Financial Times FT.com

Resources

Principal content

Reckitt builds up cash as profits jump

Strong cash generation helps the consumer products maker swing from net debt of £1.1bn to net cash of £220m, but the chief executive says major industry consolidation is unlikely

Kraft to close Cadbury factory

The US food group confirms plans to shut Cadbury’s Somerdale factory near Bristol in spite of pledges to keep the plant in operation

Video game sector seeks way out of inferno

Apple’s iPad console, as well as motion-sensing controllers for existing ones from Microsoft and Sony, and a strong line-up of games could provide salvation for the video game industry

Lotte expands its retail empire

South Korean group puts pressure on rivals including Britain’s Tesco by expanding its retail empire, purchasing department and discount stores from local rival GS Retail

Coke gets lift from emerging markets

Coca-Cola earned $1.54bn in the fourth quarter, up 55%, paced by strong revenues outside North America, particularly in Eurasia and Africa, and matching expectations

Increase in retail CVAs expected

A fresh wave of company voluntary agreements from retailers is anticipated in coming months as the lagged impact of the recession takes effect, KPMG warns

Mothercare to supply clothing to Boots

Children’s wear range will be available exclusively in Boots from the autumn and will allow Mothercare to boost high-street sales as it goes out-of-town

Tui Travel bullish on summer bookings

The tour operator said that second-quarter profitability had been significantly better than in the first quarter, in which it incurred a pre-tax loss of £166m

Halfords considers bid to acquire HobbyCraft

David Wild, chief executive of Halfords, is considering a bid for HobbyCraft, the privately owned retailer

Ethel Austin back in administration

Value clothing chain Ethel Austin has gone into administration for the second time in two years,

Related content and features

LEX

Coca-Cola fizzes

Coca-Cola

The soft drink maker has been hawking its black fizzy concoction for more than 100 years, but it is still finding ways to reach more consumer throats

Luxury goods

Lex

Like twinkling diamonds, recent figures from the industry have provided little points of light in the growing markets gloom

IN DEPTH

Kraft - Cadbury

Cadbury

The UK confectioner’s 186 years of independence has ended after a majority of its shareholders accepted the US group’s £11.7bn takeover offer

Track this Topic

News alerts

Email - create a keyword alert on the subject of this topic

Email summaries

Email - start your day with daily email briefing on this topic

RSS feeds

RSS - Track this news topic using our feeds