
Alec Mattinson
Alec leads The Grocer’s expanding coverage of all things finance-related. Follow Alec on Twitter: @AlecMattinson
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610512
- Email:
- alec.mattinson@thegrocer.co.uk
- News
City snapshot: B&M hikes profits expectations after strong lockdown sales
The owner of B&M Bargains has hiked its full year profit expectations after sales continued to boom during the second lockdown period this year. Plus, Marston’s asks bondholders to relax financial covenants, Wynnstay acquisitions, Supermarket Income REIT raises more cash to buy supermarkets and all the rest of the latest news from the City
- News
Orchard House brings in former Premier Foods boss Gavin Darby
The fruit and juice supplier has bought in Gavin Darby following its acquisition by private equity investor Elaghmore
- News
Media Bites 3 March: Budget/Furlough, Grocery share, Virgin Wines
Rishi Sunak will announce on Wednesday that the Treasury is extending its furlough scheme until the end of September in an attempt to safeguard jobs as a fragile economy emerges from the Covid-19 emergency
- News
Emmanuel Faber agrees to step down as Danone CEO
French dairy giant agrees to split chairman and CEO role, meaning it will search for a new chief exec following shareholder pressure
- News
City snapshot: Grocery sales growth hits eight month high in February
Grocery industry sales growth accelerated to its highest level since June 2020 during February as the latest national restrictions curtailed spending in cafés, restaurants and pubs. Plus trading updates from Hotel Chocolat, HelloFresh and Virgin Wines starts trading on the stock exchange.
- News
Media Bites 1 March: High Street/Budget, John Lewis/Waitrose, Danone
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a £5bn grant scheme to help High Street businesses hit hardest by the pandemic
- News
City News: Investors wary despite record growth for Reckitt Benckiser
Consumer health giant Reckitt Benckiser posted the highest annual revenue growth in its history this week, but its share price failed to respond
- News
City Snapshot: Ontario Teachers explores £360m Burton’s Biscuits sale
Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels maker Burton’s Biscuits is being put up for sale. Plus, Pets at Home raises profit forecast and all the rest of the latest news from the City.
- News
Media Bites 26 Feb: Asda, DS Smith/Mondi, ABF/Primark
About 5,000 jobs are at risk at Asda after the supermarket group launched a big restructuring in response to the rapid rise of online shopping
- News
City Snapshot: Primark drags back grocery and sugar progress at ABF
Associated British Foods said its grocery, sugar and agriculture businesses will be “materially ahead of expectations” for its first half, but Primark’s coronavirus-drive weakness will reduce overall sales and profits. Elsewhere, Biffa buys food waste retailer Company Shop, Virgin Wines reveals £110m listing details and AB InBev grows fourth quarter sales.
- News
Media Bites 24 Feb: Oatly, SimplyCook, Exports
Swedish non-dairy milk maker Oatly is set to go public with a New York listing that could value it at up to $10bn
- News
Greencore commits to fully recyclable packaging by 2025
Sandwich giant Greencore will commit to producing only recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025 as part of a wider sustainability drive presented to investors and analysts later today.
- News
City Snapshot: McBride boosted by cleaning products demand spike
Household goods manufacturer McBride has seen an uplift in sales and profits in the second half of the year as the coronavirus outbreak continues to boost the sale of cleaning products
- News
Huel sees surge in growth as home delivery booms
Huel said growth was helped by new flavour launches and the rollout of an improved recipe
- News
Media Bites 22 Feb: Caffè Nero, John Lewis Partnership, Business rates
The billionaire owners of Asda are trying to launch an audacious raid on Caffè Nero by buying part of its £350m debt pile
- News
Nestlé posts strongest growth numbers in five years
Petcare was the group’s standout performer, with its premium brands Purina Pro Plan, Purina One and Felix driving the category to organic growth
- Analysis & Features
What Virgin Wines £100m public listing tells us
Private interest in Virgin Wines was thought to be strong, but the group is going public instead
- News
City snapshot: Danone plans ‘year of recovery’ after 2020 sales drop
Danone has guided towards a ‘year of recovery’ in 2021, while it has acquired US-based vegan dairy player Earth Island. Plus, UK retail sales slump in January and all the rest of the latest news from the City.
- News
Media Bites 19 Feb: Asda/Walmart, Nestlé, Business rates
The new owners of Asda have been urged to overhaul the supermarket’s strategy after its performance over the Christmas period lagged behind its rivals
- News
City Snapshot: Booming petcare sales help Nestlé increase 2020 revenues
Global foods giant Nestlé has posted an uptick on organic sales growth during the coronavirus period, helped by strong growth in its petcare, dairy and coffee businesses. Plus, Premier Foods pays down more debt, Carrefour posts ‘record’ year and more.