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THE Reject Shop has turned its fortunes around, with a 43 per cent increase in profits reversing its decline.

Children's movies in the school holidays, The reject shop will supply popcorn and lollies. Taylah Goble (18).
Children's movies in the school holidays, The reject shop will supply popcorn and lollies. Taylah Goble (18).

1. SYDNEY — Profits are up 43 per cent at discount retailer The Reject Shop, which has just released its results for the second half of 2015.

Store format and product changes have won the retailer’s return to profit growth, with same store sales rising 4.4 per cent.

The $18.3 million net half yearly profit came on the back of sales of $424.65 million, up 5.6 per cent — a turnaround from a 3.3 per cent fall in the previous corresponding period.

2. BANGKOK — Australian health and fitness operator Jetts is focusing on the Thai urban middle class by opening its first commercial gym in Thailand.

3. HAVANA — American and Cuban officials have signed an arrangement to restore scheduled air service between the two countries after half a century, setting off competition among US airlines for the best routes to the Caribbean island.

4. TRENTON, New Jersey — Drugmaker Pfizer Inc has swung to a fourth-quarter financial loss, instead of a modest profit, as a result of a just-announced charge to settle a long-running federal case over reimbursements for its former blockbuster heartburn pill.

5. PARIS — Tyre maker Michelin says its profits rose last year as high demand from booming car markets in western Europe and North America drove sales growth.

6. OAKVILLE, Ontario — Restaurant Brands International’s fourth-quarter profit has beaten expectations, as a key sales figure rose at Burger King and Tim Hortons.

7. NEW YORK — Alibaba has bought nearly 33 million shares of online daily deal service Groupon.

8. WASHINGTON — A US federal agency has rejected a protest by Boeing and Lockheed Martin and will uphold the Air Force’s decision to award a lucrative new bomber contract to Northrop Grumman.

Read related topics:Sydney

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/markets/world-markets/finance-news-you-need-to-know-today/news-story/ba3874b17ef23d2c4323a73d1077a0a5