Fears for UK economy knock FTSE lower in volatile trading November 16, 2011 AFTER yet another rollercoaster session, Britain’s top share index ended a touch lower yesterday, as upbeat US economic data proved a welcome distraction for investors gripped by concern over the UK economy and Europe’s debt crisis. The UK benchmark closed down 8.42 points, or 0.2 per cent, at 5,509.02, after a session in which it [...]
HOLLYWOOD A-LISTERS HIRED BY M&S August 31, 2011 MARKS & Spencer has unveiled a new marketing campaign starring Hollywood A-listers Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Ryan Reynolds. Transformers star Huntington-Whiteley and romcom actor Reynolds will be used to plug the firm’s Autograph collection. The move by boss Marc Bolland is aimed at widening the retailer’s international appeal.
Forget the Champs-Élysées: British consumers have lost their joie de vivre April 3, 2011 THERE was much fanfare last week when Marks and Spencer returned to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. But even if the French flock to the British retailer in droves, which seems somewhat improbable to us, their joie de vivre isn’t being shared by domestic customers. Like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter are expected to be off by [...]
M&S unveils £600m store revamp as Bolland looks to put his stamp on retailer after Rose September 12, 2011 MARKS & Spencer boss Marc Bolland yesterday laid out detailed plans for a £600m stores revamp. Bolland said at a presentation at the retailer’s High Street Kensington branch that M&S will open 14 pilot stores in October incorporating refurbished designs and new store layouts with deli and bakery counters for its food section. M&S today [...]
M&S sales in surprise lift April 6, 2011 MARKS and Spencer yesterday lifted some of the gloom surrounding the retail sector with a slim sales rise – but the company warned that times will get tougher. The chain – which had been expected to report a sales slump – was given a boost from its food section. Overall its UK like-for-like sales rose [...]
M&S sales in surprise lift April 6, 2011 MARKS and Spencer yesterday lifted some of the gloom surrounding the retail sector with a slim sales rise – but the company warned that times will get tougher. The chain – which had been expected to report a sales slump – was given a boost from its food section. Overall its UK like-for-like sales rose [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 27, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES PLEA TO BRUSSELS OVER AUDIT SHAKE-UP The heads of several midsized audit networks have issued a last-ditch appeal to the European Commssion not to dilute sweeping proposals aimed at reducing the dominance of the four biggest accountants and improving audit quality. In a joint interview with the Financial Times, the chief executives called [...]
Short sellers aim for Next and Glencore on FTSE 100 October 3, 2011 FASHION retailer Next was the most shorted stock on the FTSE 100 in September as investors bet its share price would be dented by further pain on the high street, data from Data Explorers yesterday showed. Investors, primarily hedge funds, borrowed close to eight per cent of Next’s shares to take short positions as retail [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 6, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES SPAIN TO SEEK REDRESS OVER E. COLI CLAIM Spain will demand “100 per cent” compensation for the damage suffered by its farmers over unfounded accusations that they were the source of the E. coli outbreak in Germany that has killed 22 people and made thousands sick. Rosa Aguilar, Spain’s environment and rural affairs [...]
High street brands in fight for middle ground October 11, 2011 ACCORDING to YouGov’s Household Economic Activity Tracker, 55 per cent of UK consumers are more price conscious than they were a month ago, compared to only two per cent who are less price conscious than in September. With the uncertainty about the economy continuing and people keen to make sure they are not overspending, winning [...]