All Focus articles – Page 3
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NewsRoyal wedding celebrations cause mixed trade for retail
Wedding gives boost in sales in run-up to April 29 but drop in footfall is predicted on the big day.
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AnalysisThe garden centre market
With Easter on the horizon garden centre retailers are preparing for their busiest time of the year, with the aim to recover and grow after lost sales last year.
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NewsIn Focus: FOCUS
Recently I highlighted the exceptional £4,900 per sq ft sales densities achieved by Richer Sounds. This time it is the opposite end of the density spectrum.
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NewsFocus strikes deal to keep monthly rents
DIY group Focus has won agreement from most of its landlords to carry on paying monthly rents from the end of this month.
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NewsFocus offloads 6 stores to Asda
DIY chain Focus has offloaded six stores to supermarket Asda in a bid to raise funds.
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NewsIn Focus: Hamleys versus The Entertainer
Hamleys is a British retailing enigma. The best-known name in toy retailing, its iconic Regent Street store is an international tourist destination to rival Harrods.
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AnalysisMary Portas: Queen of shops or enemy of retailers?
Mary Portas’ new series, Secret Shopper, has incurred the wrath of retailers. But the ‘queen of shops’ remains defiant.
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NewsIn Focus: Blockbuster
Despite its US parent’s move into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, UK Blockbuster has traded profitably of late, following heavy losses in the mid-2000s - but what are its future prospects?
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NewsFocus in talks with retailers about store disposals
The private-equity owner of Focus is understood to be sounding out other retailers about selling off some of the DIY chain’s stores to fund investment in new store formats.
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NewsBreak-up merchants eye struggling DIY chain Focus
DIY chain’s owner appoints adviser as it considers options for troubled retailer
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NewsFocus brings in Lazard as owner considers its options
Focus DIY’s owners have hired bank Lazard to consider options that could lead to a sale of the home improvement chain.
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NewsBird steps down from Focus after rebranding
Focus DIY brand director Richard Bird, who was the architect of the retailer’s brand repositioning, has stepped down from his role and the day-to-day running of the business.
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AnalysisA new lease of life?
Britain’s leasing system has moved in tenants’ favour during the downturn. With stability returning, Mark Faithfull asks if the terms of retail property deals have now changed forever
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NewsThree-quarters of Focus stores could be downsized
Focus DIY has revealed a 17% uplift in full-year EBITDA as it lays out plans for further stores in its new compact format.
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NewsB&Q to open small city centre stores
DIY retailer B&Q intends to open small-format city centre stores in the UK after the success of similar pilot stores run by parent Kingfisher overseas.
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NewsBill Grimsey to become Focus chair
Focus chief executive Bill Grimsey is to become chairman at the DIY chain with managing director Rob Gladwin taking over as chief executive.
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Analysis
An Easter battle come rain or shine
Recent unpredictable weather has only heightened pressures on the DIY sector and an Easter washout could spell disaster. Nicola Harrison looks at retailers’ fightbacks and asks if the looming price war will help
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NewsFocus close to signing first ‘compact’ store
Focus DIY is poised to sign its first small-format store as it vowed not to be drawn into the DIY price war gripping the sector.
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News
RWC2010: Focus chief Bill Grimsey defends CVAs
Focus chief executive Bill Grimsey has defended Company Voluntary Arrangements in a presentation at the Retail Week Conference.