Frasers Group PLC , the owner of House of Fraser and Sports Direct, said it is talking to the administrators of Debenhams PLC about potentially buying its … - Retail Gazette", "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group in talks to buy collapsed Debenhams", "Debenhams gift cards expire as Mike Ashley considers empty stores", Major European expansion for Sports Direct, "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group snaps up stake in luxury brand Mulberry", "Sports Direct sells Dunlop for $137m | Business", "Ashley sells Original Shoe Company to JJB", Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust, JPMorgan Emerging Markets Investment Trust, JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust, Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund, Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frasers_Group&oldid=999978630, Sporting goods retailers of the United Kingdom, Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 January 2021, at 22:34. Costa Coffee – 1,650 jobs3 September: The company, which was bought by Coca-Cola two years ago, is cutting up to 1,650 jobs in its cafes, more than one in 10 of its workforce. Frasers group held talks earlier this year with the administrator of Debenhams but claimed then it had been “frozen” out of the process and was not receiving adequate information. [42] In February 2017, it was reported that Sports Direct had failed to inform its workforce of a data breach of their personal information after an attacker gained access to its internal systems in September 2016. Frasers Group PLC (LON:FRS) was first to warn today that it was ripping up its previous guidance of a healthy profit increase this year. [47] In 2006 he acquired Kangol for an estimated £12 million. Sports Direct says it intends to run the DW business under its Everlast brand. Pret a Manger – 2,890 jobs27 August: The majority of the cuts are focused on the sandwich chain's shop workers, but 90 roles will be lost in its support centre teams. Clarks – 900 jobs21 May: Clarks plans to cut 900 office jobs worldwide as it grapples with the growth of online shoe shopping as well as the pandemic. Sports Direct owner Frasers Group has acquired some of the assets of Dave Whelan Sports from its administrators for an initial sum of £37 million. The company said it intended to run the gym and fitness business using its Everlast brand, the American boxing kit manufacturer made famous by Muhammad Ali, which the business acquired in 2007 for $168m (£128m). Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has reported an 18% rise in pre-tax profits as it continues talks about the potential acquisition of Debenhams. Pizza Express – 1,100 jobs7 September: The restaurant chain confirms the closure of 73 restaurants as part of a rescue restructure deal. Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has confirmed it is considering buying Arcadia … The uplift was largely driven by strong trading in its stores after lockdown, growth in online sales, new Flannels stores and continued operating efficiencies. [31], In October 2015, the chief executive of Sports Direct, David Forsey, was charged with a criminal offence for consultation failures over USC staff who only had 15 minutes notice of redundancy. [16], In July 2008, it was disclosed that Sports Direct also held a 12.3% holding in the John David Group, parent of JD Sports. The cuts include the 1,000 job losses announced on 6 July. Psyche owner Steve Cochrane, who has run the business for the past 38 years and will continue as CEO following the takeover, said the deal would secure the future of his company and its 58 workers. [9] Mike Ashley has continued to hold a majority stake in the business, and his holding has been 61.7 percent since October 2013. [46] This was followed by the acquisitions of outdoor gear manufacturer Karrimor in March for a reported £5 million. Sports Direct formerly held 5% of Amer Sports. [23] In July 2013, more than 2,000 full-time staff were awarded around £70,000 each under the company's bonus share scheme. Sales at its core sports business decreased 14.6%, but edged up 0.7% including the contribution from the digital gaming group Game, which is now part of that division. [54], In February 2019 the group acquired Sofa.com for a nominal sum. - Retail Gazette", "Shoplifting in Retail Clothing Outlets:", "Flotation makes Sports Direct founder a billionaire", "Ashley sells £106m in Sports Direct shares", "Revealed UK's first sports kit billionaire", "Personal finance – How to grow your wealth and spend less money", "Billionaire sports tycoon plots move into Matalan", "Sports Direct's Ashley rebuilds Amer stake", "The JJB stores Sports Direct has bought", "Sports Direct thrashes out deal to buy 60 JJB Sports stores", "Sold JJB Sports stores inundated with shoppers", "Republic fashion chain bought by Sports Direct", "2,000 Sports Direct staff to receive £100,000 bonus after record profits", "Sports Direct buys 4.6% Debenhams stake", "Sports Direct nets 5% stake in Debenhams", "Sports Direct takes option on Debenhams stake", "Pension expert call for scrutiny over Sports Direct sale of Dunlop", "Sports Direct buys 26% stake in Game Digital | Business", "Ambulances called to Sports Direct HQ more than 80 times in two years", "Sports Direct chief executive charged over USC administration", "Company directors face criminal charges over redundancies", "Revealed: how Sports Direct effectively pays below minimum wage", "Sports Direct denies 'Dickensian practices' in face of investor revolt", "Sports Direct's Mike Ashley promises £10m to pay staff above minimum wage", "Sports Direct accused of yet another 'PR stunt' to distract from 'Victorian' work practices", "Sports Direct's Mike Ashley agrees to pay staff national minimum wage from 2016", "Sports Direct warehouse workers to receive back pay", "Sports Direct 'to back-pay Derbyshire workers £1m, "Sports Direct workers paid less than minimum wage yet to get back pay | Business", "Sports Direct 'bugged' our visit to Shirebrook warehouse, say MPs", "Sports Direct hacked last year, and still hasn't told its staff of data breach", "Sports Direct will soon rebrand to Frasers Group", "Sports World International sales climb 45pc and knock JJB off top spot", "Game, set and match for Dunlop Slazenger", "Ashley slips Karrimor brand in his rucksack", "Sports World owner sees right fit for Kangol hats", "Sports World tycoon mulls bid for Umbro", "Commission Decision No. Major Baltic sports retailer in which Sports Direct acquired a 60% stake in May 2013. Established in 1982 by Mike Ashley, the company is the United Kingdom's largest sports-goods retailer and operates roughly 670 stores worldwide. The first property it developed was a shopping centre known as The Centrepoint located on Singapore's Orchard Road. Ted Baker – 500 jobs19 July: About 200 roles to go at the fashion retailer’s London headquarters, the Ugly Brown Building, and the remainder at stores. [57], In December 2020, Debenhams announced it was going into liquidation, putting 12,000 jobs in 124 UK stores at risk unless the administrators could find buyers for all or parts of the business. The company is best known for trading predominantly under the Sports Direct brand, which operates in both physical outlets and online. [28] Sumitomo already own the rights to the brand in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. After looking at a takeover,[49] Sports Direct took a £9 million stake and signed a lucrative long-term deal in August 2005 with troubled brand Umbro,[50] which was subsequently sold to Nike. [1], In late November 2006, a number of business newspapers reported that Ashley was looking at an IPO of Sports World International. Debenhams – 4,000 jobs9 April: At least 4,000 jobs will be lost at Debenhams in its head office and closed stores after its collapse into administration in April, for the second time in a year. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has reportedly acquired the stores and online business of premium independent Psyche, for an undisclosed sum. [39][40] As of March 2017, some Sports Direct workers are yet to receive backpay for their time worked, because of a disagreement regarding how contracts changing between employment agencies should be handled. The owner of the Sports Direct brand confirmed it was in negotiations in an emailed statement and said “we hope to be able to save as many jobs as possible” at Debenhams, one of the UK’s most iconic retail brands. Construction on that development started in 1980 and was completed in 1983. 1995/96 saw the stores change to "Sports Soccer" along with the re-location of head office and warehouse to a 100,000 sq. and Assets Owned by Dunlop Sports Group Americas, Inc. - Philippine Competition Commission", "House of Fraser bought by Mike Ashley's Sports Direct for £90m", "Evans Cycles sold to Mike Ashley's Sports Direct as part of pre-pack administration", "Mike Ashley buys Sofa.com for "nominal sum, "Mike Ashley wins race to buy Jack Wills", "Mike Ashley buys long-time rival's sports business", "Mike Ashley makes eleventh-hour play for Debenhams", "How can Mike Ashley's Frasers Group revive Debenhams? [13], In December 2006, it was revealed that Sports Direct had built up a 29.4% stake in Blacks Leisure Group, the owner of Millets. Marston's - 2,150 jobs15 October: Marston's  - the brewer which owns nearly 1,400 pubs, restaurants, cocktail bars and hotels across the UK - said it would cut 2,150 jobs due to fresh Covid restrictions. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group Plc is in last-ditch talks to buy the ailing Debenhams department store in a move which could save thousands of jobs. The company was founded by Mike Ashley in 1982 as a single store in Maidenhead trading under the name of "Mike Ashley Sports". M&Co – 400 jobs5 August: M&Co, the Renfrewshire-based clothing retailer, formerly known as Mackays, will close 47 of 215 stores. Sports Direct stated at the time it intended to be a supportive share holder. [24] On 13 January 2014, Sports Direct bought 4.6% of Debenhams shares. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has acquired the gym and fitness chain DW Sports in a deal potentially worth up to £44m. DW Sports – 1,700 jobs at risk3 August: DW Sports fell into administration, closing its retail website immediately and risking the closure of its 150 gyms and shops. [25][26] Sports Direct sold its shares on 16 January 2014, although they took out an option to buy further shares up to a total of 6.6%. By Isabella Fish 5 January 2021. [53], On 30 October 2018, Evans Cycles was purchased by Sports Direct in a pre-pack administration deal. [6] Its ownership of the Everlast name inspired the launch of the Everlast Fitness Club chain in 2020.[7]. “Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has a track record in snapping up distressed firms and, given DW Sports was a former rival to Sports Direct, it’s an acquisition that is perhaps even more appealing,” said Susannah Streeter, senior investments and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. [8] The company's business model is one that operates under low margins. Psyche owner Steve Cochrane, who will continue as CEO following the takeover, told the BBC the deal would secure the future of his company and its 58 workers. The ambulance service received three calls about women experiencing pregnancy difficulties, including one who gave birth in the site's toilets. The rest have been closed but some may be reopened by Frasers in due course, said BDO. [37] Workers on zero-hours contracts are not included in the rise and neither are those already paid more than minimum wage (management/supervisors etc.) DW’s Fitness First Clubs have been unaffected by the administration and the subsequent sale. [41] In November 2016, six MPs from the Business and Skills Committee visited Sports Direct, and reported that while there, Sports Direct attempted to place them under surveillance. Azzurri – 1,200 jobs17 July: The owner of the Ask Italian and Zizzi pizza chains closes 75 restaurants and makes its Pod lunch business delivery only. The chain, part of Mike Ashley's Frasers Group that owns Sport Direct, has closed about 10 of the 59 stores bought out of administration in 2018. Marks & Spencer – 7,000 jobs18 August: Food, clothing and homewares retailer cuts jobs in central support centre, regional management and stores. A union official suggested that these practices were illegal as they brought workers' earnings below the minimum wage. [12] The group debuted on the exchange on 27 February 2007. The Newcastle United owner's retail empire has bought some of its former rival's gym and fitness assets out of administration. The company was founded by Mike Ashley in 1982 as a single store in Maidenhead trading under the name of "Mike Ashley Sports". In the early 1980s, the firm began divesting its non-property assets. The stock market purchase of 56.8 million shares (worth around £46m) was made without the prior knowledge of the Debenhams board. The assistant store manager role will go across all shops. Harrods – 700 jobs1 July: The department store group is cutting one in seven of its 4,800 employees because of the “ongoing impacts” of the pandemic. [45], In February 2004, the company acquired Dunlop Slazenger for around £40 million, which included the Dunlop, Slazenger and Carlton brands. The company has more than 14,000 employees. Frasers Group acquires Psyche. [56], On 24 August 2020, it was announced that Frasers Group would buy "certain" assets from DW Sports Fitness for £37m, but would not be using the firm's brand name. Laura Ashley – 2,700 jobs17 March: Laura Ashley collapsed into administration, with 2,700 job losses, and said rescue talks had been thwarted by the pandemic. NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has issued a profit warning. therefore the 19,000 staff above is actually substantially fewer. [52], Sumitomo Rubber intended to acquire the entire issued share capital of Dunlop Brands Limited, Dunlop Slazenger 1902 Limited, and Dunlop Australia Limited, and the Dunlop-related business of Dunlop Sports Group Americas, Inc. which are subsidiaries of Sports Direct. [61], Austrian sports chain in a 51% stake was acquired for €40.5m (£34.6m) in May 2013. The Information Commissioner's Office stated it was aware of "an incident from 2016 involving Sports Direct" and would "be making enquiries. The Restaurant Group – 3,000 jobs3 June: The owner of dining chains such as Wagamama and Frankie & Benny’s has closed most branches of Chiquito and all 11 of its Food & Fuel pubs, with another 120 restaurants to close permanently. [30], From January 2013 to December 2014, 76 ambulances or paramedic cars were sent to the postcode for Sports Direct's distribution centre, according to a Freedom of Information request by the BBC. The company said multiple offers were on the table for parts of the business but buyers did not want to acquire all the existing sites and 91 of its 250 outlets would remain permanently closed. Total job losses could reach 3,000. Explore Frasers Property, a diverse, multi-national property company | In residential, retail, commercial, industrial, logistics, hospitality development and management, we believe experience matters. In 2006 it overtook JJB Sports as the UK's largest sportswear retailer. Frasers Group was reported to be in talks to acquire Debenhams,[58][59][60] though it was later reported that Ashley was mainly interested in using empty Debenhams stores to expand his other chains, including House of Fraser, Sports Direct and Flannels; taking 'vacant possession' would avoid redundancy costs for existing staff. [1][11] In 2005 the company began a major rebrand of the stores, changing the fascias to Sports World. [48] Most of these brands were bought from distressed sellers. 06-M-077/2016: Acquisition by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. of Shares in Dunlop Brands Limited, et al. Frasers Group (FRAS.L), the retail company owned by billionaire Mike Ashley, is committed to physical stores despite the decline of the high street. Monday, January 04 2021 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has acquired the stores and online business of fashion retailer Psyche for an undisclosed sum. In 1984, Preston Sports shop was opened in London and by 1992 the company had 12 stores. [32][33] In December 2015, an investigation by The Guardian found that the company fines staff for late clocking on, does not award overtime for late clocking off, relies on zero hour contracts, and regularly makes staff wait unpaid for a security check at the end of shifts. Frasers Group to pay initial £37m for ‘certain assets’, which excludes DW business name. [17] The stake is currently 11.9% of JD Sports as of November 2013. He hired Merrill Lynch, who valued the group at up to £2.5bn ahead of a possible flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Frasers Group: Owner of Frasers Group Mike Ashley says he has been "frozen out" of the auction of Debenhams, reports The Sunday Times, as restructuring firm Hilco is preparing to liquidate parts of the department store's business. Harveys – 240 jobs30 June: Administrators made 240 redundancies at the furniture chain Harveys, with more than 1,300 jobs at risk if a buyer cannot be found. [44], The group has over 470 UK stores including the chains Sports Direct (Sports World prior to 2008), Lillywhites, House of Fraser, Flannels, Evans Cycles, Sofa.com, Field & Trek and USC. The Debenhams board responded by stating they were open-minded with regard to exploring operational opportunities to improve its performance. [14] In May 2007, it was also revealed that Ashley had held talks with John Hargreaves, founder of Matalan on both taking a 25% stake in the troubled retail business and installing mezzanine floors in larger Matalan stores, on which SportsDirect.com outlets could be operated. [1] The number of retail stores had now increased to 50, along with the acquisition of the tennis and golf brand, Donnay. (Bloomberg) -- Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group Plc is in last-ditch talks to buy the ailing Debenhams department store in a move which could save thousands of jobs. The number of retail stores had now increased to 50, along with the acquisition of the tennis and golf brand, Donnay. The overall deal, which excludes the DW business names and intellectual property, could be boosted by a further £6.9m, depending on how many of the property lease holdings Frasers Group acquires. Burberry – 500 jobs worldwide15 July: Total includes 150 posts in UK head offices as luxury brand tries to slash costs by £55m after a slump in sales during the pandemic. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has reported an 18% rise in profits today. Celtic Manor – 450 jobs9 July: Bosses at the Celtic Collection in Newport, which staged golf's Ryder Cup in 2010 and the 2014 Nato Conference, said 450 of its 995 workers will lose their jobs. Has bought some of its former rival 's gym and fitness assets acquired … under the company 's business is. Overtook JJB Sports as of November 2013 the cuts include the 1,000 job losses announced on 6 July began. 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