Fresh kicks: Fund manger builds stake in ailing Dr Martens July 30, 2023 An activist fund manager has reportedly been building a stake in struggling bootmaker Dr Martens. Sparta Capital has bought stock worth “tens of millions of pounds” in the London-listed footwear brand, according to reports by Sky News. It is said that Sparta is also engaging in talks with the board to help the brand as [...]
Sales of Covid tests have increased by a third in July, says Boots July 29, 2023 Sales of Covid tests have increased by a third this month, while official estimates of the number of people with the virus have also risen. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said its surveillance showed a slight increase in cases and hospital admissions, including those in intensive care, as of July 20. Its records show [...]
John Lewis revamps marketing approach as it tackles losses July 28, 2023 John Lewis has created a ‘customer planning team’ to make the most out of its marketing budget in stores and online, as it struggles with huge losses. The upmarket British retailer, famed for its annual tearjerker Christmas ad, has appointed Andreas Nicolaides to lead the new team from October. John Lewis, which owns Waitrose, said [...]
Unilever: Ben & Jerry’s maker appoints new chair as leadership shake-up continues July 28, 2023 Ben & Jerry’s maker Unilever has appointed a new chair as the shakeup of its top team continues. The British company, which makes everything from ice-cream and Hellmann’s to Wall’s, said Ian Meakins will join Unilever’s board on 1 September as its non-executive director and chair designate. He currently serves as the chair of British [...]
Cineworld suspends trading on London Stock Exchange as restructuring plans limp on July 28, 2023 Beleaguered Cinema chain Cineworld will suspend its listing on the London Stock Exchange today as it limps on with a restructuring plan to reduce its massive mountain of debt.
UK lost 6,000 store fronts due to covid and ‘crippling’ business rates July 28, 2023 Britain has lost 6,000 storefronts in five years amid Covid and cost-of-living pressures and “crippling” business rates, according to figures. The overall vacancy rate increased to 13.9 per cent across Britain in the second quarter of this year, a 0.1 percentage point drop on the first quarter but 0.1 points up on the same period [...]
McDonald’s revenue growth to moderate as menu prices ease July 27, 2023 McDonald’s said on Thursday that revenue growth was expected to moderate in the second half of the year as signs of easing inflation prompt the burger giant to temper menu prices. Shares of the company were, however, up 1.5 per cent in morning trading after the burger chain posted better-than-expected quarterly profit and sales as [...]
Westfield owner reports solid earnings as shopping centres show signs of recovery July 27, 2023 The owner of London’s Westfield shopping centres today reported a 1.6 per cent bump in earnings in the first half year, with net rental income across its property portfolio reaching €1.15bn (£989bn). Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which is headquartered in Paris, said EBITDA rose slightly by 1.6 per cent to €1.157bn (£993m). In its shopping centre division, which [...]
All Bar One owner toasts rising revenues as cost pressures start to ease July 27, 2023 Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) share price soared over five per cent this morning, as the pub and restaurant chain revealed a 9.7 per cent rise in revenues in the third quarter. The All Bar One owner was bolstered by a record breaking Fathers Day in June, with like-for-like sales in food and drink during the [...]
Nestle sales outlook brightens after strong first half July 27, 2023 Nestle improved its full-year organic sales outlook and reported better-than-expected first-half organic sales, as the world’s biggest packaged food company again raised prices to cope with higher input costs. Nestle said it is narrowing its full-year organic sales growth guidance – which does not include the impact of currency movements and acquisitions – to a [...]