Latest news with #BrentCross
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Big shake-up to trolleys at two major supermarket chains and it will make them easier to steer
DOING a big grocery shop could soon be easier due to new American-style plastic shopping trolleys being trialled at two supermarket chains. The new designs are said to be lighter and easier to steer, without any noisy clanking sounds. 8 8 Tesco's trial at its Sheffield Infirmary Superstore involves hybrid trolleys, comprising a metal chassis with a plastic basket. Waitrose's all plastic ones are at its Brent Cross store. The new additions are similar to those used in big American chains like Target, with its iconic bright red carts. It's not known whether they'll be rolled out more widely, but it's understood feedback is being taken from customers. Hannah Lewis, managing director of trolley supplier Formbar, believes shops and customers will prefer them. She added: 'Trolleys are important, they are the first thing you see as you go into a supermarket. 'The plastic ones are more cost-effective to maintain, as well as being fully recyclable. 'We'll be seeing them much more in the future which I think people will like as they are easier to push around than the steel ones, and they are quieter too with no metal rattling sounds.' Mrs Lewis also hopes that plastic trolleys will be less desirable to thieves, who target them for scrap metal. Pictures of the new trolleys at the Sheffield store in Tesco have been a talking point on the social media forum Reddit, with some users unconvinced of their benefits. One said: 'At least these won't rust when they end up in the local river, canal, duck pond, etc.' Another added: 'Nope they'll float merrily on by instead.' One shopper also reported the trolley was smaller, with another saying: "Are they trying to make it less obvious how much less we can get for a £100. "I filled a whole trolley." Others speculated that shoplifters who load up trolley-loads of goods to nick wouldn't be able to take as much. MORE TESCO NEWS This comes as Tesco is giving away Clubcard points for free as part of a huge summer day out deal. The limited-time reward scheme is part of the 30th anniversary of the supermarket's Clubcard Rewards. Shoppers can take home 1000 Clubcard points free when they exchange at least £5 of Clubcard vouchers with one of Tesco's Days Out Reward Partners. That means shoppers can earn £10 worth of points for free, just for exchanging their vouchers. However, customers need to exchange their points before July 29th if they want to make use of the deal. Celebrating the launch of the incredible deal, Shama Wilson - Tesco's Group Membership and Loyalty Director - said: 'We know our customers are always looking for things to do across the summer, especially during school holidays, and so this is always a popular time for Clubcard members to exchange their vouchers for double their value with Reward Partners. 'To make that even more rewarding, and to celebrate 30 years of Clubcard rewards, we are offering an amazing £10 of points back when you spend on days out. 'It means you can exchange your vouchers and get great savings while getting £10 of points in return to go towards your weekly shop or even another great day out later in the year.' The deal can only be redeemed once on each Clubcard. Over 23 million British households have a Clubcard, helping customers to make huge savings when shopping at Tesco. Plus, the "perfect holiday set" has just landed according to one Tesco shopper - as she shows off the perfect striped duo & it costs just £32. And, fashion lovers were sent into a frenzy with the supermarket's stunning green puff sleeve midi dress. The frock was such a hit with shoppers that they brought it out in a cerise pink earlier this year. The F&F Pure Cotton V-Neck Puff Sleeve Midi Dress is avialable in sizes six to 22, and can be snapped up online or in store. It features a classic V-neck and tie at the waist to cinch you in. Meanwhile, we told earlier how shoppers were racing to snap up a £19.50 'chuck on' summer dress that is "gorgeous on" and comes in three colours. How has Tesco's F&F upped its game By Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend ZARA has become a high street staple in recent years thanks to its hot-off-the-catwalk designs and affordable prices. But recently those prices have risen with the brand's popularity. However, if you are looking for high fashion inspired outfits with low price tags you needn't drag yourself to your local shops, just head to the supermarket instead. F&F has come a long way from selling a few backs of T-shirts and fluffy dressing gowns and is now a must have shopping destination for thousands. They produce good quality, long lasting and on trend clothes that puts others to shame. F&F is filled with Zara dupes and other looks inspired by our favourite shops that will set you back less than £50 - and you can get them while you pick up your dinner. I for one love F&F denim, it's durable, fits really well and has all the best silhouettes. So even if you're not looking for reasonable prices but just want good clothes, get yourself to Tesco.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Boss of shopping centre owner Hammerson to step down after five years
The boss of Brent Cross and Bull Ring shopping centre owner Hammerson is leaving after five years. In a surprise update, the company said Rita-Rose Gagne will leave in 2026. Chairman Robert Noel praised her 'outstanding leadership and immense contribution', saying she drove a substantial turnaround. Gagne, 62, previously a senior partner at global law firm Fasken, said: 'I have been privileged to work with our talented teams to transform our culture, balance sheet and portfolio.' She added that now was the right time to 'pass on the baton' and retire from the firm. Hammerson's underlying earnings fell 15 per cent to £99million last year after it offloaded assets, including its stake in Value Retail, owner of Bicester Village near Oxford. It booked a £497million impairment in the first half of 2024 due to the sale, despite banking £595million from the deal.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Boss of Brent Cross shopping centre owner Hammerson to leave in 2026
The boss of Brent Cross and Bull Ring shopping centre owner Hammerson has revealed plans to step down in 2026 after five years in the top job. Rita-Rose Gagne will stay in post as chief executive for the next 12 months while the group hunts for her successor and to ensure a smooth handover. She took on the role in November 2020, joining from global real estate company Ivanhoe Cambridge, where she was president of growth markets. Robert Noel, chairman of Hammerson, praised Ms Gagne's 'outstanding leadership and immense contribution' to the firm. He said: 'She has driven a substantial turnaround, transforming and strengthening Hammerson into the largest UK-listed, pure-play owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations.' Ms Gagne said now was the right time to 'pass on the baton' and retire from the firm. 'In 2026 I will have been with Hammerson for an incredible five years, during which time I have been privileged to work with our talented teams to transform our culture, balance sheet and portfolio, returning the business to growth,' she said. 'With the business in great shape, a strong team, and significant opportunities ahead, it is an exciting time for Hammerson and the right time for me to pass on the baton,' she added. A trained lawyer, Ms Gagne's early career saw her work as a senior partner at global law firm Fasken, covering real estate, infrastructure, corporate mergers and acquisitions. Hammerson owns a raft of retail sites and real estate in the UK, Ireland and France, also including Cabot Circus in Bristol and Westquay in Southampton. It saw underlying earnings fall 15% to £99 million last year after it offloaded some retail assets, including its stake in Bicester Village owner Value Retail to private equity firm L Catterton, backed by French luxury good giant LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy). It booked a £497 million impairment in the first half of 2024 due to the sale, despite banking £595 million in cash from the deal. The group at the time cheered a 'transformative' year after the Bicester Village stake sale, which has allowed it to focus on its urban retail real estate and reduce debts.
Fashion Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Hammerson shines in 'excellent year', confirms almost full control of Brent Cross
Hammerson 's on a roll. The major owner/manager of prime retail and leisure centres anchored to city destinations (think Birmingham Bull Ring, Cabot Circus Bristol, Westquay Southampton, and Brent Cross in London) says it's enjoying 'an excellent start to the year' across all aspects of its business. It reported a strong year-to-date trading performance together with positive updated guidance for full-year 2025. The positive update comes as it also announced the completion of the acquisition of Brent Cross, first reported earlier this month (but more of that later). An upbeat CEO Rita-Rose Gagne said: 'We have welcomed over 50 million visitors to our destinations so far in 2025 [and] we've continued to execute our growth strategy and delivered strong operational momentum, with another period of record leasing, increased year-on-year occupancy, investment and consolidation in our assets.' As a result, Hammerson now expects total GRI (global reporting initiative) growth in the region of 10% for 2025 and re-affirmed its adjusted earnings guidance for the full year. Those 50 million visitors so far in 2025 supports its claim that footfall and sales 'have continued to be robust'. Group like-for-like sales were also up 1% for the first quarter, including a particularly strong performance in March in the UK (+2%), 'with the benefit of Easter falling in Q2 yet to come'. Another strong leasing performance in the year to 16 May has already outstripped last year's record performance with the exchange of 93 leases, representing 424,000 sq ft of space, totalling £15.5 million of headline rent at 100%, 59% ahead of previous passing rent, and 12% ahead of ERV. Reflecting the continuing high demand and strong leasing performance, year-on-year occupancy increased by 70bps in the first quarter to 94%, it noted. There's also a 'high visibility' of future income with long-term deals representing 91% by value and the weighted average unexpired lease term to break is 5.4 years, adding £76m of contracted rent year-to-date. The pipeline remains strong with over £25 million in solicitor's hands and in advanced negotiations. Following the investment in asset repositioning, Hammerson sees major new openings this year including a flagship M&S and Odeon at Cabot Circus, Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx at The Oracle, and a unique partnership between Adidas and Aston Villa at the Bullring. It also completed the major reletting associated with the former House of Fraser at The Oracle, having signed deals last week for significant upsizes with Zara and another major global brand. It also looks forward to welcoming an upsized and new concept Pull & Bear and upsized JD Sports at Dundrum. 'These leases support significant rental growth, and together are ahead of previous passing rents and ERVs', it added. And that updated guidance comes alongside strong operational momentum so it now expects total GRI growth for FY25 to be in the region of 10%, with adjusted earnings of around £95 million. Also, Hammerson gave further details on its Brent Cross acquisition, acquiring almost a 100% stake in the centre for a net cash consideration of £186 million. It said this represents a 16% discount to book value as at 31 December 2024 for the destination and a net initial yield of 8.6%. Combined with Hammerson's existing managing stake, the company's economic interest in Brent Cross is currently 97%, and will provide annualised EBITDA benefit of around £14 million.
Fashion Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Hammerson shines in 'excellent year', confirms almost full control of Brent Cross
An upbeat CEO Rita-Rose Gagne said: 'We have welcomed over 50 million visitors to our destinations so far in 2025 [and] we've continued to execute our growth strategy and delivered strong operational momentum, with another period of record leasing, increased year-on-year occupancy, investment and consolidation in our assets.' As a result, Hammerson now expects total GRI (global reporting initiative) growth in the region of 10% for 2025 and re-affirmed its adjusted earnings guidance for the full year. Those 50 million visitors so far in 2025 supports its claim that footfall and sales 'have continued to be robust'. Group like-for-like sales were also up 1% for the first quarter, including a particularly strong performance in March in the UK (+2%), 'with the benefit of Easter falling in Q2 yet to come'. Another strong leasing performance in the year to 16 May has already outstripped last year's record performance with the exchange of 93 leases, representing 424,000 sq ft of space, totalling £15.5 million of headline rent at 100%, 59% ahead of previous passing rent, and 12% ahead of ERV. Reflecting the continuing high demand and strong leasing performance, year-on-year occupancy increased by 70bps in the first quarter to 94%, it noted. There's also a 'high visibility' of future income with long-term deals representing 91% by value and the weighted average unexpired lease term to break is 5.4 years, adding £76m of contracted rent year-to-date. The pipeline remains strong with over £25 million in solicitor's hands and in advanced negotiations. Following the investment in asset repositioning, Hammerson sees major new openings this year including a flagship M&S and Odeon at Cabot Circus, Hollywood Bowl and TK Maxx at The Oracle, and a unique partnership between Adidas and Aston Villa at the Bullring. It also completed the major reletting associated with the former House of Fraser at The Oracle, having signed deals last week for significant upsizes with Zara and another major global brand. It also looks forward to welcoming an upsized and new concept Pull & Bear and upsized JD Sports at Dundrum. 'These leases support significant rental growth, and together are ahead of previous passing rents and ERVs', it added. And that updated guidance comes alongside strong operational momentum so it now expects total GRI growth for FY25 to be in the region of 10%, with adjusted earnings of around £95 million. Also, Hammerson gave further details on its Brent Cross acquisition, acquiring almost a 100% stake in the centre for a net cash consideration of £186 million. It said this represents a 16% discount to book value as at 31 December 2024 for the destination and a net initial yield of 8.6%. Combined with Hammerson's existing managing stake, the company's economic interest in Brent Cross is currently 97%, and will provide annualised EBITDA benefit of around £14 million.
