UK retail industry battles ‘toughest ever’ trading conditions July 22, 2019 The health of the UK retail industry is on the brink of falling to record lows as shops battle some of the “toughest trading conditions they’ve ever experienced”. The Retail Health Index, which takes into account consumer demand, gross margins and costs, fell from 77 to 76 in the second quarter, financial services firm KPMG [...]
DEBATE: Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? July 22, 2019 Is 4G on the Tube something to get excited about? Ben Askins, managing director at Verb Brands, says YES. “Sorry I didn’t get back to you, I was on the Tube” is an anecdote that our grandchildren will be shocked by. While it’s true that no one will be able to stop the incoming onslaught [...]
Homebase closes in on Bathstore takeover July 19, 2019 Homebase is set to buy struggling retailer Bathstore after the UK’s largest bathroom specialist fell into administration three weeks ago. Administrators BDO have since been looking for a buyer to save the flagging chain, and now Homebase are close to agreeing a deal, according to The Telegraph. Read more: Homebase named UK’s worst retail website [...]
Asos profit warning: Three factors behind online retailer’s fall from grace July 18, 2019 Shares in fast fashion retailer Asos plummeted this morning as the online marketplace warned that profits will be lower than expected this year. The company blamed this morning’s profit warning – its second in just over six months – on operational issues at new warehouse facilities in Europe and the US. Operational issues plague retail [...]
Growing pains: Asos share price plunges after fresh profit warning July 18, 2019 Online fashion giant Asos suffered a double-digit drop in its share price this morning after warning that profits will be lower than expected this year, citing new troubles in its international warehouse facilities. In its second profit warning in just over six months, the firm said today that it was reducing its forecasts as it [...]
Retailer Koovs hangs hopes on 2020 growth despite drop in sales July 17, 2019 Indian fashion retailer Koovs said it is on track for a return to growth in 2020, despite a decline in sales over the last 12 months. The London-listed firm posted net sales of £7.5m in 2019, down from £9.6m the previous years, while revenue was flat at £6.4m. Shares in Koovs dropped more than six [...]
Asos prepares job cuts as sales slump July 7, 2019 Around 100 jobs are at risk at Asos’s London headquarters as the online retailer battles with slumping sales. The fast-fashion brand is consulting on a round of redundancies, which will mainly affect the marketing department, the Sunday Times reported. Read more: Eurozone retail sales see suprise fall in May Asos issued a warning in December, [...]
Podcast: Why invest in AIM shares? June 27, 2019 AIM is 24 years-old! To celebrate, our head of equity strategy Lee Wild and head of markets Richard Hunter discuss why it can be a happy hunting ground for investors, and how to do it successfully. AIM was launched in 1995, has a combined market capitalisation of more than £70 billion, and is home to [...]
Why ASOS just dived to a multi-month low June 26, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. With an impressive recovery in 2019 unwinding in spectacular fashion, how far will the shares fall? A downgrade for ASOS (LSE:ASC) shares yesterday flagged margin pressures as the former high-flying stock attempts to drive global expansion in the face of fast-fashion rivals including Boohoo (LSE:BOO). The note from UBS analyst Olivia Townsend suggests that recent [...]
Ethical clothing move by Asos aligns with views of eco-conscious June 26, 2019 Fast fashion is an increasingly hot topic as consumers become more environmentally aware, conscious about the impact of their shopping habits and look to reduce waste. Despite this, environmentally positive changes have been slow or non-existent, such as the recent rejection of the 1p fast fashion tax by government that would have raised money for [...]