French Connection Share Discussion Threads

[zoolook] 12/5/2016 09:09

Mr Dunelm didn't show his hand and lots of retail gloom.

Slide back down?

[she-ra] 11/5/2016 12:29

I think the mms want stock. They're offering above the mid price for shares.

Big order being filled maybe?

[eeza] 27/4/2016 11:32

Back onto the 200DMA.

[zoolook] 15/4/2016 10:27

Given that WA has stepped back into CEO role at Dunelm why not get Dunelm to buy FCCN if that's his intention?

Anyway enough interesting things going on and Im back in now FWIW

[harebridge] 15/4/2016 08:45

I'm talking about the way the businesses are run. These old school companies are finished- they just couldn't compete in this modern social media savvy world.From Paul Scott:I read a fascinating research note from Peel Hunt yesterday, on retailing. Their analysis on that sector in particular is utterly brilliant. Their argument is that there is no such thing as a retailing sector. There are actually diverse businesses at different stages of life. The established businesses are telling us that consumer confidence is weak, demand is low, etc. Yet the economic data says the opposite - consumers are enjoying good increases in disposable income in fact.So why the disconnect? It's all down to competition - relatively new entrants are eating the lunch of the established players, if they don't keep up with a strong online offering, and constant innovation with products & services.So you hardly ever see any retailer comment that their products weren't good enough, and that the competition are doing a better job than themselves! Instead they moan about demand being weak, Brexit causing uncertainty (please! How ridiculous), and of course that good old catch all - the weather hasn't been right.- See more at:

[she-ra] 14/4/2016 22:23

harebridge - Yes Burberry is making way for its direct competitor BooHoo. Of course it is.

More interesting is that Will Alderly a 5% shareholder in French Connection has just sold £60 million worth of shares in Dunelm. I wonder what he is planning to do with that money?

[ali47fish] 14/4/2016 17:30

nobody has commented on today's fall? anyone know why?

[tmfmayn] 08/4/2016 14:39

multiplural -- interesting comparison with Mulberry. Thanks for highlighting it.

I see from the archives Roger Saul owned 42% beneficial of MUL prior to an investment by Challice in 2000, where the extra shares issued gave Challice 42% and watered down Saul's holding to 24%. Challice then ousted Saul two years later.

Seems like Challice's investment was used to clear MUL's debts, which I guess were proving problematic with the firm losing money at that time.

Not sure if Marks will be keen to water down his stake -- unless FCCN runs out of cash and he becomes desperate.

[hutch_pod] 08/4/2016 13:14

Ahh I see, yes.. esp as the aura from the WA purchases fades a little.

[tiswas] 08/4/2016 13:09

On reflection I think it must be in sympathy with the Bonmarche results out today.

[hutch_pod] 08/4/2016 12:51

Not sure but the sub 40p weakness didn't last long and, and a couple of large chunks (100k and 500k) appeared on the bid too.

[smicker] 23/3/2016 10:31

DFS results out today. We get a mention

"We have continued to pursue a number of initiatives that are successfully increasing our appeal to a broader range of customers in our market place to ensure our continued market leadership in all customer segments. Our Exclusive Brands collections have proved a notable success, contributing both to our retail sales growth with an increase of 54% in the period, and to volumes in our three UK factories, where the majority of these ranges are produced. We have extended our Exclusive Brands partnership agreements with French Connection, House Beautiful and Country Living"

[multiplural] 22/3/2016 21:08

It is possible to take over FCCN even with Marks 40+%. Have a look back at Mulberry where the founder, Roger Saul, with 43% felt secure only to see the majority go to a buyer.

[zoolook] 22/3/2016 19:57

Marks' doesn't think that way otherwise he would have funded taking the company private years ago with the cash pile. At least that's what I would have done

[she-ra] 22/3/2016 19:40

zoolook - He might make him an offer he cant refuse. You accumulate cheap before a bid to make the takeover much cheaper.

[zoolook] 22/3/2016 17:49

With Marks' near majority holding I cant see how he can be anything more than a punter just with far deeper pockets than the rest of us.

[tmfmayn] 18/3/2016 12:41

Yep, looks like Marion has helped him secure another million of shares

[hibberts] 18/3/2016 12:33

WA just bought another 1%.

[tmfmayn] 18/3/2016 09:33

Companies House reports Marion Sears and Darren Wright have been appointed directors at WA Capital, the investment vehicle of Will Adderley.

The appointment of Marion Sears is interesting. She is a non-exec at Dunelm and Dumelm’s website cites she has “extensive City, investor and banking experience including mergers and acquisitions.”

WA Capital essentially holds 30% of Dunelm on behalf of Will Adderley and family, a few property investments and now the 6% FCCN stake.

Idle speculation — it is difficult to see why Mr Adderley would need the help of Marion Sears at WA Capital, unless he requires her “extensive City, investor and banking experience” to assist with acquiring further FCCN shares :-)

[she-ra] 17/3/2016 14:51

That £465k buy is pretty big.

[hibberts] 16/3/2016 14:54

They have an agenda and don't take to many chances.

[ali47fish] 16/3/2016 14:49

w capital are adding- do they see someting we dont?

[she-ra] 16/3/2016 12:27

miti 1000 - Thanks for that. He must have bought some of them before yesterdays results for as far I can see that many weren't traded yesterday.