FTSE down as China growth slows April 13, 2012 The FTSE 100 edged down in early trading as investors digested data showing a slowdown of growth in China’s economy. Official figures released overnight showed that China’s economy grew at its slowest rate in almost three years. Gross domestic product increased by a rate of 8.1 per cent in the first quarter, down from 8.9 [...]
John Lewis blueprint for public sector July 10, 2011 DAVID Cameron is set to introduce plans for a string of mutuals in the image of John Lewis, in a move he hopes will shake up the public sector and hand “choice and control” to communities. The mutuals are planned to cover all aspects of the public sector including education, healthcare, council services and private [...]
SuperGroup shakes up team at the top March 20, 2012 SUPERGROUP has added two new executives to its board as the fashion house looks to strengthen its management team and expand its presence overseas. The company behind the Superdry brand said that Susanne Given, formerly John Lewis’ director of fashion and beauty, will take up the newly created role of chief operating officer next month. [...]
Debenhams sales up March 20, 2012 Debenhams, Britain’s second largest department store group, showed its resilience in tough markets with an improving sales performance in its first half. The firm, which trades from 167 stores in the UK, Ireland and Denmark and over 60 franchise stores in 24 international markets, said on Tuesday sales at stores open over a year rose [...]
RAPID RESPONSES January 18, 2012 J Lewis oversold I agree with Allister Heath on Nick Clegg’s vision of a “John Lewis” society. [Clegg’s Contradictions, Tuesday]. There is a horrible dollop of survivor bias in the discussion about employee ownership. People talk about John Lewis, but by only analysing firms that are still in existence (ignoring all those mutuals that have [...]
John Lewis sales jump 20pc July 1, 2011 John Lewis posted a 20 per cent jump in sales bucking the retail gloom on the high street. The retailer said that in the week to 25 June every one of its stores took more cash in its tills than a year before. Although analysts warned part of the impact was because of the success [...]
Company car rate hiked to raise £1.6bn March 21, 2012 CHANCELLOR George Osborne unveiled a hike in company car tax rates yesterday in a move he claimed will raise an extra £1.6bn in revenues over the next five years. The plan to clobber companies with fleet cars for more tax came just minutes after Prime Minister David Cameron had identified a booming car industry as [...]
Bunzl shares at record high as profits rise February 27, 2012 BUSINESS supplies distributor Bunzl showed its recession-proof qualities with a greater-than-expected 11 per cent rise in yearly pre-tax profit yesterday, boosting its already outperforming shares to a record high. FTSE 100-listed Bunzl, which supplies supermarkets, hospitals and hotels with products ranging from carrier bags to toilet rolls, reported a 2011 pre-tax profit of £306.1m on [...]
The Deputy Prime Minister thinks we are irresponsible – the feeling is mutual, Nick January 16, 2012 NICK Clegg wants to give tax breaks to John Lewis style, employee-owned companies. This is just the latest salvo in the “responsible capitalism” debate. But when a government dictates which forms of capitalism are responsible, and which ones aren’t, it overrides the individual morality of its citizens – and not for the better. After all, [...]
John Lewis gets Obama boost June 2, 2011 JOHN Lewis yesterday reported sales increases of 30 per cent on tennis tables following last week’s photographs of US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron playing a friendly match. The pair rolled their sleeves up to play against students, competing on a visit to the Globe Academy school in South London. John Lewis’ [...]