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jeez, nice loss on these now - increasing as time goes on - time to bale - can't see any improvement going forward, as much as I want this to succeed - been in since 35p! - I am getting to the point where I now have little faith in management - we hear nothing, can't see any dividend being paid, resulting in this share not really doing anything!
Now
When we due next update? Again i was in Laura Ashley today and it was very busy to say the least. Just do know why this business ain’t doing welll. Everyone I speak to as well loves the gear in there
Far from it my friend, I really want to see this company great again and not just for financial reasons as my holding is derisory, my concern is that this will never happen under the present autocrat or foreign owners.
AJ16. De-ramper!
AJ 16. You are a serial de-damper!
Yes they closed a really nice shop in a good area of Bristol some years ago and went into a dull mall in the centre, that wasn't a success so they closed it and transferred to a 'shed' on a retail park now but it's nothing special I'm afraid. There is one in Bath but last Christmas it looked very disorganised and without any real appeal.
I bought in for the dividend a few years ago .. but sold when they closed a local shop .... never a good sign.
You are brave, I hope your purchases work out but I see far better ways to invest in AIM companies that have real potential for quick growth for similar pennies rather than blind faith in the hope that a failing company will miraculously turnaround under the current ownership, even if it were taken over the nature of the muddled merchandise will mean that the share price will never achieve much. As I said before this needs to be a British company focussing on at least a 70% line up of well designed and manufactured British goods. It needs someone with the vision of the founder or Emma Bridgewater to make a bid to rescue it.
I think that a Chinese or Indian takeover would be the kiss of death and take it right away from Europe.
seriously down on these - bought a load at about 27p - so quite a loss, main reason I got in was for dividends but ever since I got them, th price has just gone down. Margins are tight, biggest issue is that laura ashley does quality stuff but has a constant sale to get people in. Clothes are a better quality than monsoon, but at prices competing with next. Some of my wifes tops still look new, so maybe there quality is too good for the price point which hurts margins. Time will tell, but I am keeping my shares hoping for a takeover at some point. I feel that is the only way the company will progress. Or the hotel will be a seperate company.
Laura ashley suffered from squeezed margins due to drop in the pound, and a poor spring and summer fashion range. higher minimum wage and buisness rates review will also put pressure on. However the pound is up 5c to 10c from its lows and inflation will feed through over the next few months. This is not the first time aly have had a poor result and think all the doom and gloom is a bit overdone. Its like reliving the posts about games workshop when i bought, within a year and a half its up 275% and paid 40% dividends. So maybe it will struggle a bit longer, maybe it could see a take over offer, though i see no reason for the owner wishing to sell just because of one years poor results. Alternatively now might be a great time to pick up shares with a real prospect that they could double or more with dividend reinstated equivalent to 10% or more at todays price should trading revert to form. Maybe i will be wrong, as long as they make a profit, and debt stays low, a recovery is on the cards at some point. Patience may be rewarded. I picked some up at under 8p, and will consider same again next month.
Brokers 12% spread is a bit greedy.
Yanar, well that is exactly what I am thinking, that another company will want this brand. There is a lot of mileage to be had from this international brand! Lets home it improves the share price some what, although in the past LA has delivered some good dividends!
Well it may be a lame duck at the moment, but it is a lame duck that does sell lovely things! Having purchased many items from LA, a little on the expensive side, but everything I have purchased has been really nice, and I could not get the same thing from any other retailer.
Not the Chinese, but the Indians. Future Retail (India) has taken a very close interest in Laura Ashley Lately. Probably kicking the tyres as we speak. Future Retai are seeking “brands” to compliment their portfolio - they have been collecting a few over the past 12 months. The Laura Ashley “brand” will sit well with their portfolio...... the money is in the brand! Take over highly likely IMHO. http://www.futureretail.in
Why would the Chinese want it? It's a lame duck I'm afraid with no leadership or meaningful business plan to make it any different.
Look on the bright side! I personally think this company will be sold off to the Chinese, the big companies over there are looking for Branded companies, and hopefully the share price will triple then!
Whilst the decision to change the year end and buy an expensive freehold in the Far East were perhaps mistimed, running any retailer these days is difficult. For instance making online a preference can be costly and demean the value of the retail estate. As for Cath Kidson its difficult to know how durable the revenues are when half the sales are bought as gifts, given the fickle nature of the consumer.
This company seems clueless or not bothered about what to do to end the slow slide into oblivion. There are only 4 directors left now after the termination of Ms Kwa Kim Li on 6 September (see Companies Houses website) Khoo Kay Peng seems to be the problem, goodness knows how much he is sucking out of the company, if you go by press reports attributed to his ex wife he is seriously rich and earns millions a year. He's undoubtedly the main holder of the 727.76 million shares so presumably calls all the shots. He's coming up to 80 so may be content to sit back for the rest of his time. Kwan Cheon NG is a director of several other companies so probably not too bothered. David Masters is a director in an equine company, that leaves Nyen Faat WONG who is a director of a hotel company. I don't see any hope there to save this British company with this bunch I'm afraid. We could lobby the board but it's unlikely to even be noticed. The only hope would be a buy out by someone who understands British design, just imagine if Emma Bridgewater was in control. As for us I think we can only vote with our feet and simply sell up and put pressure on them.
Very quiet wonder when they will publish some news?
Are you on drugs or something? Nice de-ramp, but no cigar!
accounts not independently audited ... OMG this could be bad
nearing the all time low again, stick or twist....
an eternal optimist, I hope you are right but wishful thinking doesn't cut anything in business unfortunately. In fact the figures for the trades placed today don't agree with you, there was more sold than bought including a £51K sell off at 14.31 the COB was + 0.13p!