Arcadia plans to open nearly 50 new stores across all its brands this year, reports The Times.
Owner Philip Green hinted he might make another acquisition but he said only a maniac would thinK about doing anything this year. He said there might be opportunities next year.
The Guardian says Green’s decision to award himself a £1.2bn payout from Arcadia is likely to reignite speculation that he wants to resuscitate his plan to take over Marks & Spencer (M&S).
The Independent’s Outlook column suspects Green’s acquisition-making will be more of the bolt-on variety from here on in rather than “the land-grab ambition of another M&S”.
Arcadia is the UK’s largest clothing retail group with eight brands and more than 2000 shops. Arcadia opened 95 new stores last year.
References: The Times 21/10/05 page 3, page 57 (Commentary), page 66, Financial Times 21/10/05 page 1, page 20 (Lex), page 23, The Daily Telegraph 21/10/05 page 1, page B1, page B4-B5, The Guardian 21/10/05 page
