All articles by George MacDonald – Page 252
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News
Tesco withdraws site from eco-towns project
Tesco has pulled one of its developments from the Government’s “eco-towns” scheme, which has dealt a blow to the flagship environmental programme.
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News
Bid speculation nudges share prices up in short trading week
General retailers climbed over the week, partly buoyed by bid speculation about Woolworths and JJB Sports (see The City View below), but the grocers’ share price rise was more muted as the market digested last week’s data.
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News
Carphone poised to fall out of FTSE 100
Carphone Warehouse faces the prospect of eviction from the FTSE 100 next month, taking retail’s representation in the blue chip index to its lowest level within memory.
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Opinion
What hope for Christmas?
The dog days of August are almost over. Store chiefs and analysts are back from Monaco and Mustique (or Margate, for those whose options are under water). And the countdown has begun to the year’s biggest retail blowout: Christmas.
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News
Q2 wipeout bodes ill for shopper spending
Fears of recession have grown after UK economic growth collapsed in the second quarter.
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News
Russia still on West’s retail map despite political chill
International retailers are likely to push on with expansion in Russia despite a return to icy relations between the Kremlin and the West.
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News
Worst retail figures in 25 years, CBI reports
Wet weather and difficult trading conditions have resulted in the worst retail performance for 25 years.
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News
Concerns raised over Woolworths covenants
Variety store group Woolworths is likely to stretch its banking covenants to the limit and fail to pay a dividend for the next two years, an analyst has warned after a company visit.
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News
Ahold margins hit by promotions
International retailer Ahold has taken a margin hit and missed analysts’ forecasts after spending heavily on price promotions during its second quarter.
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News
Superquinn up for sale
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda are all reportedly interested in buying Superquinn, the Irish grocer that has retained Goldman Sachs to advise on a sale.
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News
Blacks adds to board with ex-Hobbs chief
Nick Samuel, former chief executive of fashion retailer Hobbs, has joined the board of Blacks Leisure as a non-executive director.
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News
Gap profits revive but sales fall again
Fashion giant Gap has reported a surge in second quarter profits despite a fall in sales.
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News
Sharp fears over M&S branded foods trial
Marks & Spencer launched its high-profile trial of branded foods despite misgivings on the part of executive director Steven Sharp, it has been claimed.
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News
Abrupt end to respite as sector share prices take turn for worse
After the party, the hangover. Retail’s rally proved short-lived and once again the sector headed south as food groups and general retailers alike underperformed the market.
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Opinion
Even food can lose its flavour
In tough times, investors seek refuge in defensive stocks. In retail that usually means food, but how safe a bet are the big grocers?
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News
Woolies chairman willing to discuss Baugur deal
Woolworths chairman Richard North is open to discussions about selling the variety store group to Icelandic investor Baugur and entrepreneur Malcolm Walker.
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News
Homebase store jobs in jeopardy
Hundreds of store jobs are at risk at Homebase, the DIY chain owned by Home Retail Group.
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News
Grocers fire new salvo in price war
The latest offensive in the grocery price war is being fought out this weekend, as leading supermarkets slash prices of key lines once again.
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News
M&S Sale to start next week
Marks & Spencer will go on Sale next week, when the retailer hopes bargain-hungry shoppers will flock to its stores following a difficult trading period.
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Opinion
Woolies’ wonder can be restored
If Woolworths didn’t exist, would you invent it? If it wasn’t on the high street, would you miss it? Those questions have become clichés. Equally clichéd is the answer so commonly given – no.