All Series: City Insider articles – Page 15
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OpinionBeating the wet weather
The strengths of department store group Debenhams’ strategy shone through in last week’s update.
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OpinionShapland shapes up for Carpetright challenge
After only six weeks in the job, no one was expecting a miracle from new Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland in this week’s annual results – in fact the market was braced for bad news following a succession of profit warnings.
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OpinionDixons in good position for growth
Dixons’ full-year profits were down year on year but nevertheless came in at the top of expectations – which means the electricals retailer looks to be in a good position for growth.
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OpinionBoots’ Walgreens deal creates a retail giant
In selling a 45% stake in Alliance Boots to the US pharmacy giant Walgreens, owner Stefano Pessina has struck perhaps the most significant deal for a UK retailer since the Walmart acquisition of Asda and realised his own dreams of transforming the Boots brand.
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OpinionBoost for Argos as it stems decline
So used has the City become to dismal trading at Home Retail’s flagship Argos business that any sign of respite prompts jubilation.
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OpinionSainsbury’s wins the battle but war goes on
Tesco and Sainsbury’s reporting of quarterly results within days of each other adds to the image of two heavyweights going head to head in the arena.
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OpinionRetailers follow in Amazon’s footsteps
Supermarket group Sainsbury’s surprised on Tuesday, a day ahead of its quarterly update, with the acquisition of Anobii, an ebooks service and social network for book lovers.
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OpinionSale of Hammersmith Apollo puts HMV in a better place
An increasingly happy tune is being whistled at HMV which, to the surprise of some, looks better placed than it has done in years.
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OpinionAsos: The online giant continues to reward investors
As the recriminations continue following Facebook’s botched IPO, there is one online business that carries on rewarding investors – Asos.
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OpinionWhat impact will the recession have online?
So we’re in recession again. Cue further rending of garments and raise the wailing a semitone or two. The tune’s becoming familiar now.
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OpinionM&S is keeping pace, but it’s time to start setting it
There was a workmanlike feel to Marks & Spencer’s results this week.
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OpinionTesco boss Clarke declines bonus
Tesco boss Philip Clarke set a good example to other company chiefs when he declined to take his bonus in the wake of the Christmas profit warning.
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OpinionBoots’ success lies in keeping up with change
Alliance Boots’ double-digit growth in sales and trading profit is an achievement chairman and co-owner Stefano Pessina and his team will be proud of.
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OpinionValue sector facing a shake-out
So the UK is again in recession. GDP figures last month confirmed fears of a double dip and prompted speculation over the impact on consumer confidence.
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OpinionWill Bolland's initiatives shape up for M&S?
Next week brings the main opportunity to find out how Marc Bolland’s strategy at Marks & Spencer is progressing when the retail bellwether posts full-year results.
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OpinionSainsbury’s prepared for challenges ahead
Another solid performance from Justin King and his team at Sainsbury’s has added some much needed cheer to the turbulent UK grocery sector.
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OpinionHMV's fortunes are looking up
Entertainment group HMV’s shares were top of the pops last week as it flagged a likely return to profitability this financial year.
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OpinionNick Bubb's verdict: The demise of Clinton cards
High street retailers that are losing money and have a lot of debt need the support of their banks, their suppliers and their landlords to keep going.
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OpinionThreat of store closures for Argos
Home Retail’s troubling full-year figures and the appointment of strategy consultants OC&C by new Argos boss John Walden has put the spotlight on the future of the general merchandiser’s store portfolio.
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OpinionMultichannel boost for N Brown
Home shopping group N Brown’s full-year profits came in a little shy of some analysts’ expectations but all sorts of developments are under way which should position the retailer well for the future.