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George owner Asda names new high-powered information chief to head “critical” IT push

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January 5, 2026

Asda has appointed Cal Corcoran as a key member of the UK value supermarket giant’s senior leadership team from today (5 January).

Asda

Carrying an impressive multi-industry CV, he becomes group chief information officer and will lead Asda’s Technology and Data teams as the business “continues to develop and optimise its systems following the culmination of the businesses separation project from [former US parent] Walmart”.

Corcoran brings over 25 years of IT leadership experience across industries “as diverse as big tech, financial services, civil aviation, oil & gas, telecoms and aerospace and defence”.

Having held senior technology roles at global organisations including Microsoft, Barclays, Gatwick Airport, BP, and Castrol, he brings “a wealth of IT transformation and delivery experience at scale in complex environments” Asda said.

And its executive chairman, Allan Leighton, added: “Our use of data and technology is a critical element of our business that enables us to show up for our customers in the ways they expect.

[He joins] the senior leadership team as we double down on our formula for growth as we head into 2026.”

Although Asda continued to struggle in August-released Q2 figures and with its important Christmas trading update expected soon, Corcoran will at least be hopeful the retailer’s George fashion and lifestyle banner will remain a beacon for the business as it continues to perform, rolls out new product, and gives George a bigger billing to increase fashion/lifestyle market share.

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Birkenstock reports strong sales amid calls for more clarity

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January 12, 2026

Birkenstock Holding Plc reported strong sales figures for the final months of 2025 as demand stays robust for its high-end sandals and clogs, despite the impact of a weaker US dollar and tariffs. 

Birkenstock is known for its comfort driven sandals – Birkenstock

Revenue rose to €402 million ($470 million) in the three months to December 30, roughly in line with analyst expectations and 18% higher in constant currency terms than a year earlier, according to preliminary results for the company’s fiscal first quarter. Birkenstock had disappointed investors last month when it forecast a slower pace of sales growth of as much as 15% in fiscal 2026.

Chief executive officer Oliver Reichert is trying to win over investors with his slow-but-steady approach to growth, making sure consumer demand for Birkenstock’s footwear always exceeds its production. That’s allowed the company to raise the average selling price of its shoes and avoid markdowns. 

He’s been criticised, though, for not giving enough information on Birkenstock’s performance and expectations. That’s one reason the stock has recently traded below its 2023 initial public offering price of $46, despite strong growth and profitability. The shares fell 28% in 2025.

“It’s clear that investors are not responding well to the ‘trust us, we know what we’re doing’ messaging from the company,” Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser said in a note last month. He has called Birkenstock “one of the best, if not the best, run companies” in his coverage, though he renewed his criticism of its financial messaging last week and cut his price target to $49 from $51.

Birkenstock’s first-quarter sales grew 11% on a reported basis, weighed down by the weaker US dollar compared to prior year, it said. Birkenstock reports earnings in euros but pulls in about half of its revenue in the US dollar. That situation- and the tariff burden- will continue in 2026, when Birkenstock expects adjusted earnings to exceed €700 million, it said last month.

Birkenstock is currently taking part in the ICR Consumer Conference in Orlando and plans to host a capital markets day on January 28. It will offer full first-quarter results on February 12, it said.



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Lift off: Amazon gets go-ahead for UK drone delivery

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January 12, 2026

Global retail giant Amazon has been given the go-ahead to begin making deliveries by drones, initially with up to 10 flights an hour within the Darlington, County Durham, test area.

Amazon Prime

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved changes to airspace rules in the area around Darlington, where the company plans to offer the service to ‘drop’ parcels into customers’ gardens, reported The Telegraph newspaper.

But while Amazon could launch the service now, the company has yet to announce a date for the maiden flights. They will, however, operate from a local warehouse, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering packages in under two hours.

However, the report says Amazon has faced opposition from some local residents over potential noise pollution, and from model aircraft flyers, who warn it could interfere with their hobby.

The flights will take off from a helipad at Amazon’s local distribution centre, with the aircraft flying at between 55 and 85 metres in the air with drones “designed to minimise noise”. It noted that the disruption will be less than the noise produced by delivery drivers.

Amazon added: “This is an exciting step towards bringing drone delivery to customers in Darlington. We’re continuing to work closely with Darlington council and the Civil Aviation Authority on this innovative first for the UK.”

The company had applied to the CAA last March last year and hoped to begin deliveries before Christmas, but the regulator did not confirm approval until recently.

Amazon’s permission for drone flights is temporary, lasting until June, although the company could apply for a 12-month extension, the report noted.

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Goldman, JPMorgan, and UBS lead Golden Goose’s buyout debt

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Bloomberg

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January 12, 2026

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., and UBS Group AG are leading a debt financing deal backing a Chinese firm’s acquisition of Italian high-end sneaker producer Golden Goose Group SpA.

A display of custom Golden Goose sneakers – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

The deal could total between €800 million to €900 million ($935 million to $1.05 billion) of debt and other lenders are expected to join the bank group, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the deal is private. 

HSG, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China, agreed to buy the maker of $500 dollar distressed sneakers from private equity firm Permira Holdings LLP, in a deal said to value the company at slightly over €2.5 billion, Bloomberg reported in December. 

The financing is expected to come in the form of high-yield bonds, possibly floating-rate notes, in line with Golden Goose’s previous debt, the people said. 

It is due to launch for investors to buy toward the end of the first quarter, they added, and could attract global high-yield investors, including Asian funds, seeking to play in a high profile brand backed by an Asian owner, one of the people said. 

Singapore-based investment firm Temasek Holdings Ltd will take a minority stake in Golden Goose, and Permira will also maintain a minority shareholding.

Representatives for Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, UBS, and Permira declined to comment. Golden Goose, HSG and Temasek didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment.

The deal is one of the most prominent purchases of a European luxury brand by a Chinese buyer, and one of the biggest in the sector this year, ahead of Prada SpA’s roughly €1.25 billion acquisition of fashion house Versace. 

 



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