All articles by George MacDonald – Page 249
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News
Travis Perkins update sparks fears for DIY
Travis Perkins, the builders’ merchant that owns DIY chain Wickes, has warned that profits will be at the low end of expectations.
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News
Icelandic turmoil puts brakes on debt deal
The complexity of Iceland’s financial meltdown and its banks’ connections with Baugur are delaying a sale of the investment company’s debt.
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News
Banks' rescue stabilises markets but retail feels heat as shares dip
The Government administered emergency surgery on beleaguered banks but retailers remained under pressure as the share prices of grocers and general merchandisers alike fell over the week.
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News
City unease mounts as like-for-likes fall again
Retail like-for-likes slid in September for the sixth time in the past seven months, compounding City fears about the sector’s prospects as the traditional selling season nears.
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News
TNS: Tesco sales growth lags rivals'
Grocery giant Tesco delivered the worst performance among the big four grocers in the latest TNS four-week figures.
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News
Private equity firms vie with Sir Philip Green for control of Baugur
Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green faces competition from leading private equity groups for control of embattled Icelandic investor Baugur’s UK retail operations.
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Analysis
Argos: A born survivor
After launching in a recession 35 years ago, Argos is used to trading through tough times. George MacDonald asks boss Sara Weller how she plans to see it through today’s challenges.
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News
Clinton’s sales plummet
Sales have plunged at greetings card specialist Clinton Cards in recent weeks, reflecting the tough trading environment.
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News
Woolworths to sell nine store leases to Tesco
Variety store group Woolworths has struck an agreement to sell the leases on up to nine stores to Tesco for up to 9 million and will use the cash to reduce borrowings.
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News
Baugur insists 'business as usual' despite Icelandic meltdown
Icelandic investor Baugur has once again offered reassurance that its UK retail portfolio will be unaffected by the Icelandic financial crisis.
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News
Industry holds its own against backdrop of financial calamity
In the week that the FTSE 100 suffered its biggest ever one-day points fall and governments rushed to shore up a crumbling banking system, retailers weathered the storm to outperform the market.
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Opinion
George MacDonald: Marks & Spencer is not finished yet
It’s a measure of how hellish conditions have become that a 6.1 per cent like-for-like sales fall at Marks & Spencer was regarded as not too bad.
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News
Kaupthing taken over by Icelandic government
The Icelandic government has seized control of Kaupthing, the bank that is closely connected to swathes of the UK high street.
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News
Sainsbury's beats second-quarter sales expectations
Supermarket group Sainsbury’s has posted second-quarter sales ahead of expectations.
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News
EBay cuts jobs in tough trading climate
Pure-play online giant eBay is to axe 10 per cent of its workforce in an attempt to streamline the business.
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News
Icelandic economic turmoil stokes Baugur fears
Concern over the impact of Iceland’s financial crisis on Baugur’s retail interests in the UK has continued, despite the investor’s attempts to calm fears.
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News
General retailers bear brunt as financial market woe ricochets
Turmoil continued to engulf global financial markets and general retailers were again worse hit than the All Share index, despite some impressive updates.
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News
Icelandic saga is not over yet
Gory scenes tend to loom large in Icelandic sagas and the financial story unfolding there is proving no exception. The question is, will UK retail feature in one of its bloodier chapters?
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News
MFI to secure deals on rent holiday
Property giant Land Securities is understood to have provisionally agreed to allow embattled furniture retailer MFI a three-month rent holiday.
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News
Argos to recruit far fewer seasonal staff this Christmas
Catalogue store group Argos will recruit 15,000 temporary staff this Christmas – a 25 per cent drop on last year’s number.