More finance – Page 141
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AnalysisData: Retail sales growth half pre-Lehman levels
The BRC said today that retail sales growth has slowed to half that achieved before the collapse of Lehman Brothers which signalled the start of the recession in 2008.
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OpinionNick Bubb's Verdict: HMV expects Christmas sales pick-up. Is this credible?
The new senior management team at HMV have only been in place for a couple of weeks, but already they are blaming poor recent trading on “a lack of new releases”…and predicting a strong pick-up at Christmas. Is this credible?
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AnalysisInternational analysis: Best Buy aims to stabilise as clock ticks on buyout
US consumer electronics specialist Best Buy has reached an agreement to satisfy recent requests from founder Richard Schulze in connection with his offer to take the retailer private.
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OpinionComment: Hamleys deal opens the door to overseas growth
This week’s acquisition of Hamleys, which famously describes itself as the “finest toy shop in the world”, paves the way for the retailer to test that claim on a truly global scale.
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AnalysisHMV: What the analysts say
HMV reported an 11.6% slump in like-for-likes in the 20 weeks to September 15 today attributed to a slow sumer release schedule. The City reacted negatively to the news.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Lessons from the September reporting season
A raft of retailers ranging from John Lewis to Argos and spanning food to homewares updated last week. Retail Week examines the picture they paint of retail conditions.
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OpinionComment: Uphill slog to get Blacks in shape
The 80% plunge in first-half profits at JD Sports, mainly attributable to recently acquired outdoor specialist Blacks, looks pretty awful at face value.
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AnalysisFrench Connection: What the analysts say
French Connection has revealed a plan to turnaround its fortunes after reporting a pre-tax loss of £6.3m for the six months to the end of July 31. Unimpressed analysts are not expecting a quick return to profit.
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OpinionNick Bubb's verdict: Asos - a super online story
The old adage of caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”) sprang immediately to mind when the Bestseller Group began to aggressively build a stake in Asos just over two years ago.
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OpinionComment: Should we be doing more to fight crippling business rates?
It’s September again. A notable month, not just because of my birthday (all gifts gratefully accepted) but because it’s when the powers that be set the figure by which business rates will be increased next year.
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AnalysisJD Sports: What the analysts say
As expected JD Sports Fashion has reported a pre-tax loss as its battles to turnaround outdoor chain Blacks and absorbs costs from other acquisitions. The City remains confident that it will hit its full year forecasts.
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AnalysisDebenhams: What the analysts say
Debenhams surprised the City by continuing to report like-for-like sales growth despite the volatile trading conditions. However, the department store chain has left analysts questioning why profit forecasts have not been raised.
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InterviewQ&A: Alliance Boots executive chairman Stefano Pessina
As health and beauty retailer and wholesaler Alliance Boots acquires a 12% stake in chinese chain Nanjing Pharmaceutical, Retail Week speaks to the group’s chairman Stefano Pessina about his plans for the business and what’s next in his quest for global domination.
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OpinionComment: Farewell to Allders as closure looms
That the demise of one shop can command such attention in a retail landscape scarred by CVAs and large administrations is a reflection of the place Allders holds in British retailing history.
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OpinionComment: Debenhams sets the standard for retail
Department store group Debenhams took analysts on a tour of its Milton Keynes shop last week.
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AnalysisDunelm: What the analysts say
Value homewares chain Dunelm reported another set of positive full year results this morning as pre-tax profits surged 15.1% to £96.2m in the 52 weeks to 30 June. The City was not disappointed.
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AnalysisNext: What the analysts say
Next has reported a rise in profits for the half to July despite a fall in like-for-likes due to an “unusually quiet” August and September. The City has issued a cautious response but has confidence in the retailer’s multi-channel strategy.
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AnalysisHome Retail: What the analysts say
Home Retail has stablished like-for-like sales at Argos but as Homebase remains challenging, analysts are concerned that the retailer group’s issues are structural rather than cyclical.
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AnalysisKingsfisher results: region by region
Unseasonal weather, declining housing markets and the difficult economic background across Europe have made a significant impact on Kingfisher’s domestic and international businesses. Retail Week takes a closer look at its performance market by market.
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AnalysisAnalysis: How to overcome retail property challenges
As tenants, landlords and local authorities continue to grapple with myriad challenges still facing high street retail, Retail Week Property talks to some experts about what steps need to be taken to overcome them, and how the future of the high street might look.