams – the best Christmas TV adverts of 2014 November 7, 2014 Alright, so there's still a month and a half until the big day – but settle in, because Christmas ads have begun to grace our screens, and they're going to be around for the next 47 evenings in. You might as well become acquainted. First up, we had the big one: John Lewis' much-awaited Christmas [...]
Exclusive: CMC Markets plans more growth before IPO November 6, 2014 Online trading firm CMC Markets could float this time next year if the group grows as planned, chief executive Peter Cruddas told City A.M. yesterday. “I expect we can triple in size in the next five to seven years. I would be disappointed if we didn’t,” he said. “We are looking at a flotation, but there [...]
Morrisons’ sales slump begins to slow down November 6, 2014 SALES at WM Morrison fell again in the third quarter, but yesterday investors were pleased at promising individual sales figures. The supermarket’s sales fell 6.3 per cent on the year, on a like-for-like basis – an improvement on the 7.6 per cent fall in the previous quarter. Its shares jumped by 6.22 per cent on figures [...]