Archive: November 2016

A few thoughts on business models and alternative use of space

Structural change in Retail – long clicks, short bricks… Boohoo and Asos’ share prices speak for themselves but traditional retail has had a much tougher ride of late. The department store sector is shrinking and the only winner is John Lewis. When a newer, fresher rival is taking share in a contracting market, that spells…

M&B’s tone points to tricky 2017; a tough year might hit some harder than others…

The factors driving capacity: cheap cash and new ways of raising it… Low interest rates have allowed casual dining concepts to flourish. Crowdfunding has also provided an avenue of funding for operators. This has resulted in growth for growth’s sake and the saturation of the restaurant market. Several operators have built substantial estates in as…

60 Seconds on Rising Interest Rates, Inflation, etc.

Inflation is coming – who stands to lose out? Interest rates have been kept at 0.5% since January 2009 (even falling as low as 0.25%), distorting the markets Crowdfunding has also played its part wrt excess funding; AltFi research shows that of the 751 companies that have crowdfunded on the UK’s largest platforms, some 88…

London hotels pants in October…

The facts as we know them: STR has released preliminary data for London hotels in October It says an increase in supply (+2.9%) met a decrease in demand (down 1.2%) This led to a 4.0% decrease in occupancy Rate fell by 7.7% and REVPAR was some 11.4% lower Comps are tough, the Rugby was on…

Rising Costs & Maintaining Margins…

Inflation in the offing… It would be surprising if Sterling’s collapse didn’t lead to rising input costs Companies must pass rises on or see their margins fall Marmite, Walkers & Toblerone have been in the spotlight Others must follow – but consumer groups will be vigilant Where will the rises stop? Consumers will face higher…

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