Retailers appeared prominently in the Sunday Times Rich List once again with Topshop tycoon Sir Philip Green’s wealth increasing and value retailers ranking in the top 100.
Green and Lady Green amassed £3.88bn in the year, up from £3.3bn the year before. Green sold a 25% stake in Topshop and Topman in the period in a deal that valued the businesses at £2bn. Arcadia also had a stronger year, with profits rising 25% to £166.9m. The Green family, whose stake in the fashion group is worth £2.08bn, were ranked 16th place, up from 17th last year.
Value retailers saw their wealth jump in the year. Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora were catapulted into the top 100 after selling a “significant” stake in their value chain B&M Bargains, valuing the company at £965m. Their collective wealth stands at £1.1bn, which puts them 73rd on the list. Last year they placed at 183 with £487m.
Rivals Home Bargains owners Tom Morris and family also climbed into the top 100 placing at 62 compared with 136 the previous year. Their wealth jumped £600m to £1.22bn.
Galen and George Weston and family were the highest ranking retailers in the list, at number 11. Their wealth increased £750m to £6.65bn. The family owns Loblaw in Canada, as well as UK retailers Selfridges and Associated British Foods, which operates Primark.
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley saw his wealth rise £550m to £2.3bn, making him the 31st richest person in the UK.
Phones4U founder John Caudwell wealth stayed flat at £1.5bn. He slipped from 42 to 48 in the rankings.
River Island owners Bernard Lewis and family dropped from 58 to 60 as their wealth stayed flat at £1.25bn.
Other retailers in the top 100 were former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed (67); DFS founder Lord Kirkham (67); Dunelm owners Will Adderley and family (73); Morrisons founders Ken Morrison and family (83); Matalan owners John Hargreaves and family (84); and Specsavers founders Douglas and Dame Mary Perkins (97).
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