Latest finance news – Page 541
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NewsFood prices will continue to rise, warn scientists
Food prices will soar 50% over the next 40 years because of supply shortages, according to scientists.
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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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NewsHolland & Barrett like-for-likes up 2.3% in December
Holland & Barrett reported like-for-like sales up 2.3% in December as shoppers sought out health foods over the festive period.
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NewsSuperdrug Christmas like-for-likes up 1.7%
Superdrug has reported like-for-like sales up 1.7% over Christmas.
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NewsMulberry Christmas like-for-likes surge 70%
Luxury goods specialist Mulberry will beat profit expectations after a storming Christmas.
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NewsCredit insurers vow not to pull plug on retailers
Insurers insist there won’t be a repeat of the withdrawal of cover despite HMV’s woes
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NewsInflation threat could prompt trading down
Shoppers are increasingly likely to switch supermarkets or swap to cheaper brands in the face of soaring food price inflation.
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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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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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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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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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NewsAsos shifts focus to international sales with new website launches
Fashion etail giant Asos expects overseas sales to overtake its UK division in the next quarter as it plans to launch “a handful” of new international websites over the next 12 to 18 months.
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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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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 Hut Group buys collapsed beauty site
Online retailer The Hut Group will hit the acquisition trail again this year in order to maintain strong growth.
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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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NewsEBay reports strong Christmas, led by fashion
Etail giant eBay has reported a strong fourth quarter in the UK. Sales rose 170%, led by fashion as sales of clothes, shoes and accessories outperformed.
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NewsLaura Ashley profits to beat expectations
Strong trading over Christmas means fashion and homewares business Laura Ashley now expects full year pre-tax profit to be “significantly higher” than previously expectated.