City A.M.’s bumper Autumn Statement preview December 3, 2013 As chancellor George Osborne gets set to unveil this year's Autumn statement on Thursday, we've pulled together all the expected announcements, and what others are hoping for. Ladbrokes have 11/5 odds on the speech to run for 45 to 50 minutes (it's scheduled to start at 11.15am). You'll get 6/4 odds on the speech running [...]
Greene King serves up healthy profits as sales rise December 3, 2013 Pub retailer Greene King has posted solid profits and rising sales for the six months to 13 October. The company recorded a rise in pre-tax profit of 5.7 per cent to £85.6m while total revenue rose 5.2 per cent to £595.4m. Strong growth in key areas such as food helped drive like-for-like retail sales up 3.5 [...]
It’s a tough job but someone has got to do it December 1, 2013 The new boss of recruiter SThree tells Marion Dakers how his diverse business is navigating through the economic recovery AS THE festive party season rolls around again, staff at SThree will be looking forward to the office get-together more than most. Over the last few years, the white-collar recruiter has used its annual bash in [...]
The retail champion who puts fame after business December 1, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks T-shirts and Small Business Saturday with Made in Chelsea’s Oliver Proudlock THE SERGE DeNimes headquarters is a cosy studio-cum-office, located exactly where you would expect for a business whose founder has found fame on Channel 4’s hugely-successful reality TV show Made In Chelsea. I’m hesitant about interviewing Oliver Proudlock, who, when not [...]
German spending slides on post-election uncertainty November 29, 2013 Retail sales fell for the second month in a row in Germany, declining 0.8 per cent in October and missing expectations of a 0.5 per cent rise. September's decrease was revised from 0.4 per cent to 0.2 per cent. The latest numbers see a year-on-year decrease of 0.2 per cent, following expectations of a [...]
Bottom Line: Hard work starts now results are delivered November 27, 2013 VINCE Cable is right: it’s probably too soon to be booking losses on behalf of the taxpayer for the Royal Mail share sale. The stock rose yet again yesterday, with investors impressed by a set of results that delivered but did not beat forecasts. However the Royal Mail’s bankers handled the float, at least the [...]
Double glazing firm Safestyle UK eyes up funding window on Aim November 27, 2013 WINDOWS and doors company Safestyle UK yesterday said it is planning a £77m flotation on Aim next month. The firm – which manufactures, sells and installs doors and windows – is expected to launch its public offering on 11 December via a £70m share placement, giving it an initial market capitalisation of £77m. Safestyle, founded [...]
Britvic posts strong growth but sees challenges ahead in 2014 November 26, 2013 Soft drinks producer Britvic has posted strong growth for the year ended 29 September 2013. The maker of Tango and White's Lemonade saw revenue climb by 4.4 per cent to £1.3bn and brand contribution growth across all business units. Net profit rose by eight per cent to £108m while the company reduced its debt by [...]
Royal mail failing to meet targets says Ofcom November 22, 2013 The Office of Communications (Ofcom), has warned recently-privatised Royal Mail that it must meet its delivery requirements if it is to avoid fines. Royal Mail failed to achieve its requirement of 93 per cent delivery of first class letters the day after the they are posted, instead reaching 91.7 per cent. The figures were revealed [...]
Bonmarché rises on AIM debut November 20, 2013 OVER-FIFTIES clothing chain Bonmarché kicked off its first day of trading yesterday on London’s junior market after an initial public offering that raised £40m. Shares closed up at 220.5p last night, above the original offer price set last week of 200p a share and valuing the retailer at £110m. Some analysts have criticised the company [...]