Binned merger deal boosts Burberry’s share price December 5, 2016 Burberry group's share price is up by two per cent this morning after it emerged the company turned down a merger deal with its US rival. The British fashion chain received an approach from Coach, but binned a deal that valued the company at over $20bn, according to the Financial Times. Read more: Burberry profits fall [...]
Fortnum & Mason announces record results with sales and profit up December 5, 2016 Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason has announced record sales and profit growth of more than 25 per cent for the third year in a row, and revealed that it has increased trading with domestic UK brands over the past 12 months. The iconic British brand reported profits of £6.2m, up 27 per cent compared to [...]
Cost of the Christmas shop will be lower than it was three years ago December 5, 2016 Despite the worries about rising prices post-Brexit, the family Christmas shop is set to be cheaper this year than it was three years ago. Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen showed that shop prices fell 1.7 per cent in November; the same level of deflation reported the month before. Read more: Chilly weather's [...]
Over 5,500 UK restaurants face risk of going bust as pound’s fall makes food prices more expensive December 5, 2016 Thousands of UK restaurants could be at risk of going out of business in the next three years, as the fall in the value of sterling raises costs for imported food and threatens to squeeze consumer spending. Over 5,500 restaurant companies have a 30 per cent chance of going bust by the end of 2019, [...]
Business growth remains steady as high street has a rosy month, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) data shows December 4, 2016 British businesses enjoyed modest growth in the three months to November, and are expected to maintain the pace into 2017, according to a survey published today. Private sector growth remained steady in the last three months, research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed, while retailers and consumer-facing companies reported a rise in growth. “The [...]
How governance can work for business December 4, 2016 Three years on from the Co-op Bank scandal the group has reformed, writes Allan Leighton Business is in danger of ignoring the public mood. Amid all the recent debate about workers on boards, executive pay and the politics of profit, one truth stands out – trust in business is not where it should be. Many [...]
Four Seasons facing rising bills as hedge funds jostle for control December 4, 2016 Unsustainable debt and a looming £26m interest payment have thrown the future of care home operator Four Seasons in to doubt. Last week it was revealed Four Seasons lost £27.4m in the three months to the end of September but must pay £52m interest on its debt every year. It currently has cash reserves of just £51.3m [...]
TUI Group shifts its tourist destinations focus to match changing demand after terrorist attacks hit Eastern Mediterranean December 4, 2016 Flexibility on destinations has been vital to strategy for the world’s biggest tourism operator TUI Group ahead of its full-year results, as customer demand changes in the wake of terrorist attacks and instability in formerly popular destinations. Recent terrorist attacks and a deteriorating security situation have dampened demand in the eastern Mediterranean, which includes countries [...]
Private equity groups circle Oasis, Warehouse and Coast December 4, 2016 Private equity groups are reportedly interested in buying up fashion brands Warehouse, Oasis and Coast, also known as the Aurora Fashion Group. The group recently appointed PwC to conduct a "strategic review" for the business, and is thought to be seeking a sale worth £100m. Read more: MPs pay surprise visit to Sports Direct's Shirebrook warehouse [...]
BHS pensions lifeboat fights ballooning bill from administrators Duff & Phelps December 4, 2016 The BHS pensions lifeboat has vetoed an invoice put forward by the collapsed retailer's administrators, Duff & Phelps. Duff & Phelps initially estimated a fee of £3.5m for its work on BHS, but later increased its fee to £4.1m. In a meeting of creditors on 15 November, the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) – BHS' largest creditor [...]
