TSB reports losses as pandemic prompts lending surge February 1, 2021 TSB’s full-year financial performance was dented by the coronavirus pandemic as lending rose sharply, the bank announced today. Statutory loss before tax was £204.6m in 2020, compared to a £46m profit in 2019. The losses largely reflects the adoption of government measures in response to Covid-19, as well as unemployment rates and reduced customer spending. [...]
Asos buys Arcadia’s Topshop and Miss Selfridge in £330m deal, leaving thousands jobless February 1, 2021 Arcadia’s Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands have been sold to online retailer Asos in a £330m deal. Arcadia’s administrator Deloitte this morning confirmed Asos would buy the brands for £295m, and would also take on certain liabilities for forward committed stock orders. Asos paid around £265m for the brands, some £30m for the [...]
City watchdog to crack down on ‘buy now pay later’ firms February 1, 2021 The City watchdog is preparing to move in on so-called buy now pay later firms such as Klarna following a review of the unsecured credit market. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will this morning publish a report by interim chief executive Chris Woolard recommending that the sector be brought under the regulator’s remit, Sky News [...]
Sir Philip Green’s family set to make £50m from Topshop sale January 30, 2021 Sir Philip Green’s family is reportedly set to receive £50m from the sale of Topshop. The troubled retail group collapsed at the end of last year and its flagship brands Topshop and Topman reportedly failed with gross liabilities of more than £550m. The groups’ demise launched 13,000 jobs into uncertainty and became the biggest casualty [...]
Under the influence: How reality stars’ Dubai trips could sink social media marketing January 27, 2021 While online fitness guru Sheridan Mordew has undoubtedly succeeded at influencing people, she may be struggling to make friends. When the social media influencer, who posts workout videos for her thousands of online followers, insisted that her much-documented trip to Dubai was essential business travel, she was met with little sympathy. In fact, Mordew is [...]
Debate: Will digital retailers continue to hoover up high street chains? January 27, 2021 Boohoo’s purchase of the Debenhams brand, and Asos’ pursuit of Topshop, suggests that the online revolution has very much succeeded. But is it that simple? Vicky Bullen, CEO, Coley Porter Bell says YES You don’t have to be Mike Ashley to spot the enormous opportunity in online retail since the coronavirus pandemic hit. Never before [...]
Shakespeare: Boohoo buys Debenhams brand to broaden its customer base January 27, 2021 Online fashion giant Boohoo has bought the Debenhams brand and website for £55 million, meaning its remaining stores will be forced to close. Boohoo already purchased the Karen Millen and Coast brands in 2019, however this is the first time the e-tailer has stepped out of the fashion category, with Debenhams enabling entry to the [...]
Topshop owner Arcadia collapsed with debts of hundreds of millions of pounds January 26, 2021 Troubled retailer Arcadia collapsed with gross liabilities of more than £550m, according to documents prepared by Deloitte, Arcadia’s administrator. Reports prepared at the end of November 2020 revealed Topshop – Arcadia’s flagship brand – and Topman failed with gross liabilities of more than £550m, the Telegraph revealed. Discount brand Outfit owed £80m. The Telegraph [...]
JD Sports mulls equity raise to fund acquisition spree January 26, 2021 JD Sports has confirmed it is considering tapping shareholders for extra cash to fund acquisitions, following reports that it is mulling a £400m equity raise. The retailer announced this morning that it is “exploring additional funding options” which could involve an equity placing. It said it is seeking to increase its “flexibility to invest in [...]
FTSE 100 closes at three-week low as ministers mull hotel quarantine for arrivals January 25, 2021 FTSE 100 closes at three-week low as ministers mull hotel quarantine for arrivals