Ukip party conference 2014: Three reasons Ukip might have the best brand in politics September 26, 2014 After Ed Miliband’s much-maligned slip-ups, this weekend it’s Nigel Farage’s turn to show the world he’s a man of the people, at the Ukip party conference. Farage may be mocked by some – but during his tenure as its leader, he has transformed it from a party on the margins of the political system [...]
Ex-Boots boss Richard Baker to take up chair at Whitbread July 16, 2014 Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread has appointed one of its non-executive directors, the former Boots chief executive Richard Baker, to take over as chairman. Baker, who has sat on the board since 2009, will replace Whitbread’s longserving chairman Anthony Habgood in September. Habgood announced in January that he would be retiring after nine [...]
Asda considers new George home brand October 9, 2013 BRITAIN’S second largest retailer Asda is considering launching homeware under the George brand. The Walmart–owned group has applied for the trademark George.home according to filings published last week on the Intellectual Property Office website. A spokesperson for Asda refused to confirm whether it was planning to launch a new homeware brand and said: “We register [...]
Tesco’s credit rating downgraded by S&P amid profit fears August 8, 2014 Tesco suffered a fresh blow yesterday after Standard and Poor’s (S&P) downgraded the troubled supermarket’s credit rating over concerns of rising competition in its home market and its recent profit warning. S&P said it had cut its long-term rating on Tesco to “BBB” from “BBB+”, but reiterated its “A-2” short-term corporate credit rating on the [...]
Sainsbury’s to expand clothing sales by trialling online launch June 9, 2014 Sainsbury is to take on its high street and supermarket rivals by selling its clothing brand Tu online for the first time. The retailer said yesterday that it will pilot selling clothing to around 200 “invited” customers in the Midlands in August, which if successful would then be rolled out nationwide. It comes after people [...]
Morrisons ramps up assault on rival supermarkets after slashing more prices June 23, 2014 Morrisons has launched a fresh round of price cuts today as the troubled supermarket group steps up its efforts to win back shoppers defecting to cheaper rivals. Britain’s fourth-largest grocer will cut the price of a further 135 grocery and household products today by an average 14 per cent. “These are permanent price cuts, not [...]
South African retail tycoon eyes UK move with new shell vehicle June 9, 2014 SOUTH African retail magnate Christo Wiese has created a shell company in the UK, in a sign that he is poised to make a move on the UK high street. According to Companies House, the name Pepkor UK was set up earlier this year. Former Asda chief executive Andy Bond and his business partner Mark [...]
The financial A to Z of Scottish independence – CNBC Comment September 15, 2014 A new, independent Scotland might flummox a foreign visitor. So it’s lucky this financial A to Z has turned up – even if some say it’s a parody of the Better Together campaign. A: Alex – Scotland’s official unit of currency, though largely superseded by an informal bartering system, where one barrel of oil [...]
Asda apologises for offensive mental patient Halloween costume September 26, 2013 Supermarket giant Asda has been forced to apologise after selling a "mental patient fancy dress" Halloween costume online. The costume, which included clothing, mock blood, a mask and imitation meat cleaver, has been withdrawn, following horrified reactions on Twitter. We removed the product from our website this afternoon but unfortunately the page may remain visible [...]
Danish discount retailer Netto teams up with Sainsbury’s in UK return June 20, 2014 Danish international discount grocery retailer Netto is returning to the UK, teaming up with Sainsbury's as the supermarket chain attempts to take on rivals Aldi and Lidl. This is an attempt by Sainsbury's to reposition itself, via Netto, to tackle the burgeoning discount store market that has grown rapidly in recent years and started [...]