All articles by George MacDonald – Page 235
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NewsWarning of uncertain new year takes shine off retail sales figures
Retailers have achieved three consecutive months of sales growth but the performance is unlikely to be sustained in the new year, the CBI reported.
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NewsRetail sales fell in November ONS reports
Retail sales fell by volume and value in November, official data showed. The decline came as a surpise to the sector.
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NewsShowroom sales rocket at Wickes
DIY chain Wickes has generated strong sales growth in showroom categories and made market share gains, parent Travis Perkins revealed.
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NewsBest Buy sales and profits rise in third quarter
Electricals giant Best Buy has posted a leap in third quarter sales and profits and upped full-year earnings guidance.
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NewsConsumer price inflation rises to 1.9%
The rate of consumer price inflation rose to 1.9% in November from 1.5% the previous month, official statistics showed.
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NewsDixons tones down second leg of ad push
Electricals market leader DSGi has launched the second phase of its irreverent ad campaign for its online business Dixons.co.uk.
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NewsCarphone’s ‘wireless world’ to grow as it readies for Best Buy
Carphone Warehouse is to expand its number of ‘wireless world’ format stores in the second half and speed up openings in the new financial year.
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AnalysisEuan Sutherland is making good headway at Kingfisher
Kingfisher’s turnaround is still a work in progress, but its UK chief executive is making good headway, says George MacDonald.
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NewsTory guru attacks big grocers’ dominance
A think tank boss close to Conservative leader David Cameron has mounted an astonishing attack on supermarkets and called for restrictions on how they operate.
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NewsBest Buy Europe profits to be at top end of expectations
Carphone Warehouse expects its share of full-year net income from Best Buy Europe to be at the top end of expectations and said it is on track to open big box stores next spring.
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OpinionMorrisons after Marc Bolland
The high value attributed to Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland was evident in the share price reaction when it emerged last week that he was jumping ship to Marks & Spencer. M&S jumped 6% on the news, while Morrisons was down 5%, and Bolland was dubbed the billion-dollar man.
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NewsAsda and Tesco: winners from Woolworths’ collapse
Grocery giants Asda and Tesco have scooped the lion’s share of defunct variety store group Woolworths’ sales.
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NewsHigh price tag for Matalan likely to attract calls for earn-out clause
Potential buyers of value retailer Matalan are likely to demand an earn-out or similar clause in any deal with founder and owner John Hargreaves.
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AnalysisCould Woolworths have been saved?
The variety store group’s collapse angered and shocked many but why did it fail, should the administrator have done more and what can be learned from its demise? George MacDonald investigates.
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NewsFood falls as Marc Bolland quits at Morrisons
Last week’s shock news that Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland is leaving to head Marks & Spencer helped pull down the food sector relative to general retailers.
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NewsMarks & Spencer engages with shoppers on Facebook
Marks & Spencer director of store marketing and design Nayna McIntosh fielded questions on pre-Christmas discounting and controversial Christmas ads in a live web chat on Facebook on Tuesday.
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NewsDSGi sees signs of improvement as results beat forecasts
Electricals market leader DSGi, owner of the Currys and PC World chains, reported that sales trends have improved and posted a lower than expected interim loss.
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NewsBorders UK collapses into administration
MCR has been appointed as administrator to Borders UK.
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NewsLehman Brothers collapse takes toll on Reiss
Fashion retailer Reiss has reported “creditable” earnings last year, when it suffered like other retailers in the aftermath of Lehman Brothers’ demise.
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NewsWHSmith pulls out of Borders bid
WHSmith has ended talks about buying troubled bookseller Borders UK, raising doubts over the specialist’s future.