All City & finance articles – Page 530
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NewsMamas & Papas sales lift bucks downturn
Nursery and maternity specialist Mamas & Papas has defied the gloom to post a 28% uplift in total sales in its growing maternity range since the start of its financial year on February 1.
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NewsDSGi’s John Browett signals lift in consumer mood
DSGi chief executive John Browett has voiced optimism that the consumer economy is improving after shoppers proved willing to trade up in recent months.
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NewsAnalysts welcome Majestic Wine changes
Majestic Wine revealed on Monday that it was reducing its minimum order size to six bottles after a trial in selected stores over the past year.
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NewsClubcard will allay Tesco doubts, says broker
Broker ING has upgraded Tesco ahead of next month’s interim results, despite concern among some analysts that the grocer is suffering at the hands of resurgent rivals.
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NewsThe Entertainer profits slide but Woolworths closures aid recovery
The Entertainer suffered a fall in pre-tax profits from £674,643 to £38,722 in the year to January 31, but the toy chain said it is on course to post record profits in its current financial year as sales soar.
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NewsRatings agency marks Marks & Spencer a ‘low credit risk’
Ratings agency Fitch has affirmed its BBB rating and “negative” outlook on Marks & Spencer.
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NewsMarket wobbles but positive signs abound
The market was hit by a bout of nerves following the recent bull run and the FTSE 100 suffered its biggest loss of value in two months. General retailers performed slightly below the market but food groups, which have frequently been out of favour lately, remained almost flat.
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NewsGap international sales fall 12% in August
Like-for-like sales at Gap’s international division, which includes its UK stores, fall by 12% in August.
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NewsMore retailers expected to go bust in 2010
The number of retail businesses going bust is set to continue next year as rising unemployment is expected to continue to impact consumer spending.
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NewsHamleys losses soar but sales revival under way
Toy retailer Hamleys’ net losses leapt last year to £7.1m from £2.7m as interest rate charges and restructuring costs ate into the bottom line.
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NewsFocus’s CVA dashes rivals’ hopes of market share gains
The success of Focus DIY’s CVA has quashed competitors’ hopes that capacity would be taken out of the DIY market.
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NewsStrong July does not spell the end, City says
The strong retail sales rise reported by the ONS for July met with a downbeat reaction in the City as analysts cautioned that it is still too early to call an end to the downturn.
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OpinionThe billion Dollar question
At last, a retail IPO. Dollar General’s flotation is happening in the States not the UK, but success would be a sign that markets may be fully opening again and that stores can win investor backing.
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NewsRetail stocks lifted as FTSE bounces back
The FTSE 100 closed at a 10-month high on Tuesday. Food and general retailers alike were both up over the week although neither matched the All-Share rise.
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NewsFashion-driven online lift enhances Asos forecasts
Fashion was one of the drivers of online sales in July, bolstering confidence in clothing online specialists such as Asos.
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NewsAnalysts cautious on Home Retail
There was a bearish view of Home Retail Group ahead of its second-quarter update, due on September 10.
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NewsLiberty losses narrow
Upmarket London department store Liberty has reduced its first half losses after the relaunch of its West End flagship store proved a success.
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NewsEsprit to invest in expansion as profits take a dive
Esprit has laid out plans to invest in is underperforming markets as the global downturn contributed to a group pre-tax profits fall of 26% to HK$5.97bn (£476m).
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NewsDebenhams upgraded as margin prospects improve
City brokers have issued a raft of upgrades for Debenhams ahead of its pre-close update next month.
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OpinionCompetition still hot in grocery
So farewell then – for now – to Paul Foley. The Aldi UK boss’s abrupt departure last week led to speculation that the wheels have come off his juggernaut.