Mike Ashley
This coverage examines Mike Ashley’s activities and influence within the UK retail sector, including his leadership roles, acquisitions, strategic decisions, and impact on companies such as Sports Direct and Frasers Group. Reporting provides retail managers and executives with insights into his business approach and its implications for the wider industry.
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Mar- 2020 -11 MarchHigh Street
Debenhams CVA now free from legal challenges
Embattled department store chain Debenhams has announced that its CVA proposals will be upheld, as the time period for any appeal to be lodged has now expired. The company confirmed that all relevant procedural matters dealt with at the CVA challenge hearing in February have been concluded “in its favour”.…
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Feb- 2020 -19 FebruaryHigh Street
Sports Direct ‘partially allowed’ to withhold private documents from FRC
The Court of Appeal has ruled to partially allow Sports Direct’s appeal to overturn a High Court ruling from 2018 which ordered it to submit 40 company documents to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). It comes after the FRC attempted to gain access to the documents in relation to its…
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14 FebruaryHigh Street
Frasers Group backs BRC’s calls for government review of business taxes
Frasers Group has backed the campaign by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and 52 other retailers calling for the government to take urgent action on business rates. In a letter to now former chancellor Sajid Javid, which was signed by retailers including Debenhams, Harrods, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Primark…
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6 FebruaryDepartment Stores
PETA buys Frasers Group stake amid anti-fur protests
PETA US has become a shareholder in Frasers Group, the animal rights group has announced. The move is in response to House of Fraser reportedly reversing its pledge to not to sell any fur products. The animal rights activists said that by breaking its previous pledge, the retail group was…
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4 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Frasers Group acquires stake in Mulberry
Frasers Group has bought a 12.5% stake in luxury fashion brand Mulberry. The Mike Ashley-owned group said the move was a “key strategic priority”, and follows on from previous acquisitions of premium brands. Last November, the former Sports Direct International group rebranded as Frasers Group as part of a “multi-channel…
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Jan- 2020 -30 JanuaryHigh Street
Sports Direct battles order to hand ‘private’ documents to FRC
Sportswear retailer Sports Direct is fighting an order to hand over “private” documents to the UK’s accounting watchdog. According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), the retailer is attempting to overturn a High Court ruling from 2018 which ordered it to submit 40 company documents to the Financial…
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30 January
Frasers Group settles Belgian tax dispute
Frasers Group has announced it is in the clear with Belgian authorities over an outstanding tax bill that equated to £571m. Belgian authorities had been looking into a number of matters with the group, including ‘Matter 1’, which accounted for 73% of the total £571m owed. In its latest update,…
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16 JanuaryAnalysis
How in-store experiences will shape gaming retail in 2020 and beyond
A little over a year ago the Entertainment Retailer Association (ERA) announced that the gaming market accounted for more than half of the entire UK entertainment sector at more than £3.8bn, making it bigger than video and music combined. The top games released that year included FIFA 2019, Red Dead…
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Dec- 2019 -19 DecemberHigh Street
Debenhams landlord challenges High Court CVA decision
A Debenhams landlord has decided to appeal against a recent High Court ruling which paved the way for the embattled retailer’s CVA to go ahead. According to a report by the Telegraph, the Salford-based landlord is hoping to “overthrow” the legal win from two months ago. In September, the High…
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17 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Mike Ashley warns of more House of Fraser closures
Despite experiencing the first “green shoots of recovery” further House of Fraser store closures are to be expected, Mike Ashley has warned. Commenting on the company’s latest half-year results, Ashley said Sports Direct is doing “as much as we can” to save as many jobs and stores as possible however…
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