United Kingdom
Industry Issues
Our specialist Retail team prides itself on pre-empting issues in the industry and offering tailored solutions to help move your business forward.
A new lease of life you could do without?
A proposal by the IASB to bring operating leases on balance sheet could bring about wide ranging changes for retailers. As ever with new accounting pronouncements, there are some devilish bits of detail.
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A new lease of life you could do without?
Navigating the Upturn
As the recovery takes hold and volumes pick up, businesses will face new challenges. Stephen Cooney, Director at BDO Business Restructuring, considers how cost reduction and performance improvement will continue to play a vital role.
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Franchising
The best brands know how to use the power of the franchise model to drive sales volume with minimum investment. Whether attempting to open up new markets or energising existing ones, franchising can be deployed tactically to address immediate issues or as a core strategy for the business. BDO has franchise experts who can help businesses ascertain where and how franchising could assist with addressing current business challenges.
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Acquisitions, disposals and fundraising
Investors have continued to show considerable interest in retail despite the challenging trading conditions. Recently a number of high profile deals have been completed with retailers such as Cath Kidston, Pets at Home and Kiddicare being sold at respectable multiples.
When companies are approached by potential purchasers or intend to sell their business in the future, it is imperative that they plan in advance.
The process of targeting the right sources of debt and equity funds and raising and optimising finance is complex. Businesses need to establish shareholder’s financial objectives and groom the business to maximise value.
Whether buying or selling, we offer specialist advice throughout the process, from day one - discussing your options, undertaking valuations and identifying potential acquirers or bid targets - through to completing the transaction.
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The Future of UK GAAP - Implications for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
A new framework for accounting could lead to big changes in the financial reporting for retail, leisure and hospitality companies. The UK's Accounting Standards Board (ASB) have recently issued proposals to do away with UK GAAP in its current form for non-listed companies and groups and introduce a cut down version of International Financial Reporting Standards for use in the UK, known as the FRSME.
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Personal Accounts - Another hidden cost for the retailer?
Not heard about Personal Accounts yet? If not then you need to get up to speed! The Government is introducing a new State occupational pension scheme, into which every employee in the UK, aged between 22 and 75 and earning more than £5,035 (in 2007 terms), will be automatically enrolled (unless the employer offers a ‘qualifying’ pension scheme).
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