More finance – Page 145
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AnalysisN Brown: What the analysts say
N Brown surprised the market this morning with news that chief executive Alan White and chairman Lord Alliance will leave the home shopping group. The announcement coincided with the company reporting a 1.9% rise in like-for-like sales in the 17 weeks to June 30. Total sales increased 2.5%.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Fifty years of Walmart
Half a century ago today Sam Walton opened his first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas. George MacDonald examines how the company went on to change the global retail landscape.
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AnalysisKesa rebrands following lacklustre financial results
Kesa Electricals has revealed a business restructure and a new focus on multichannel retailing across its European network.
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OpinionShapland shapes up for Carpetright challenge
After only six weeks in the job, no one was expecting a miracle from new Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland in this week’s annual results – in fact the market was braced for bad news following a succession of profit warnings.
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AnalysisTransatlantic tie-up creates healthy future for Alliance Boots
Stefano Pessina of Alliance Boots and Gregory Wasson of Walgreens tell Tiffany Holland about their plans to create a strong global partnership.
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OpinionDixons in good position for growth
Dixons’ full-year profits were down year on year but nevertheless came in at the top of expectations – which means the electricals retailer looks to be in a good position for growth.
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AnalysisDebenhams: What the analysts say
Debenhams posted a strong uplift in sales boosted by the Jubilee and Easter weekends which happened in the period. Analysts are surprised by the particularly good results.
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AnalysisOverseas growth: Why the VISTA countries are worth considering
Retailers eyeing overseas growth often look at the BRIC markets, but VISTA countries – Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand and Argentina – are worth considering.
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InterviewQ&A: Carpetright's new boss Darren Shapland
Darren Shapland, former Sainsbury’s and Carpetright finance director, six weeks ago became the first chief executive to run Carpetright since founder Lord Harris stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business.
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AnalysisCarpetright: What the analysts say
As Carpetright’s profits plunged from £17.8m to £2.8m last year, analysts find positives with the recent appointment of new chief executive Darren Shapland, formerly finance director at both Sainsburys and Carpetright.
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AnalysisOcado: What the retail analysts say
Ocado reported a 12% uplift in sales for the first half today and forecast difficulties in the third qaurter due to disruption caused by the Jubilee celebration and the Olympics. The results were met with concern by commentators.
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AnalysisAnalysis: What will Richard Pennycook’s departure mean for Morrisons?
The news that highly-respected finance director Richard Pennycook is to leave Morrisons next year has come as a shock to the market and likely to be unpopular with the City who have long trusted Pennycook’s plan for the grocer.
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OpinionBoots’ Walgreens deal creates a retail giant
In selling a 45% stake in Alliance Boots to the US pharmacy giant Walgreens, owner Stefano Pessina has struck perhaps the most significant deal for a UK retailer since the Walmart acquisition of Asda and realised his own dreams of transforming the Boots brand.
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AnalysisThe Hut: Company profile
As the online group’s performance continues to soar, Retail Week takes a look at The Hut’s business model.
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OpinionBoost for Argos as it stems decline
So used has the City become to dismal trading at Home Retail’s flagship Argos business that any sign of respite prompts jubilation.
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AnalysisHome Retail Group: What the analysts say
Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and Homebase, has delivered a better-than-expected performance, as total sales at catalogue retailer Argos edged up 0.2% to £819m, while Homebase was hit by the wet weather. Despite the surprising numbers, analysts remain cautious.
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AnalysisAlliance Boots: The attractions of the US pharmacy market
Alliance Boots’ strategic partnership with US pharmacy giant Walgreens is likely to herald a period of fundamental change for the retailer as it takes significant steps into the huge North American market.
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AnalysisMajestic Wine: What the analysts say
Majestic Wine reported a 14.5% uplift in pre-tax profit today while increasing its target for store numbers by 100 to 330 stores. The City reacted favourably.
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AnalysisOutsourcing: Is it right for your business?
Retail is about selling products, so outsourcing non-core business functions can make sense for retailers. Anna Richardson Taylor examines the issue.
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AnalysisRetailers’ banks: What do consumers need to know?
By opening a fully fledged, 50-branch bank, Marks & Spencer is relying on the power of its brand – and venturing where Sir Stuart Rose feared to tread.