News-In-Brief

Today’s news in brief-5/11/24

Primark’s profits surged by 51% to £1.1bn in FY24, as its parent company, Associated British Foods, credited a significant rise in profitability and returns amid ongoing investment efforts. Total group sales grew by 6% to £9.4bn, despite summer fashion sales being dampened by poor weather in H2. Notably, Primark reported…

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Today’s news in brief-4/11/24

Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa and partner Victoria Price have taken a substantial stake in the Manchester-based secondhand clothing platform GoThrift through their new investment fund, Boulder Investco. Established to support high-growth UK startups, Boulder Investco has also committed £10m to the Liverpool-based protein supplement company Applied Nutrition. Issa, a key…

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Today’s news in brief-1/11/24

Boohoo has appointed Debenhams CEO Dan Finley as its new chief executive, rejecting calls from Frasers Group owner Mike Ashley to assume the role. Finley, who has led Debenhams for two years and previously spent a decade at JD Sports, is praised by Boohoo’s board for his digital retail expertise…

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Today’s news in brief-31/10/24

The UK retail industry has raised concerns following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, which aims to generate £40bn through measures like a rise in employers’ National Insurance to 15% and hikes in minimum wage rates. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the new measures, which will add over…

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Today’s news in brief-30/10/24

Next is on track to surpass £1bn in profits for the first time, following a strong performance in autumn. The fashion retailer revised its full-year profit guidance from £995m to £1.005bn, citing a 7.6% increase in third-quarter full-price sales, exceeding its 5.0% projection. Colder autumn weather contrasted with last year’s…

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Today’s news in brief-29/10/24

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the chancellor to prioritise keeping prices low as shop price deflation reached 0.8% in October, marking its lowest rate since August 2021. Food inflation also eased, with fresh food and ambient food prices falling. BRC’s CEO Helen Dickinson stressed that although this trend…

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Today’s news in brief-28/10/24

Mike Ashley, founder of Frasers Group, has indicated readiness to step into the CEO role at Boohoo to initiate a turnaround strategy, following Frasers’ acquisition of a 27% stake in the fast fashion retailer. He criticised Boohoo’s management and recent refinancing, which he termed unsatisfactory for shareholders. Boohoo’s refinancing agreement…

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Today’s news in brief-25/10/24

Boohoo has countered Frasers Group’s claims of “stone-walling” regarding the latter’s push to install Mike Ashley as Boohoo’s CEO. In response to an open letter from Frasers, which accused Boohoo’s board of hindering its proposals and expressed dissatisfaction with Boohoo’s recent debt refinancing, Boohoo stated that Frasers’ preference for Ashley…

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Today’s news in brief-24/10/24

Frasers Group is pressuring Boohoo to appoint its founder Mike Ashley as CEO, criticising the current leadership’s handling of the business. In an open letter, Frasers, which holds a 27% stake in Boohoo, described the company’s recent performance as “abysmal,” following a 15% revenue decline to £620m for the six…

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Today’s news in brief-23/10/24

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering imposing higher taxes on Amazon as part of a broader effort to support British high streets, which have been struggling to compete with online giants. The proposed measures could come after her upcoming autumn budget, which is expected to introduce tax hikes and spending…

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