More finance – Page 153
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OpinionLook hard enough, and retail’s glass is half full
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement will have prompted a brief sigh of relief from retailers.
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OpinionReviving Clintons
At the global property conference Mapic two weeks ago, one of the main questions on the lips of landlords and agents was ‘what will Clintons do with its 800-strong store estate?’
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AnalysisMothercare: The mother of all challenges
Maternity specialist Mothercare, alarmed by a sudden drop in sales, has launched a restorative operational review. Gemma Goldfingle reports on the outlook for the retailer.
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OpinionDIY innovation pays dividends
Kingfisher’s programme of self-help has paid dividends, and not just to its shareholders.
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AnalysisMultichannel Now: Executive Summary
Retail Week brings you highlights of our second definitive report into the state of multichannel retailing in the UK.
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OpinionRetail needs a break from the politicians
When is a plastic bag not just any old plastic bag? The answer apparently is when its purpose is to protect what’s inside rather than simply to carry stuff home.
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OpinionTough times in retailing create opportunities
The pressure is on, but when the going gets tough the tough get going, says Lord Kirkham.
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OpinionHalfords on the right road
On the face of it, Halfords’ numbers did not look too pretty last week. The car parts and bikes retailer reported a pre-tax profit fall of 20% in its first half.
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OpinionRetailers are the wrong tax target
Devolved British governments must not hamper retail giving something back, says Andy Clarke.
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AnalysisWhat next for Comet?
After last week’s £2 sale of Comet, debate is raging over whether its new owners can turn the ailing electricals retailer around. By Rebecca Thomson.
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AnalysisChristmas expectations: What do retailers need to know?
An ill wind is blowing in the run-up to Christmas as signs point to a dip in spending over the festive period. Is there any hope of good cheer on the horizon?
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OpinionM&S strategy looks sound
So far so good for Marc Bolland. While the Marks & Spencer chief executive revealed a fall in first-half profits this week, the overall performance was in line with analysts’ expectations and most onlookers breathed a sigh of relief.
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InterviewQ&A: SuperGroup boss Julian Dunkerton and chief financial officer Chas Howes
Retail Week speaks to SuperGroup’s chief executive Julian Dunkerton and chief financial officer Chas Howes following its second quarter update.
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AnalysisAmazon’s profits hit as it focuses on long-term gains
Last week Amazon recorded a 73% fall in net profit to $63m (£39.1m) during its third quarter ended September 30 compared with the same period last year, despite sales jumping 44% to $10.88bn (£6.75bn).
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OpinionConsumer slowdown is accelerating change
Sitting in a top fashion retailer’s office on Tuesday with the air-conditioning turned up to full blast, it wasn’t hard to see why selling clothes is hard at the moment.
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OpinionM&S steady in rough seas
Amid renewed economic gloom and relentlessly downbeat consumer sentiment, next week brings a chance to gauge the sector’s temperature as some of retail’s biggest beasts report.
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OpinionStill deals to be done despite volatility
It is no great surprise that the mergers and acquisitions environment has been getting much tougher over recent months with increasingly volatile trading conditions and darker consumer outlook – but more about that later, what has happened so far this year?
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OpinionIs this the calm before the storm for retailers?
Every time the ONS or BRC issues sales figures that are not as bad as expected, the retail industry is accused of crying wolf.
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OpinionArgos will have to fight in China
Back in the summer, at the time of Home Retail Group’s full-year results, I asked Terry Duddy whether international expansion might make sense for Argos.
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AnalysisCarrefour sounds profit warning as sales slide
Last week, the world’s second largest retailer, France-based Carrefour issued its fourth profit warning saying it expected 2011 operating profit to fall by up to 20%, compared with 15% stated previously for its third profit warning in August.