All articles by George MacDonald – Page 261
-
News
Worst retail figures in 25 years, CBI reports
Wet weather and difficult trading conditions have resulted in the worst retail performance for 25 years.
-
News
Concerns raised over Woolworths covenants
Variety store group Woolworths is likely to stretch its banking covenants to the limit and fail to pay a dividend for the next two years, an analyst has warned after a company visit.
-
News
Ahold margins hit by promotions
International retailer Ahold has taken a margin hit and missed analysts’ forecasts after spending heavily on price promotions during its second quarter.
-
News
Superquinn up for sale
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda are all reportedly interested in buying Superquinn, the Irish grocer that has retained Goldman Sachs to advise on a sale.
-
News
Blacks adds to board with ex-Hobbs chief
Nick Samuel, former chief executive of fashion retailer Hobbs, has joined the board of Blacks Leisure as a non-executive director.
-
News
Gap profits revive but sales fall again
Fashion giant Gap has reported a surge in second quarter profits despite a fall in sales.
-
News
Sharp fears over M&S branded foods trial
Marks & Spencer launched its high-profile trial of branded foods despite misgivings on the part of executive director Steven Sharp, it has been claimed.
-
News
Abrupt end to respite as sector share prices take turn for worse
After the party, the hangover. Retail’s rally proved short-lived and once again the sector headed south as food groups and general retailers alike underperformed the market.
-
Opinion
Even food can lose its flavour
In tough times, investors seek refuge in defensive stocks. In retail that usually means food, but how safe a bet are the big grocers?
-
News
Woolies chairman willing to discuss Baugur deal
Woolworths chairman Richard North is open to discussions about selling the variety store group to Icelandic investor Baugur and entrepreneur Malcolm Walker.
-
News
Homebase store jobs in jeopardy
Hundreds of store jobs are at risk at Homebase, the DIY chain owned by Home Retail Group.
-
News
Grocers fire new salvo in price war
The latest offensive in the grocery price war is being fought out this weekend, as leading supermarkets slash prices of key lines once again.
-
News
M&S Sale to start next week
Marks & Spencer will go on Sale next week, when the retailer hopes bargain-hungry shoppers will flock to its stores following a difficult trading period.
-
Opinion
Woolies’ wonder can be restored
If Woolworths didn’t exist, would you invent it? If it wasn’t on the high street, would you miss it? Those questions have become clichés. Equally clichéd is the answer so commonly given – no.
-
News
Retail shares spring back as bid rumours surround troubled trio
Reversing the recent pattern, general retail stocks surged as bid speculation, stakebuilding and other chances of corporate action buoyed the sector.
-
News
M&S food fast improving under new chief
New Marks & Spencer food boss John Dixon has visibly improved the retailer’s food offer just five weeks into the job, in-store changes suggest.
-
News
Jewellery sector to grow despite tough conditions
Jewellery retailers are expected to ride out the credit crunch this year, with the market forecast to grow 4 per cent.
-
News
Woolworths names ex-Focus boss as chief executive
Woolworths has named Steve Johnson, former boss of DIY group Focus and consultant at Bain & Company, as chief executive
-
News
Woolies update and CBI figuresdo nothing to dispel retail gloom
Plummeting sales at Woolworths and a gloomy CBI survey kept the downward pressure on store shares, but a better-than-feared update from Next and director share buying at Marks & Spencer provided some reassurance.
-
Opinion
Tesco can bank on its canny deal
Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy has been a banker as well as a shopkeeper for 11 years, so the retailer’s decision to take full control of its personal finance business was not a shock.