All City & finance articles – Page 483
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OpinionBanks are on board – for now
The extent of new lending by the banks continues to preoccupy politicians but for some hard-pressed retailers existing borrowing is front of mind.
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NewsWH Smith like-for-likes fall 5%
WH Smith group like-for-likes dropped 5% in the 21 weeks to January 22.
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NewsOcado shares rise amid bid speculation
Online grocery giant Ocado’s shares have been driven higher than ever by a mixture of takeover and stake-building speculation.
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NewsHMV shareholder backs management
One of HMV’s largest shareholders has defended the management of the embattled entertainment retailer after a difficult month of profit warnings and reduction of credit insurance.
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NewsBurberry’s sales rocket at retail and wholesale arms
Burberry’s sales soared 27% to £470m in the three months to December 31, when the upscale fashion group’s retail and wholesale arms both achieved double-digit growth.
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NewsHalfords insists slip in bike sales is temporary
Analysts have cut their forecasts on the back of Halfords’ worse-than-expected Christmas trading update.
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NewsSecond management buyout could save troubled British Bookshops and Stationers
Collapsed chain British Bookshops and Stationers could be revived under its existing management, which is understood to be attempting a second management buyout within a year.
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NewsThe Conran Shop cashes in on pre-VAT rise spend
Upmarket retailer The Conran Shop has revealed a strong Christmas trading update as shoppers sought to beat the VAT increase.
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NewsPoor UK Christmas update prompts Tesco share drop
Tesco’s disappointing UK Christmas update resulted in a 4% drop in its share price last Thursday but the grocer insisted its performance was a blip because of the snow.
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OpinionDixons down but not out
Now that most Christmas numbers are out, retail sector investors face a fundamental question: yes, the snow affected sales but were there deeper reasons for disappointing trading at particular companies?
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NewsGeneral retailers up but grocers subdued
Last week’s Super Thursday round of updates brought plenty of depressing news as big names such as Dixons and Halfords warned that profits would only make the low end of expectations.
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NewsRestructuring specialist plots turnaround of HPJ Jewellers
Gordon Brothers understood to be negotiating rents on stores but has administrators on standby
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AnalysisInterest rates
With inflation still surging ahead of the Bank of England’s 2% target, a predicted interest rate hike this year could pose a threat to retail
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NewsAmazon agrees takeover of Lovefilm
Online giant Amazon has agreed the full acquisition of film rental specialist Lovefilm.
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NewsAsos sales up 59%
Fashion etailer Asos’ retail sales jumped 59% to £100m in the 3 months to December 31.
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NewsChange Capital among bidders for Bathstore
Change Capital, the private equity firm run by former Marks & Spencer boss Roger Holmes, is among those bidding for Bathstore.
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NewsTed Baker retail sales rise 7.6%
Fashion brand Ted Baker posted a 7.6% rise in retail sales over the crucial Christmas period and said pre-tax profit would be in line with expectations for the year to January 29.
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NewsMorrisons and Co-op eye up Abel & Cole
Food groups Morrisons and the Co-op are expected to be at the forefront of acquisition interest in organic food home delivery specialist Abel & Cole, which is being put up for sale.
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NewsAccessible stores give Blue Inc a festive boost
Fashion specialist Blue Inc, which is considering a flotation, generated a sales uplift over Christmas helped by the accessibility of its stores.
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NewsSainsbury’s to invest in own-brand after record Christmas
Grocer to build on its bumper Christmas after overtaking Asda as second biggest supermarket