Argos Retail Group and Experian to demerge
GUS is to separate its retail arm Argos Retail Group (ARG) and its credit scoring and financial services business Experian in December, it has been reported.
Although plans to separate the two businesses were announced last May, chief executive John Peace has not disclosed the likely timetable for the move and the company has declined to comment on today's speculation that its financial advisers are working towards a December deadline.
Analysts have valued ARG at£3.6 billion and Experian at£6.4 billion, and had been pressing for the company to demerge its businesses sooner rather than later. The weak state of the retail market also raised concerns that GUS would put off a split until next year.
Following a strategic review that began in 2002, the group sold its majority 66 per cent stake in luxury brand Burberry last December.
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