News And Announcements
WPP buys majority stake in France's Sensio
Advertising giant WPP has bought a majority stake in French digital agency Sensio through its wholly-owned marketing communications agency, Grey.
British Gas shells out £1.1m in compensation for missed appointments
British Gas has forked out £1. 1m to compensate some of its domestic and micro business customers after its agents missed or were late to appointments.
MediaZest completes AV displays for new Birmingham VW shop
MediaZest was engaged by Volkswagen UK for the first time, announced on Thursday, to provide audio-visual solutions for the carmaker’s new store at the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham.
Unilever profits step up amid post-Kraft strategy acceleration
First-half earnings from Unilever were stronger than expected and the consumer goods colossus increased its guidance for full year profit margins as the results of its new growth strategy come through rapidly.
Premier Foods Q1 sales drop as grocery weighs
Mr Kipling and Bisto owner Premier Foods reported a drop in first-quarter sales on Thursday as grocery sales declined.
Howden Joinery impresses despite shaved profits
Howden Joinery hoisted sales in the first half of the year but the retailer's profits were whittled down as it increased investment and pension costs.
Mothercare international sales hit by weakness in Middle East
Mothercare reported a rise in first-quarter UK sales, but the performance of its international business was less impressive, dented in particular by weakness in the Middle East.
SSE loses 230,000 customers in first quarter
SSE, one of the UK's 'big six' energy suppliers, lost another 230,000 customers in the first quarter as people voted with their feet in the wake of price rises and also warned of a fall in adjusted earnings per share (EPS).
Bodycote blows the trumpet of its new 'Powdermet' technology
Heat treatment and specialist thermal processing company Bodycote launched its ‘Powdermet’ technology product on Thursday, which it described as a group of additive manufacturing processes used in the production of “complex compounds”, using powder metallurgy.
Big Yellow occupancy improves further as it hunts for new London sites
Self storage provider Big Yellow Group said its 73 stores improved occupancy by 183,000 square feet in its first quarter, it said on Thursday, resulting in a closing occupancy of 82%.
Anglo American reports bumper first half numbers, although copper softens
Anglo American posted an 8% year-on-year increase in copper-equivalent production in its second quarter, it said on Thursday, with copper-equivalent production for the half year to 30 June up 9% over the same period in 2016.
ConvaTec expanding US business through Woodbury acquisition
Medical products and technologies company ConvaTec has agreed to acquire independent US-based national distributor of incontinence and catheter-related supplies Woodbury Holdings from MTS Health Investors, for an enterprise value of $120. 5m, it announced on Thursday.
Bunzl on acquisition trail again as it buys French, UK firms
International distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl said it has made a binding offer to buys a group of businesses in France and had also bought a marketing services business in the UK for undisclosed sums.
Zinc Media anticipates return to profits after restructuring
British-based producer of television programmes and multimedia content, Zinc Media returned to the black this year.