Frasers Group

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Frasers Group plc
Formerly
  • Sports Direct International Limited (2006–2007)[1]
  • Sports Direct International plc (2007–2019)[1]
Company typePublic
Industry
Founded1982; 42 years ago (1982)
FounderMike Ashley
HeadquartersShirebrook, England, UK[1]
Key people
Products
List
Brands
List
Services
  • Frasers Plus
  • Studio Pay
RevenueIncrease £5,565.2 million (2023)[2]
Increase £531.8 million (2023)[2]
Increase £501.3 million (2023)[2]
OwnerMike Ashley (61.7%)
Number of employees
30,000 (2024)[3]
Websitefrasers.group

Frasers Group plc (formerly known as Sports Direct International plc) is a British retail, sport and intellectual property group, named after its ownership of the department store chain House of Fraser.

The company is best known for trading predominantly under the Sports Direct brand which operates both physical outlets and online.[4] Other retailers owned by the company include Jack Wills, GAME, Flannels, USC, Evans Cycles, Matches Fashion, and bespoke tailors Gieves & Hawkes. The company owns numerous intellectual property, including the brands Everlast, Lonsdale, Slazenger and Karrimor.[5] The group also expanded into operating fitness clubs, launching the Everlast Fitness Club chain in 2020.[6]

SportsDirect.com Retail Limited
Sports Direct
Formerly
  • Sports Soccer Limited (1997–2003)[7]
  • Sports World International Limited (2003–2008)[7]
Founded1982; 42 years ago (1982)
FounderMike Ashley
Number of locations
715 stores (2022)[2]
RevenueSee above
Websitesportsdirect.com

Established in 1982 by Mike Ashley, the company is the United Kingdom's largest sports-goods retailer.[8] The company's business model is one that operates under low margins.[9] Mike Ashley has continued to hold a majority stake in the business, and his holding has been 61.7 percent since October 2013.[10] It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.[11]

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

The company was founded by Mike Ashley in 1982 as a single store in Maidenhead trading under the name of "Mike Ashley Sports".[12][13]

Going public

[edit]

In late November 2006, a number of business newspapers reported that Ashley was looking at an IPO of Sports World International. He hired Merrill Lynch, who valued the group at up to £2.5bn ahead of a possible flotation on the London Stock Exchange.[14] The group debuted on the exchange on 27 February 2007.[15]

Corporate finance and mergers

[edit]

By December 2006, Sports Direct had built up a 29.4% stake in Blacks Leisure Group, the owner of Millets.[16] In 2007 Ashley 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.[17] In June 2007, the company acquired Everlast for £84 million.[18]

By July 2008, Sports Direct was also holding a 12.3% holding in the John David Group, parent of JD Sports.[19] The stake amounted to 11.9% of JD Sports in November 2013. Sports Direct formerly held 5% of Amer Sports.[20] In 2012 Sports Direct International purchased rival retailer JJB's brand name, website, 20 stores and all of their stock in a deal for approximately £24m. The deal saved around 550 jobs.[21][22][23][24]

In February 2013, after fashion retailer Republic went into administration, Sports Direct International bought 116 Republic stores, the brand name and the company's head office from the administrator for an undisclosed sum.[25] In July 2013, more than 2,000 full-time staff were awarded around £70,000 each under the company's bonus share scheme.[26] On 13 January 2014, Sports Direct bought 4.6% of Debenhams shares. The stock market purchase of 56.8 million shares (worth around £46m) was made without the prior knowledge of the Debenhams board. Sports Direct International stated at the time it intended to be a supportive share holder. The Debenhams board responded by stating they were open-minded with regard to exploring operational opportunities to improve its performance.[27][28] Sports Direct International sold its shares on 16 January 2014, although they took out an option to buy further shares up to a total of 6.6%.[29]

In December 2016, Sports Direct International agreed to sell the remaining international rights to its Dunlop brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries for £112 million ($137.5 million).[30] Sumitomo already own the rights to the brand in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The sale was due to be completed by May 2017.[31] In July 2017, the company acquired a 26% stake in Game Digital.[32]

[edit]

Between 2013 and 2014, ambulances were dispatched to Sports Direct HQ's facilities more than 80 times, including one concerning a woman who gave birth in the facility's bathroom.[33] 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.[34][35] 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. A union official suggested that these practices were illegal as they brought workers' earnings below the minimum wage. The company responded by saying there were unspecified inaccuracies in the reports.[36] A representative from the charity ShareAction claimed that workers are "jeopardising their health" for fear of being dismissed while another shareholder said the company's reputation as an employer was "atrocious".[37]

Late in December 2015 Sports Direct announced a 15 pence per hour increase for staff currently receiving less than minimum wage, taking them above minimum wage,[38] the annual cost of this was said in the announcement to be ~£10 Million (GBP); however it was immediately noted that £0.15p × 37.5 hours × 19,000 staff × 52 weeks = 5,557,500 (~£5.5 million), this and other factors resulted in many (including Unite) calling it a "PR Stunt".[39] Workers on zero-hours contracts are not included in the rise and neither are those already paid more than minimum wage (management/supervisors etc.) therefore the 19,000 staff above is actually substantially fewer.[40]

In August 2016, Sports Direct Int. admitted breaking the law and agreed to disburse unlawfully withheld wages totalling about £1m to the affected workers.[41][42] As of March 2017, some Sports Direct workers were yet to receive backpay for their time worked, because of a disagreement regarding how contracts changing between employment agencies should be handled.[43] 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.[44] 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. The Information Commissioner's Office stated it was aware of "an incident from 2016 involving Sports Direct" and would "be making enquiries."[45]

The company announced on 16 December 2019 that it would change its name from Sports Direct International plc to Frasers Group plc effective from 17 December 2019.[46]

It was announced in September 2021 that Michael Murray was to be the incoming CEO of Frasers Group, taking over Ashley's role, in May 2022.[47]

In July 2022, chief operating officer David Al-Mudallal announced in a memo that the company will stop allowing its office staff to work from home on Fridays, as had been practice for the last few years. The reason behind this decision was that many workers did not take working from home seriously enough and were often non-contactable.[48]

Frasers Plus

[edit]

In 2023, Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray announced the group would launch a flexible payment service called Frasers Plus. The service would allow customers to buy now, pay later and earn points for paying through the service.[49]

The service is provided using technology developed by fintech startup Tymit.[50][51]

Frasers Plus is available in the United Kingdom and can be used in store and online at retailers such as House of Fraser, USC, Flannels, Jack Wills, Sports Direct and more.[52]

Acquisitions

[edit]

Dunlop

[edit]

In February 2004, the company acquired Dunlop Slazenger for around £40 million, which included the Dunlop, Slazenger and Carlton brands.[53]

The brands themselves are an increasingly important part of the business, and Sports Direct International made £10 million, from selling the intellectual-property rights to the Slazenger Golf brand to arch-rival JJB in 2005.[13]

In 2016, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, a global tyre, sports goods, and industrial rubber products manufacturing company based in Kobe, Japan, filed for regulatory approval before the Philippine Competition Commission in connection with its planned acquisition of Dunlop-related wholesale, manufacturing, and licensing business from Sports Direct International.[54]

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.[54]The Philippine Competition Commission approved the regulatory filing for the said acquisition. The acquisition allowed Sumitomo Rubber to consolidate the Dunlop brand across various products including sports goods worldwide.[54]

Other acquisitions and closures

[edit]

In March 2004 Sports Direct acquired outdoor gear manufacturer Karrimor for a reported £5 million.[55]

In August 2005, Sports Direct took a £9 million stake and signed a lucrative long-term deal in with troubled brand Umbro,[56] which was subsequently sold to Nike.[57][58]

In 2006, Sports Direct acquired Kangol for an estimated £12 million.[59]

In 2012, JJB Sports fell into administration and it was announced that Sports Direct International had purchased parts of the sports good retailers assets including 20 stores, the brand, and its website for £28.3 million. [21]

In July 2012, Sports Direct Int. purchased a 51% stake in retailer Flannels.[60]

In February 2013, Republic entered administration, and was purchased by Sports Direct International. Republic was merged into Sports Direct's USC brand.[61]

On 10 August 2018, the House of Fraser entered administration. Later that day, Sports Direct International agreed to buy all House of Fraser UK stores, the House of Fraser brand, and all of the stock in the business for £90 million in cash, converting all old House of Fraser stores into Sports Direct. Prior to the company entering administration, Sports Direct's Mike Ashley held an 11% stake in the company.[62]

On 30 October 2018, Evans Cycles was purchased by Sports Direct International in a pre-pack administration deal.[63]

In February 2019 the group acquired Sofa.com for a nominal sum.[64]

On 5 August 2019, Sports Direct International purchased Jack Wills out of administration for £12.7 million after winning a competition against Edinburgh Woollen Mill.[65]

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.[66] Also in August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley threatened landlords with House of Fraser store closures.[67]

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. Frasers Group was reported to be in talks to acquire Debenhams,[68][69][70] 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.[71]

In January 2021, it was announced that the Jenners House of Fraser store in Edinburgh was closing for good and 200 jobs would be lost.[72] In February, Frasers offloaded their 25% stake in French Connection.[73]

In April 2021 the group announced it had doubled the hit it expects to take from the coronavirus pandemic to £200 million.[74]

In February 2022, the group announced it had purchased some of the assets of the Studio Retail Group from administration.[75] In May, Fraser's sold their stakes in Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports.[76]

On 1 June 2022, it was revealed that the group had bought the intellectual property of Missguided and its sister brand Mennace for about £20 million, after they went into administration the previous day.[77]

In November 2022, it was announced Frasers Group had acquired one of London's oldest bespoke tailors, Gieves & Hawkes.[78]

In June 2023, it was announced that the Frasers Group had acquired a stake of 9% in ASOS, 9% in Currys and 5% in Boohoo.com. It had also acquired a stake of 21% in AO World. These holdings increased during the year.[79][80]

In December 2023, the Group acquired Matches Fashion, a luxury ecommerce fashion retailer, for £52 million from Apax Partners.[81] On 7 March 2024, the Group said that Matches would go into administration after continually missing its business plan targets.[82]

In April 2024, it was announced Frasers Group had agreed to acquire the Dutch sports retailer, Twin Sport.[83]

In September 2024, Frasers Group made a takeover approach for luxury handbag maker Mulberry. The brand already held a 37% stake in the company[84] However, the company confirmed that it would not make a bid for Mulberry in October, and then began making moves to install Mike Ashley as Director and CEO of Boohoo Group.[85]

Brands

[edit]

Retail outlet

[edit]

Sells Sport/Exercise Products

[edit]

Online Exclusive brands

[edit]

Electrical

[edit]

Clothing and equipment

[edit]

Former brands

[edit]

Defunct and inactive

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 27% share
  2. ^ partnership collaboration agreement
  3. ^ Austrian sports chain in a 51% stake was acquired for €40.5m (£34.6m) in May 2013[89]
  4. ^ Major Baltic sports retailer in which Sports Direct acquired a 60% stake in May 2013.[89]
  5. ^ High street and internet retailer created from the merger of Sports Soccer and Sports World, and progressively rebranded as SportsDirect.com since 2007 after the company's domain name but has now switch back to just "SPORTS DIRECT".[90] It is also the sponsor of St James' Park, home of Premier League football team Newcastle United, since 2009[91]
  6. ^ Bought by Frasers Group out of administration in January 2024, a majority stake was then reacquired by the original founders in June 2024 leaving Frasers Group with a minority stake[92]
  7. ^ 12.6% share in holding company
  8. ^ 16.5% share in holding company
  9. ^ 11% share in holding company
  10. ^ 22.2% share in holding company
  11. ^ ⅓ share in holding company
  12. ^ 37% share[100]
  13. ^ Sold to SRI Sports Limited in 2016[101]
  14. ^ Sold to Shein in 2023
  15. ^ Sold to JJB Sports in December 2007[102]
  16. ^ Sold to Nike in 2007
  17. ^ Purchased by Gilesports and merged with SportsDirect.com
  18. ^ Acquired with purchase of Game
  19. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com
  20. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com
  21. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com
  22. ^ Merged with Brand Max
  23. ^ Merged with Lovell Rackets
  24. ^ Merged with USC
  25. ^ Merged with Sweatshop
  26. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com
  27. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com
  28. ^ Merged with SportsDirect.com

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Frasers Group plc overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 21 December 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "FY23 Results" (PDF). Frasers Group. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. ^ "About us". Frasers Group. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group unveils £100m incentive for staff". www.retailgazette.co.uk. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Frasers says it will strengthen its gym and fitness business Everlast with latest acquisition. - Retail Gazette". www.retailgazette.co.uk. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. ^ Lin, Binshan; Hastings, Deborah Ann; Martin, Christopher (November 1994). "Shoplifting in Retail Clothing Outlets". International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management. 22 (7): 24–29. doi:10.1108/09590559410069909. ISSN 0959-0552.
  7. ^ a b "SportsDirect.com Retail Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 21 July 1997. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  8. ^ Finch, Julia (28 February 2007). "Flotation makes Sports Direct founder a billionaire". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  9. ^ Millar, Michael (12 September 2013). "How Sports Direct beat the opposition". BBC News. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  10. ^ Titcomb, James (24 October 2013). "Ashley sells £106m in Sports Direct shares". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Meggitt (UK): Constituent Deletion - Update: Changes in FTSE UK Index Series". 8 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  12. ^ "History". Sports Direct. 2012. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2016 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ a b "Revealed UK's first sports kit billionaire". The Times. 9 April 2006. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  14. ^ "Personal finance – How to grow your wealth and spend less money". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 November 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Sports Direct: timeline". The Guardian. London. 24 July 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  16. ^ Davey, Jenny (10 December 2006). "Ashley empire may be worth 25bn". The Times. Retrieved 23 May 2010.[dead link]
  17. ^ Fletcher, Richard (21 May 2006). "Billionaire sports tycoon plots move into Matalan". The Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  18. ^ "Mike Ashley agrees to buy Everlast". The Telegraph. 29 June 2007. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  19. ^ "Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2008.
  20. ^ Robinson, Gwen (24 January 2008). "Sports Direct's Ashley rebuilds Amer stake". Financial Times. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
  21. ^ a b "The JJB stores Sports Direct has bought". Daily Telegraph UK. London. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  22. ^ Wood, Zoe (1 October 2012). "Sports Direct thrashes out deal to buy 60 JJB Sports stores". Guardian UK. London. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  23. ^ "Sold JJB Sports stores inundated with shoppers". BBC News. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  24. ^ Grierson, Jamie; Williams, Holly (1 October 2012). "2,200 jobs go in JJB Sports deal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  25. ^ "Republic fashion chain bought by Sports Direct". BBC News. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  26. ^ Neville, Simon (18 July 2013). "2,000 Sports Direct staff to receive £100,000 bonus after record profits". The Guardian. London.
  27. ^ "Sports Direct buys 4.6% Debenhams stake". BBC. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  28. ^ "Sports Direct nets 5% stake in Debenhams". Sky News. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Sports Direct takes option on Debenhams stake". BBC News. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  30. ^ Wood, Zoe (27 December 2016). "Sports Direct sells Dunlop for $137m". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  31. ^ Butler, Sarah (29 December 2016). "Pension expert call for scrutiny over Sports Direct sale of Dunlop". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  32. ^ Julia Kollewe (13 July 2017). "Sports Direct buys 26% stake in Game Digital | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  33. ^ Farrell, Sean (5 October 2015). "Ambulances called to Sports Direct HQ more than 80 times in two years". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  34. ^ Goodley, Simon; Butler, Sarah (9 October 2015). "Sports Direct chief executive charged over USC administration". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  35. ^ O'Reilly, Noel (21 October 2015). "Company directors face criminal charges over redundancies". Personnel Today. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  36. ^ "Revealed: how Sports Direct effectively pays below minimum wage". The Guardian. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  37. ^ Ruddick, Graham (9 September 2015). "Sports Direct denies 'Dickensian practices' in face of investor revolt". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  38. ^ Graham Ruddick (31 December 2015). "Sports Direct's Mike Ashley promises £10m to pay staff above minimum wage". The Guardian.
  39. ^ "Sports Direct accused of yet another 'PR stunt' to distract from 'Victorian' work practices". Unite. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  40. ^ "Sports Direct's Mike Ashley agrees to pay staff national minimum wage from 2016". MSN. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  41. ^ Goodley, Simon (15 August 2016). "Sports Direct warehouse workers to receive back pay". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  42. ^ "Sports Direct 'to back-pay Derbyshire workers £1m'". BBC News. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  43. ^ Simon Goodley (28 March 2017). "Sports Direct workers paid less than minimum wage yet to get back pay | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Sports Direct 'bugged' our visit to Shirebrook warehouse, say MPs". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  45. ^ Martin, Alexander J. (8 February 2017). "Sports Direct hacked last year, and still hasn't told its staff of data breach". The Register. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  46. ^ Elias Jahshan (25 November 2019). "Sports Direct will soon rebrand to Frasers Group". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  47. ^ "Frasers: New boss of Sports Direct group could net £100m". BBC News. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Sports Direct owner Frasers Group scraps home working". BBC News. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  49. ^ Sarmiento, Alicia Reyes (27 April 2023). "Frasers Group to launch 'Frasers Plus', the new Amazon Prime?". FashionUnited. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  50. ^ "Frasers Plus | Pay in 3 and Earn Rewards When You Shop". frasersplus.tymit.com. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  51. ^ AltFi (31 January 2023). "Frasers Group launches new BNPL product with Tymit". AltFi. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  52. ^ Smith, Sophie (30 January 2023). "Frasers Group launches new Buy Now, Pay Later app". TheIndustry.fashion. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  53. ^ Osborne, Alistair (5 February 2004). "Game, set and match for Dunlop Slazenger". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  54. ^ a b c "Commission Decision No. 06-M-077/2016: Acquisition by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. of Shares in Dunlop Brands Limited, et al. and Assets Owned by Dunlop Sports Group Americas, Inc. - Philippine Competition Commission". phcc.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  55. ^ Osborne, Alistair (3 March 2004). "Ashley slips Karrimor brand in his rucksack". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Sports World tycoon mulls bid for Umbro". The Times. 17 July 2005. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  57. ^ "US giant Nike buys the Umbro diamonds". The Scotsman. 24 October 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  58. ^ Kollewe, Julia (8 August 2005). "Sports World tycoon mulls bid for Umbro". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  59. ^ Butler, Sarah (5 December 2006). "Sports World owner sees right fit for Kangol hats". The Times. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  60. ^ News., Manchester Evening (13 July 2012). "Sports Direct acquires Flannels chain". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  61. ^ "Republic chain enters administration". BBC News. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  62. ^ a b "House of Fraser bought by Mike Ashley's Sports Direct for £90m". The Guardian. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  63. ^ "Evans Cycles sold to Mike Ashley's Sports Direct as part of pre-pack administration". The Independent. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  64. ^ "Mike Ashley buys Sofa.com for "nominal sum"". Retail Gazette. 1 February 2019.
  65. ^ "Mike Ashley wins race to buy Jack Wills". BBC. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  66. ^ "Mike Ashley buys long-time rival's sports business". BBC News. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  67. ^ "House of Fraser owner threatens landlords with store closures over rent". The Guardian. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  68. ^ Fildes, Nic (6 December 2020). "Mike Ashley makes eleventh-hour play for Debenhams". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  69. ^ Nazir, Sahar (8 December 2020). "How can Mike Ashley's Frasers Group revive Debenhams? - Retail Gazette". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  70. ^ Kollewe, Julia (7 December 2020). "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group in talks to buy collapsed Debenhams". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  71. ^ Szajna-Hopgood, Ava (21 December 2020). "Debenhams gift cards expire as Mike Ashley considers empty stores". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  72. ^ "Jenners: Building's owner says store 'will remain' despite Frasers move". BBC News. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  73. ^ Butler, Sarah (8 February 2021). "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group sells stake in French Connection". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  74. ^ "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group doubles hit it expects from Covid to £200m". The Guardian. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  75. ^ "Frasers Group buys Studio Retail out of administration for £27m". InternetRetailing. 25 February 2022.
  76. ^ WW, FashionNetwork com. "Fraser's sells US-based Bobs and Eastern Mountain Sports". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  77. ^ "Frasers buys online retailer Missguided for £20m". 1 June 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  78. ^ "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group buys London tailor Gieves & Hawkes". The Guardian. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  79. ^ Butler, Sarah (6 June 2023). "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group raises stake in Asos to nearly 9%". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  80. ^ Wright, Georgia (20 June 2023). "Frasers makes strategic investment in Boohoo and Currys - Retail Gazette". www.retailgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  81. ^ Cahill, Helen (21 December 2023). "Frasers finds perfect Match for push into luxury fashion". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  82. ^ Schulz, Madeleine (7 March 2024). "Frasers Group to shut down Matches after two months". Vogue Business. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  83. ^ Hu, Zoe (10 April 2024). "Frasers Group to acquire Dutch retailer Twin Sport". Drapers. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  84. ^ "Mulberry: Mike Ashley's Frasers Group makes offer for handbag maker". BBC News. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  85. ^ Conti, Samantha (24 October 2024). "Frasers Abandons Mulberry Bid, Begins Pursuit of Boohoo Group". WWD. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  86. ^ "Mike Ashley locked in legal row with TK Maxx over Brand Max name". Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  87. ^ "Frasers Brands". frasers.group. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  88. ^ "Sneakerboy Sold to UK Retail Group". Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  89. ^ a b Major European expansion for Sports Direct on Insider Media, 29 May 2013
  90. ^ "Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Sports Direct International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  91. ^ "Newcastle reveal new stadium name". BBC News. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  92. ^ "Frasers Group welcomes back WIT Fitness founders ahead of relaunch". FashionUnited. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  93. ^ a b "Frasers Group lifts stakes in Boohoo, Asos". Sharecast. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  94. ^ Jolly, Jasper (24 June 2024). "Frasers buys THG's Coggles website as they unveil partnership deal". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  95. ^ "My Bag About Us". 30 September 2024.
  96. ^ "Frasers Group snaps up Studio Retail". 25 February 2022.
  97. ^ "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group buys Studio Retail out of administration". The Guardian. 25 February 2022.
  98. ^ Sensi, Jasdip (13 July 2023). "Frasers Group increases stakes in N Brown and Currys". Internet Retailing. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  99. ^ Morgan, Aoife (27 June 2023). "Frasers ups stake in AO World and Currys - Retail Gazette". www.retailgazette.co.uk.
  100. ^ "Mike Ashley's Frasers Group increases stake in Mulberry". The Guardian. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  101. ^ Zoe Wood (27 December 2016). "Sports Direct sells Dunlop for $137m | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  102. ^ Hall, James; Fletcher, Richard (19 December 2007). "Ashley sells Original Shoe Company to JJB". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sports Direct.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frasers_Group&oldid=1254817626"