Debenhams pressure mounts amid Sports Direct comments March 18, 2019 The war of words between Debenhams and retail tycoon Mike Ashley escalated once again this morning after Sports Direct’s finance chief confirmed City speculation that it would look to buy the department store chain if it collapsed into administration. Sports Direct’s finance chief Chris Wootton, who could potentially become Sports Direct boss if Ashley takes [...]
Morrisons keeps income investors happy March 18, 2019 | City Talk By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. After flagging another special dividend with annual results, there are opportunities for this grocer. In an eventful and turbulent period for the grocery sector, Morrisons (LSE:MRW) continues to hold its own after unveiling further robust profits growth and another special divi for investors. Today’s full-year results, despite drifting back [...]
Moss Bros shares jump with Joules boss Colin Porter to take on role as chairman March 18, 2019 Men’s tailoring giant Moss Bros is set to draft in the chief executive of fashion group Joules as its new chairman, with the group looking to regain City confidence after last year’s lull in summer sales dented investor sentiment. Shares in the formal menswear specialist, which has over 120 shops in the UK, climbed five [...]
Half a million packets returned since launch of Walkers recycling scheme March 18, 2019 Walkers revealed today that more than half a million packets of crisps have been collected since it launched a recycling scheme in the wake of mounting public pressure late last year. Over 8,500 collection points for recycling Walkers crisp packets have been established since December, when the group began a new green initiative. The firm’s [...]
Travelodge eyes expansion with 100 new hotels as turnaround delivers higher sales March 18, 2019 One of the UK’s largest budget hotel groups hailed its own turnaround plan this morning after posting a rise in revenues and plans for 100 new site openings seven years after being on the brink of collapse. Travelodge, which has lured more customers into its value hotels amid an economic slowdown, posted sales of £693m [...]
Domino’s Pizza hits back at reports it misled the City over franchisee row March 18, 2019 Domino’s Pizza published a statement today hitting back at allegations that it had misled the City over the state of its relationship with its franchisees. Domino’s said it “strongly refutes the reported allegations” and said it “has been clear and transparent that it has been in commercial discussions with franchisees, which are continuing.” The Sunday [...]
JD Sports buys Footasylum in £90m deal weeks after saying it would not bid for the firm March 18, 2019 JD Sports will buy footwear retailer Footasylum for £90m, the companies announced this morning a month after JD increased its stake to 19 per cent. The 82.5p per share offer values Footasylum at a considerable mark-up to its 46.5p closing price on Friday. Shreas soared 75 per cent to 81.5p this morning. Read more: Footasylum shares [...]
Labour MP Tom Watson calls McDonald’s prize promotion ‘grotesque’ March 17, 2019 A McDonald’s promotion has been criticised by a Labour MP as a “danger to public health” for encouraging customers to buy more fast food to try to win prizes such as burgers, milkshakes and fries. Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson called the Monopoly promotion at McDonald’s, which begins again on Wednesday, a “grotesque marketing strategy” and [...]
Domino’s Pizza franchisees demand meeting with top boss over profit structure March 17, 2019 Domino's Pizza store owners have upped their onslaught against the food chain's top UK executives, alleging an ongoing row between the two sides is far from over. The Domino's Franchisee Association wrote to the FTSE 250 group last week to warn that suggestions of a resolution in the near future were "extremely misleading", according to the [...]
Junk food ads set to be banned on TV and online before 9pm watershed in government crackdown March 17, 2019 Junk food advertisements could be banned from appearing on TV and online before 9pm, as the government today launched a consultation on measures to tackle the UK's growing obesity rate. Currently, ads for foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar are forbidden during broadcasts of TV programmes specifically aimed at children. The consultation by [...]