Relationship Marketing Strategy and implementation

when he announced a 67 per cent jump in pre-tax profits for the year
1993/94, from £1.8 million to £3 million on a 13 per cent rise in sales.
Analysts and the financial press were not happy (see Figure 6.1.2). They
wanted a fuller explanation of why the company had declined to issue a
regional breakdown of profits, but none was forthcoming.
Blakeway Webb, now elevated to the all-powerful position of Executive
Chairman, informed the City that a new Chief Executive for Laura Ashley
would not be sought until a thorough cost review had been completed,

450 Relationship Marketing

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Figure 6.1.1 Laura Ashley Holdings Plc – share price and dividend yield,

1985–94.

Source: Datastream

Share price from 29/1/85 to 31/1/95, weekly.

Dividend yield from 29/1/85 to 31/1/95, weekly.