Independent Electrical Retailer - the leading trade magazine for the electrical industry
Magazine » Multiples
  • Investing for the future
    Tom Cole reviews recent events in the multiples sector and the prospects for 2010.
    Published:  20 January, 2010

    Though the Bank of England believes the economy is now 'bumping along the bottom' and the final quarter of 2009 should at last record a return to growth, for many businesses any such upturn will come too late.  The Local Data Company reports that one in ten retailers closed their doors in the first nine months of 2009. 

  • A mixed bag
    The latest round of trading updates provides a mixed picture, both of recent performance and opinions about the road ahead. Tom Cole reports.
    Published:  11 November, 2009

    Tesco in the six months to the end of August delivered a very strong non-food performance with double-digit like-for-like growth in electricals; its own brand Technika is now the fifth best-selling TV brand in the UK. Chairman Terry Leahy believes ‘we are past the low point, things are getting better, people feel their financial circumstances are under control'. He sees recovery as being ‘slow and steady'.

  • Investing for the future
    While consumers are rethinking their purchases during the recession, multiple retailers are transforming their stores. Tom Cole reports.
    Published:  17 July, 2009

    Consumer confidence is beginning to improve once more, albeit slowly, according to the latest Nationwide Index which interviewed one thousand people in May.  Whilst the vast majority remain gloomy about the current state of the economy, 28% of those questioned believe the situation will be better in six months' time than it is today.  But don't get too excited, a similar percentage says it will get even worse. 

  • Bonus Time
    Against the background of the general economic gloom, the John Lewis Partnership has celebrated - with equal bonuses for all employees - its relative trading success. Tom Cole reports.
    Published:  06 May, 2009

    Good news stories in retail are hard to find at the moment, so the relative success of John Lewis made headlines last month.  Group pre-tax profits in the year to January fell by 26%, but that was a resilient performance and so 69,000 staff received a bonus of 13% (down from twenty).

  • Negative territory
    Tom Cole reviews recent market casualties of the multiple sector.
    Published:  17 March, 2009

    Over the past month or so, Empire Direct, Miller Brothers and Dial-a-TV have each appointed administrators, thus joining the ever-lengthening list of recent casualties.  

Poll

What is you main concern at present?

  • trade credit availability
  • falling customer demand
  • rise in rent rates
  • burden of laws and regulations
  • competition from internet traders
  • fluctuating exchange rates

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