Tag: Europe

UK retail sales fall for first time in two years

Posted by | Apr 16, 2008 | |

UK retail sales fell by 1.6% in March 2008, despite the early Easter, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The fall in like-for-like sales, compared with March 2007, was the worst since July 2005.

The squeeze on retailers helped contain inflation, with official figures also out today showing the consumer prices index remaining static last month at 2.5%.

The BRC said that although comparisons were difficult because of the early Easter, poor weather and staggered school holidays, “the additional spending for Easter being in March this year but in April last year would normally be expected to result in a year-on-year increase in sales.”

Food sales slowed after two strong months and clothing and footwear were the worst for at least eight years.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: “This is the first year-on-year fall in like-for-like sales for two years and the worst result for nearly three years.

“Here is the strongest evidence yet that customers are making serious economies and are increasingly concerned about the future. With recent retail profit warnings, it is further proof that trading is extremely tough but retailers are fighting back by keeping prices low and delivering extra value.

“Almost every sector except food saw sales down on a year ago. It’s clear customers are concentrating on essentials.”

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Correos with higher profits in 2007

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

The Spanish post operator Correos increased profits last year by 5.2 pct and is extending its portfolio with an upgraded parcel service. Correos closed 2007 with a pre-tax profit of EUR 149.6 million, a rise of 5.2 pct on the previous year. Revenues were up by 4.4 pct to EUR 2.1 billion.

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Royal Mail to present its case on quality of service failings at open meeting (UK)

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

Postcomm will hold an open meeting on 14 May at which Royal Mail will present its case on the reasons for its quality of service failures in the past year.

In June 2007, Postcomm agreed Royal Mail’s request to suspend – until the end of its current financial year – the payment of compensation to bulk mail customers, and to ensure that the company is not subject to a downward adjustment to its allowed revenues (known as the ‘C factor’), where industrial action has taken place and quality of service figures have dropped.

Postcomm agreed to the request because it wished to ensure that Royal Mail was not discouraged from taking the steps needed to modernise its business – such modernisation would be to the benefit of all mail users.

The regulator’s agreement to these suspensions was subject to it convening an open meeting at which Royal Mail would present the main points in its application. For it to be satisfied, Postcomm expects Royal Mail to be able to demonstrate that the industrial action arose as a result of carrying out its transformation plans and not for some other reason, and had a direct causal link to quality of service failures.

Major stakeholders in the postal market have been invited and offered the opportunity to ask any questions they have with regard to Royal Mail’s application; this will help ensure the regulator has appropriately considered the views of all interested parties before it makes its decision.

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Privatise Royal Mail and BBC, says report (UK)

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

The Royal Mail, Channel 4, BBC Worldwide, Scottish Water, Northern Ireland Water, Glas Cymru and the national air traffic control system should all be privatised, while government stakes in British Energy and the nuclear industry should be sold off.

That’s the main recommendation of a report by the Adam Smith Institute, which reckons the sales would raise around GBP 20bn for the government. The report ‘Privatization – reviving the momentum’ said the sales would be timely, given the state of the economy and the “increasing tightness” of public finances.

As well as financial benefits, the privatisations would boost investment, lower prices and give greater choice and better services to customers, as well as underpinning billions of pounds worth of economic activity.

The report’s author Nigel Hawkins said: “Privatisation in the UK remains unfinished business. The task for government, of whatever colour, should be to complete it and to reap the many benefits – including proceeds of some GBP 20bn.”

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Amtrak Sprints Ahead with Vehicle Replacement Programme

Posted by | Apr 15, 2008 | |

Amtrak is continuing its investment programme with 100 Mercedes Sprinters on order for delivery by the end of the year.

The first 50 Mercedes Sprinter 311CDIs will be delivered in July, with the rest due by December. Amtrak has already invested in almost 100 Ford Transits (350CDI Long Wheel Base) for its C+D fleet.

Last year, Amtrak added 18 double-deck trailers to the six already in its fleet, to cut the number of trunking vehicles between its Aldridge hub and 57 depots nationwide.

“Investment in IT systems, giving us full visibility throughout the network with real-time PODs, and some reorgansiation of the depot network, have also helped us to run the most efficient operation possible,” says Mr Jones. “The new vehicles are part of our continued investment in the company as we build the business and expand the customer base.”

The vans have been supplied by Reflex Vehicle Solutions Ltd.

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