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B&Q parent firm's CEO sees pay slashed by almost £4m amid profit hit

2025-08-05 01:45:46

Thierry Garnier, the chief executive of Kingfisher, the group that owns B&Q and Screwfix, saw his pay cut by nearly £4m as the company's sales and profits suffered a significant blow in its latest financial year. Garnier received almost £2.3m for the 12 months ending 31 January, 2025, a decrease from the nearly £6m he earned the previous year, as reported by City AM. His pay package did not include the near-£4m 'delivering value incentive' bonus he was awarded the year before. However, his base salary rose from £875,500 to £911,900, and his annual bonus increased from £364,900 to £804,900. He also received £404,200 through a performance share plan. Last year, City AM reported that the bonuses of the CEO and CFO of B&Q's parent company were also reduced after Kingfisher's profit dropped by almost 40 per cent in its previous 12 months. The annual report follows a decline in sales for the parent company of B&Q and Screwfix for the year ending 31 January, 2025. Kingfisher reported a 1.5 per cent drop in sales to £12.78bn, largely due to a 6.2 per cent decrease in sales in France, while the UK and Poland remained stable. Operating profit at B&Q's parent company also fell 29.7 per cent to £407m, and its pre-tax profit was reduced by 35.4 per cent to £307m.

Entertainment

Notable film roles that actors regret accepting

2025-08-17 20:47:45

Even the most prominent celebrities experience their own set of regrets. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Several prominent figures in Hollywood have openly criticized certain characters they portrayed, despite the films receiving critical praise. Whether it’s taking on superhero personas, playing teenage heartthrobs, or being part of a beloved franchise, these actors have shared their feelings of remorse regarding their well-known roles. Browse through the gallery below to discover which celebrities have expressed regret over their iconic film roles.

Retail & Consumer

Retail sales fall as 'trade tensions' and 'autumn budget' hit high street

2025-08-22 10:24:54

Retail sales in the UK saw a decline in March, with expectations of further drops as low consumer confidence exacerbates a decade-long downturn in retail. According to the latest trading survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), sales volumes "markedly" fell in the year to March, as reported by City AM. This represents the steepest drop since July of last year and marks six consecutive months of decline, including five straight months of double-digit decreases. "Firms across the retail and wholesale sectors reported that global trade tensions and the Autumn Budget are weighing on consumer and business confidence, which is leading to reduced demand," said Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI. These disappointing results pose a challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who is set to present the Government's Spring Statement on March 26. Sartorius added: "Tomorrow's Spring Statement is likely to focus on the persistent challenges facing the UK economy, reinforcing the need for policies that boost businesses' confidence to invest." He suggested measures such as reforming business rates, backing the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, and adequately funding the Growth and Skills Levy could bolster business investment plans and propel the government's growth ambitions. The findings from the CBI align with a survey conducted by KPMG, which revealed that Britons plan to reduce spending on everyday items. The survey, which polled 3,000 consumers, also indicated an increasing number of people feeling financially insecure. Analysts at AJ Bell have pointed out the twelve-month low for FTSE350 retailers, citing concerns over weak consumer confidence and unfavourable weather conditions impacting revenue. They also noted that rising costs from national insurance contributions, wages, utilities, and raw materials could further erode profits. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) suggests that these recent challenges are exacerbating an issue that originated with the financial crisis in 2008.

Retail & Consumer

Wetherspoons' dividend hike despite profits fall as pub giant warns on costs

2025-08-21 05:49:28

Despite a boost in sales, pub behemoth J D Wetherspoon has reported a drop in profits in its half-year results. Chairman Tim Martin has issued a warning about the potential impact of escalating labour costs and tax disparities on the pub industry, as reported by City AM. Like-for-like sales saw an increase of 4.8 per cent for the 26 weeks leading up to 26 January 2025, with total revenue rising by 3.9 per cent to £1.03bn. However, profit before tax, excluding exceptional items, fell to £32.9m, a decrease from £36.0m the previous year. Operating profit also experienced a decline, coming in at £64.8m compared to £67.7m in 2024. Earnings per share before separately disclosed items increased to 21.5p, from 20.3p the year prior. The pub group reinstated its interim dividend, paying out 4.0p per share. Over the course of the year, the company acquired 1.8m shares at a cost of £11.5m, including "stamp duty and fees, representing an average cost per share of 621p." On a statutory basis, pre-tax profit jumped 58.2 per cent to £41.3m, driven by a one-off gain on interest rate swaps. Six pubs were sold during the period, generating £3.9m in cash, while two new locations opened. The group also recognised a £2.2m loss on the disposal of the pubs. Chairman Tim Martin commented on the results, stating that rising costs pose a threat to the sector's stability. "Increases in national insurance and labour rates will result in company cost increases of approximately £60m per annum," he said. He added that this equates to roughly £1,500 per pub, per week. Martin highlighted that labour accounts for approximately 35% of pub sales, in stark contrast to the mere 11% for supermarkets, which intensifies the disparity in costs. He expressed concern that the combination of rising staff expenses and elevated VAT rates for pubs, as opposed to supermarkets, "will weigh heavily on the pub industry." Despite these challenges, Martin remained optimistic about the company's prospects, stating they anticipate a "reasonable outcome for the financial year, subject to our future sales performance." Wetherspoon has been actively expanding its franchising operations, with plans to open five new locations in the latter half of the year. Currently, three franchised establishments are successfully running in university and holiday park settings. The firm has made significant capital investments totalling £64.6m during this period, allocating over £40m to refurbish existing pubs and enhance IT systems.

Retail & Consumer

Evoke shares plummet as William Hill owner's losses triple on restructuring costs

2025-08-06 07:10:52

Evoke shares plummeted by 17.3 per cent to 59.05p on Wednesday following the William Hill owner's announcement of an annual loss totalling £191.4m, a figure that significantly expanded from the previous year's figures, nearly tripling the loss reported for 2023 due to escalating restructuring and financial costs. Despite a revenue boost of three per cent reaching £1.75bn, and an uptick in adjusted EBITDA by four per cent, exceptional costs, particularly those linked to its withdrawal from the US customer market, pushed the group further into losses, as reported by City AM. The betting conglomerate cautioned that revenue growth for the first quarter would likely hover in the low single digits, not meeting its full-year goal of five to nine per cent. It pointed to strengthened responsible gambling regulations and diminished promotional impact as key reasons for this subdued increase. On a brighter note, Evoke has projected an adjusted EBITDA rise of £18-28m in the first fiscal quarter as a consequence of stringent cost control measures. Amidst adapting to regulatory cost inflations from employer national insurance and national living wage increases, Evoke disclosed plans to save an extra £25m for the current year as part of its strategic overhaul. Per Wilderström, the CEO, characterised 2024 as a "pivotal year" given the headway made in sustaining revenue growth against the backdrop of looming hurdles. He emphasized the necessity of honing new operational strategies and the reliance on a revitalized, dedicated leadership team to enact them, admitting: "We are under no illusions: this is a complete reset of this business." Despite the decline in share price, analysts at Peel Hunt pointed out that while first quarter revenue fell short of expectations, "EBITDA continues to make progress... comfortably on track of our FY25 forecast of £359m."

Entertainment

The top five most shocking guest controversies on Saturday Night Live as the show approaches its 50th anniversary.

2025-08-10 20:26:13

Saturday Night Live is marking its 50th anniversary with a special episode airing in February, along with a documentary set to premiere on Peacock. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Over the years, Saturday Night Live has encountered a number of controversies. A show couldn't be on air for 50 years and not have a few scandals. Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th year on the air this year. The beloved late night show always has a host and musical guest every episode, sometimes one person doing both. But while shows sometimes go smoothly, every once in a while, a weekly guest doesn't stick to the script. The show is always shot live, which can sometimes work against the cast and crew. Here's a few of the guests over the years that caused a few eyebrows to raise. Ashlee Simpson's lip-syncing incident View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Ashlee Simpson expressed her desire to avoid performing with pre-recorded vocals. During the peak of her fame, Ashlee Simpson appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 2004. She performed her popular track, Pieces of Me, earlier in the evening without any issues. However, when she stepped onto the stage for her second performance of "Autobiography," it became apparent that she was lip-syncing, as the track from her earlier song began to play. Caught off guard, Ashlee momentarily panicked, danced a bit, and then quickly exited the stage. The incident has gained widespread attention, as Ashlee revealed last year that she relied on pre-recorded vocals due to illness. Despite her objections, her record label urged her to go through with the performance. Ashlee remembered feeling anxious, saying, "My band hasn’t rehearsed this, this isn’t going to turn out well, I can’t handle this." Martin Lawrence 'prohibited' View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Locating the complete monologue can be quite challenging. In 1994, comedian Martin Lawrence made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live as the host, delivering a monologue that veered completely off script during the live broadcast. The complete monologue was removed from online platforms, leaving only a handful of clips accessible. In the contentious segment, Martin made inappropriate remarks regarding the scent of women's private areas, resulting in more than 200 complaints. This uproar prompted sponsors of the show to voice their objections, ultimately resulting in Martin's ban from the program. Adrian Brody's poor imitation View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Adrian mentioned that he was never asked to return to SNL. In 2003, Adrian Brody deviated from the script by performing a Jamaican impression just before he introduced the Jamaican artist Sean Paul. The star of The Pianist surprised both the audience at home and the cast behind the scenes by wearing a dreadlock wig and adopting an unusual accent. There were whispers that this incident led to Adrian being banned from the late-night show; however, the actor recently clarified that he was never informed of any ban, although he has not received an invitation to return since then. Sinead O'Connor speaks out against the Pope. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Sinead O'Connor voiced her dissent against the Catholic Church. One of the most notorious incidents in Saturday Night Live history occurred when Sinead O'Connor staged a protest against the Catholic Church regarding its handling of child sexual abuse, an issue that Pope John Paul II had not addressed at that point. Following her a cappella rendition of Bob Marley's song "War," the late artist displayed a picture of the pope and tore it apart, stating directly to the camera: "Fight the real enemy." The audience expressed their strong disapproval, even booing Sinead during a tribute concert for Bob Dylan just two weeks later. In her 2021 memoir, Rememberings, she revealed that she had no regrets regarding her protest. "People crave a pop star, don't they?" she penned. "But I'm a protest singer. I had things weighing on my mind that needed to be expressed. Fame was never my goal." Kanye West's stance on political issues View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Kanye expressed his backing for Donald Trump. This controversial incident never aired. In 2018, during Donald Trump's initial term as president, Kanye West appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Following his performance of the song Ghost Town, the rapper put on a red Make America Great Again hat and delivered a speech in support of Trump, which was met with boos from the audience. Chris Redd, who was an SNL cast member at the time, later shared with the Daily Beast that he had anticipated the moment, noting that Kanye had pulled a similar move during the dress rehearsal. “Even with the music still going, folks were just chilling and enjoying the moment,” Chris recalled. “But I was focused on what he was saying, thinking to myself, ‘Man, he’s about to drop some nonsense.’ I wasn’t about to get caught up in that on stage. I refuse to support it. I’ve admired Kanye for as long as I can remember, and I really miss the old Kanye.” Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and receive the latest headlines directly in your inbox! DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.

Entertainment

Wendy Williams Criticizes Guardianship, Insists She’s Not Cognitively Impaired: ‘Do I Appear That Way?’

2025-08-20 00:07:02

In her first interview in years, the former talk show host accused her court-appointed guardian of wanting her to do the controversial Lifetime doc, Where Is Wendy Williams? Jump to the main section Most Liked Neil Gaiman Accusations: Several Women Claim 'Sandman' Creator Engaged in Sexual Misconduct Are Jennifer Lopez & Kevin Costner Dating? Their Pals Allegedly Weighed In on Their Romance 'Among the Most Significant Art Losses in History': Insurers Begin Evaluating Damage from LA Wildfires Kanye West Shares and Quickly Removes Provocative Photo of Wife in Incredibly Small Swimsuit

Retail & Consumer

Unilever snaps up eco-friendly deodorant brand as it seeks to boost beauty business

2025-08-01 06:44:06

Unilever has officially announced its acquisition of refillable deodorant brand Wild, as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the premium beauty and self-care market. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is estimated that the deal values Wild at £230m, as reported by City AM. Wild was launched in 2019 by business partners Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward and experienced significant growth during the Covid-19 pandemic, achieving its first profitable year in 2023. "Joining Unilever marks an exciting new chapter for Wild," said co-founder Charlie Bowes-Lyon. He added: "Our mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom with desirable, innovative personal care products will be hugely strengthened by leveraging Unilever's expertise, scale and reach to further grow the brand and bring our vision to more consumers." Bowes-Lyon told The Times that he hopes Unilever can assist Wild in moving some production, particularly its aluminium casings, from China to Unilever-owned factories in America. The purchase of Wild aligns with Unilever's Growth Action Plan 2030, which aims to optimise its portfolio towards "premium and high growth spaces," according to the company. In March, new CEO Fernando Fernandez identified approximately €1bn (£840m) worth of brands in its Foods Europe division that "don't fit well" with the company's portfolio. "[Wild is] a perfect complement to our Personal Care portfolio," stated Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever Personal Care. Wild has primarily utilised digital advertising channels such as Instagram and TikTok to market its products. However, the news of Wild's acquisition has elicited mixed reactions from creators on these platforms. For instance, some Instagram creators have begun suggesting alternatives to Wild for consumers who prefer supporting smaller-scale brands. There are also apprehensions that Wild's environmental credentials may diminish, with many citing Unilever's history of plastic production. Dove, one of Unilever's brands, was criticised by Greenpeace last year for its use of plastic sachets, leading activists to blockade the entrance to Unilever's headquarters on 5th September.

Entertainment

Gemma Collins reveals her transformed appearance following her weight loss confession.

2025-08-30 01:39:01

Reality television personality Gemma Collins showcased a fresh hairstyle today, having recently lost two dress sizes, prompting fans to enthusiastically commend her stunning transformation. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Gemma showcased a striking transformation as she revealed her revamped appearance. Gemma Collins flaunted her stunning new appearance today after shedding two dress sizes. The ex-star of Only Way Is Essex wowed her followers with her fresh appearance. Gemma, who recently disclosed that she has lost two dress sizes, took to social media to showcase her slimmer figure along with a stylish new haircut. Fans applauded Gemma for her fresh appearance, noting that it made her appear "years" younger, with some even comparing her to Marilyn Monroe. In her post, she added: "Your life is a narrative of transformation!" A fan commented: "Honestly, you look incredible - I adore the natural hair! It may take some time to adjust, but it really takes years off your appearance," while another chimed in: "That haircut makes you look so much younger!" A third person wrote: "Life is a series of chapters, and the goal is to make each one meaningful while being the best version of yourself. Loving the hair, it has a Monroe vibe with a unique twist that’s all your own." View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Gemma has consistently shared her experiences regarding her weight throughout the years. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Gemma now feels liberated after losing two dress sizes. "A fourth commenter expressed, 'Beautiful, it looks so much better x,' while a fifth chimed in: 'I had to do a double-take!!! Simply stunning (as always) xx.' Meanwhile, a sixth person noted: 'I'm in love with this, the quote and your fabulous new hair! Just perfect.'" Gemma had earlier disclosed that she was undergoing weight loss injections to assist her in shedding pounds. "I am about to experience true freedom. At last, I can embrace my best life and escape the constant upset, stress, and chaos that accompany the struggle to shed those extra pounds," she expressed in a video while proudly displaying her transformation. A source revealed to OK! magazine: "Gemma has experimented with nearly every diet out there, but none have truly been effective for her. However, she has consistently expressed her desire to prioritize her health. It's not solely about her appearance; it's about striving for optimal health and boosting her confidence. She has put in the effort to educate herself and is working with knowledgeable individuals to ensure she's on the right track. While she remains a strong advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance, her goal is to achieve better health as well." Gemma revealed that she endured years of "bullying and torment" because of her weight, but she now feels liberated at last. "I can't express how relieved I am; it's as if a huge burden has been removed from my life since I discovered something that truly helps me. The challenges are genuine. If you've ever been overweight, you understand the difficulties, the setbacks, and the experiences that come with it," she shared.

Retail & Consumer

JD Sports faces share price downgrade amid Nike stock challenges

2025-08-17 08:22:59

Ahead of JD Sports' full-year results next month, London broker Peel Hunt has revised its forecast for the company due to short-term industry challenges. Peel Hunt has reduced its projected pre-tax profit and earnings per share for JD Sports by three per cent for the 2026 financial year, as reported by City AM. The downgrade is attributed to an excess of Nike stock, which "is likely to persist deep into JD's [next financial year]." JD's American revenue heavily relies on Nike footwear, but demand for the brand has waned over the past year. Shares in Nike fell to a five-year low last week after it reported a larger-than-anticipated drop in fourth-quarter revenue – marking its fourth consecutive quarter of declining sales. Nike has been grappling with a post-pandemic shift away from athleisure, as well as competition from emerging trainer brands Hoka and On. This has resulted in a significant surplus of 'Classic' footwear franchises: Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, and Dunk. "Simply put, there is an awful lot of stock left to shift, and consequently, the whole industry margin structure is impacted," said analysts at Peel Hunt. "JD will not participate in heavy discounting, so while its gross margin should be robust, it is likely its Nike sales will suffer," they added. Since last September, JD Sports' share price has been on a consistent decline. Its value has dropped 52 per cent since mid-September. Currently, it stands at 72.4p, giving the retailer a market cap of £4.1bn. JD Sports continues to be a leading choice in the sector, according to Peel Hunt. The firm also highlighted that the decline in Nike product sales is unlikely to be offset by other goods due to low consumer confidence and spending. This has led to a general retreat from retail stocks, with many major brands suffering this year. High street sales growth has been notably weak post-pandemic and has yet to recover, which is particularly challenging for JD as its stores usually outperform its online channel. Earlier this year, the Pentland-owned company warned that profits would be lower than anticipated due to a "challenging and volatile market." However, despite the near-term challenges, the broker stated that JD Sports remains one of the top players in the footwear market. "In our view, JD will come out of these difficult industry times in a stronger position. It remains the big brands' partner of choice and continues to innovate both in-store and online."

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Wendy Williams Criticizes Guardianship, Insists She’s Not Cognitively Impaired: ‘Do I Appear That Way?’

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