All articles by George MacDonald – Page 248
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NewsSainsbury’s confident in future as profits rise
Focus on fundamentals and agility in fast-changing trading conditions helped Sainsbury’s notch up an 11 per cent profits rise and fourth consecutive year of like-for-like growth.
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NewsRetail sales growth in April was best in three years
Retailers enjoyed their best sales growth in three years during April, when like-for-like sales surged 4.6 per cent and total turnover advanced 6.3 per cent.
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NewsCity encouraged by general retail outlook
Food stocks dipped this week while general retailers continued to outperform, with brokers encouraged by some prudent management outlined in the updates.
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Analysis
The grocery ombudsman
The Competition Commission has begun a public consultation over proposals to create a grocery ombudsman, but why would one be necessary and who would benefit?
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OpinionWaterstone’s must turn the page
Has HMV’s takeover of Ottakar’s paved the way for Waterstone’s high street domination as opponents of the deal predicted?
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News
Harvey Nichols to widen appeal with young-fashion offer
Upscale department store group Harvey Nichols will launch a young-fashion offer early next year as part of chief executive Joseph Wan’s strategy to beat the downturn.
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NewsReassuring updates propel retail shares again
Once again, the only way was up for store stocks as the general retailers’ rally maintained momentum following a raft of reassuring updates and results.
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OpinionIs retail seaworthy again?
Are investors in retail shares, like the Jumblies, going to sea in a sieve?
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News
US retail ‘undertaker’ sets up shop in UK
US-based retail restructuring and liquidation giant GA Asset Advisors has arrived in the UK in expectation of continued turmoil in the stores sector.
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NewsConsumer confidence levels rise for third month
Consumer confidence improved in April to levels not seen for more than a year.Confidence in the general economic situation over the next 12 months reached an index level of -15, which was a 16-point improvement on the previous month and the strongest showing since August 2007 research carried out by ...
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NewsDSGi to raise £310.6m
Electricals group DSGi has unveiled plans for a £310.6m rights issue and share placing.
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NewsM&S to launch 125th anniversary fashion range
Marks & Spencer is to mark its 125th anniversary with a special womenswear range drawing on key fashion looks from the past.
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NewsHome Retail Group posts 24 per cent fall in preliminary profits
Home Retail Group, owner of the Argos and Homebase chains, has warned of continued tough trading conditions ahead after posting a 24 per cent fall in preliminary profits.
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NewsCarrefour reports ‘stable’ first quarter
International retail giant Carrefour has reported “stable” sales of €22.7bn for the first quarter of this year.
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NewsBrokers unmoved by surging retail stocks
Rocketing store shares prompted open-jawed amazement on the part of some analysts, who are convinced the market has got ahead of itself.Fresh back from his holidays, Pali’s Nick Bubb clocked the “astonishing” surge of the past few weeks but maintained his bear stance.“Green shoots can quickly shrivel and we are ...
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OpinionKingfisher well placed for future
This year Easter is just one battle in a longer war of attrition between the DIY groups that many believe will end in consolidation.
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NewsIdeal Shopping Direct makes full-year loss
The directors of home shopping group Ideal Shopping Direct have pledged to restore the retailer to profitability after a turbulent year.Ideal posted a loss of £4m before exceptional charges of £9.2m in the year to December 28, 2008, when sales fell 2 per cent to £94.7m. The previous year the ...
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NewsArgyll Partners takes hit on Woolworth Deutschland
Retail corporate financier and private equity firm Argyll Partners’ investment in Woolworth Deutschland has turned sour as the German retailer plunged into administration.Argyll, one of the best known retail finance boutiques, bought into Woolworth Deutschland 18 months ago but the store group was hit by poor Christmas trading, competition from ...
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OpinionHunger for food stocks sated
General retailers’ popularity has been growing of late. At the end of last week some big names rose again, at the expense of the food giants.Although food stocks are often popular for their defensive qualities during tough times, the big grocers were not the flavour of the week. Last Friday ...
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News
‘Stupendous’ week for general retail stocks
General retailers staged a “stupendous run” last week, broker Numis observed, buoyed by better than expected Marks & Spencer numbers.