Latest finance news – Page 529
-
NewsRivals circle Focus stores after its collapse into administration
4,000 jobs in the balance as struggling DIY retailer calls in Ernst & Young after defaulting on loan.
-
NewsCity expecting better news from retailers
A downbeat assessment of retail conditions from the CBI on Tuesday unsettled investors but just a day later fashion bellwether Next posted a better than expected first quarter, helped by warm weather.
-
NewsFootfall suffers as royal fever grips nation
Shopper numbers slumped on the weekend of William and Kate’s nuptials but food and garden retailers were boosted by wedding fever.
-
NewsCalls for new Comet boss Darke to shake things up
Electricals retailer Comet’s new managing director Bob Darke needs to bring a completely fresh approach if he hopes to turn the business around, observers believe.
-
NewsBlacks banking on new ranges to return to profit
Outdoor clothing and equipment group Blacks intends to boost sales through new product categories as it bids to restore profitability.
-
NewsWolfson remains cautious despite strong performance from Next
Next chief executive Lord Wolfson remained cautious this week despite reporting better than expected sales, warning that any rises in commodity prices or interest rates could slow growth.
-
NewsOverseas helps Clarks profits to break £100m
Clarks’ group pre-tax profit has topped £100m for the first time in its 185 year history despite a “challenging” UK market.
-
NewsNew categories overtake media products as Amazon diversifies
Amazon is gunning to grab share outside its core product categories as international sales in its non-media division overtook media for the first time.
-
NewsAlexon back in the black as turnaround plan bears fruit
Fashion group Alexon has returned to full-year profitability as a result of successful restructuring agreements on loss-making shop leases and more focus on cutting operating costs.
-
NewsAbsorbing price rises will cost Primark £20m
Analysts forecast that Primark could take a hit of up to £20m on profit margins this year as it absorbs input price rises to continue to offer its cheap chic fashion.
-
NewsHalfords model is ‘far from broken’ despite setbacks
Motor accessories specialist Halfords’ shares may now have now hit a floor and offer good value, according to Singer analyst Mark Photiades.
-
NewsThorntons melts in the Easter heat
Thorntons’ poor third quarter resulted from the competitive environment and a structural shift from the high street as well as the warm Easter weather, City analysts said.
-
NewsCarpetright sheds 350 jobs and 12 stores as cost drive continues
Carpetright has made about 350 job cuts in the past 12 months as it slashes costs in a difficult market.
-
NewsM&S deputy chairman Michels to stand down
Marks & Spencer deputy chairman Sir David Michels, who led the search for a successor to Sir Stuart Rose as chief executive, is to stand down in February 2012.
-
NewsFocus in administration
Focus DIY collapsed into administration this morning after filing an intent to appoint administrators yesterday, as revealed by Retail Week.
-
NewsBest Buy Mobile powers Carphone Warehouse fourth quarter performance
Carphone Warehouse has posted strong fourth quarter growth, powered by its Best Buy Mobile venture in the US.
-
NewsFirst quarter sales up at Morrisons
Morrisons like for like sales rose by 2.5% in its first quarter to 1 May, excluding fuel and VAT.
-
NewsAdministration looms for Focus
Focus DIY has filed an intention to appoint administrators following a credit default.
-
NewsBlacks reduces full-year losses and confirms Julia Reynolds as new boss
Blacks Leisure has reported a reduction in its full-year pre-tax loss and exceptional items to £6.6m from £14.4m the previous year but still suffered a “disappointing” year and has confirmed Julia Reynolds as its new chief executive.
-
NewsRoyal Wedding and warm weather boosts Next sales
Next sales rose 5.2% in its first quarter as warm weather over Easter as well as spending in the run up to the Royal Wedding boosted sales.