Latest finance news – Page 550
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NewsProfits to climb at Debenhams
Department store group Debenhams expects profits to rise strongly this year after a product mix shift lifted margins.
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NewsPrimark sales up after strong performance in Europe
Value fashion giant Primark has continued to perform well over 2010 driven by a “very stong” performance in continental Europe.
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NewsLaura Ashley first half profits surge
Furniture and fashion retailer Laura Ashley experienced a surge in pretax profits excluding exceptionals from £100,000 to £5.7m in the 26 weeks to July 31.
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NewsOcado poised to relaunch its own-label as Q3 sales rocket
Ocado is set to relaunch its own-label range after posting strong sales in its third quarter.
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NewsDixons scores big with World Cup TV sales
Electricals group Dixons Retail, owner of the Currys aand PC World chains, declared itself the winner of the TV retail World Cup after the tournament helped lift sales.
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NewsEncouraging signs for general retailers
General retailers were up again over the week, outpacing their food peers and just about keeping pace with the All-Share Index. They are still down over the year, though.
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NewsCountrywide pushes profits up by a third
Rural retailer Countrywide has posted record profits, helped by strong sales of clothing and footwear, improved retailing and new store openings.
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NewsSports Direct impresses as profits and sales soar
Sports Direct delivered strong profits in its first quarter helped by a good performance during the World Cup, despite the very disappointing showing from the England team.
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NewsStrong profits predicted for Next
Broker UBS retained its buy stance on Next ahead of interim results expected next week.
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NewsArgos performance dents Home Retail profits
Argos owner Home Retail Group expects full-year profits to come in at the low end of expectations after suffering a second quarter sales fall at flagship chain Argos.
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NewsWorld Cup hits sales at HMV
Entertainment group HMV suffered a 14.9% like-for-like sales plunge at its eponymous UK business as the World Cup hit performance.
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NewsMorrisons unveils convenience and online ambitions
Supermarket group Morrisons is to test convenience stores next year and is investigating whether also to begin trading online.
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NewsShareholders approve Dixons name change
DSG International will revert to being called Dixons Retail after shareholders approved the plans at the electricals group’s AGM today.
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NewsFood inflation hits one-year high
Food inflation in August hit 3.8%, its highest level for a year, according to the BRC.
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NewsStrong first quarter for Sports Direct
Sports Direct had a strong first quarter despite a poor performance from the England team in the football World Cup with sales up 8.8% to £408m in the 13 weeks to July 25.
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NewsPromotions at a high as Co-op profits rise
About 40% of products on Co-operative Group’s food stores are on promotion at present - the highest level in recent times.
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NewsOcado shares up by 5% ahead of update
General store stocks improved compared with their recent weak showing but the sector remains well down over the year in comparison with food groups and the All-Share index.
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NewsSound results predicted at Debenhams
Debenhams is expected to deliver a robust performance when it updates the City with its pre-close interim management statement on September 14.
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NewsHome Retail and Game expected FTSE casualties
Home Retail Group and Game are likely to lose status next week when the FTSE index undergoes one of its regular recalculations.
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NewsSignet delivers strong second-quarter results
Anglo-American jeweller Signet, owner of chains including H Samuel, reported a better than expected performance in its second quarter despite the “challenging” consumer environment.