UK company profit warnings at three year high, says report July 27, 2014 The number of profit warnings issued by FTSE 100 companies was at a three-year high in the first quarter, according to a report by Ernst & Young. In its quarterly Analysis of UK Profit Warnings report, the consultancy firm revealed that companies listed on the London Stock Exchange issued a total of 74 warnings [...]
London Report: Economic data puts focus on UK housing market and growth June 9, 2014 ECONOMIC data out this week is set to shine a light on the UK’s steady return to health after the recession. The Office for National Statistics will tomorrow release April’s manufacturing data, which is forecast to show a 0.3 per cent rise in output. Construction output data – also likely to show a rise for [...]
As Burberry faces a shareholder revolt over chief Christopher Bailey’s pay, is he worth it? July 10, 2014 Qing Wang, professor of marketing and innovation at Warwick Business School, says Yes. The success of Burberry is largely attributable to its seamless combination of creativity with tradition, which many think epitomises the essence of Britishness. Its chief executive Christopher Bailey is highly experienced (he worked as a designer at Gucci, then as creative director [...]
Radley plots ambitious growth plans after strong sales figures May 11, 2014 RADLEY, the purveyor of handbags stamped with its famous Scottish Terrier logo, is set to follow in the footsteps of other British fashion brands by pushing into Asia to tap the region’s burgeoning middle class consumers. The private equity backed company, which started life on a market stall in Camden, is eyeing ambitious growth plans [...]
Pirc attacks Mulberry for failing to put incentive scheme to vote September 1, 2013 PIRC, the influential shareholder group, has accused Mulberry of “serious governance failure” for not putting its pay report to a vote at its annual meeting this Wednesday. Although the luxury retailer is not required as an Aim-listed group to present a remuneration report, “it is considered to be best practice”, Pirc said. Mulberry declined to [...]
The 2014 Commonwealth Games, and five other reasons Glasgow is still city of culture July 23, 2014 The Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow last night and over the next two weeks tens of thousands of Londoners will make their way to the cultural heart of Scotland. They come as Scotland edges ever closer – according to the polls – to independence, giving the international showcase even more significance. But unlike other cities [...]
What you need to know before the open March 20, 2014 Following a broadly favourable Budget yesterday, then something of a curveball from Janet Yellen – her suggestions about the course of interest rates unsettling markets, European bourses are expected lower today, tracking Asian and US counterparts. Markets sold off sharply on talk that the Fed could raise rates by the spring of next year, and [...]
Bottom Line: Overseas is the only place for luxury to grow December 5, 2013 IN THE UK, Mulberry is usually mentioned in the same breath as Burberry, with both brands attracting big name stars to their catwalk shows and campaigns, and copycat handbags rife on the high street. But the comparison is somewhat unfair. Burberry – with a market cap of £6.5bn and 206 stores (excluding concessions) worldwide – [...]
The City’s got a brand new leather bag February 5, 2014 Satchels are back in business, showing off great British craftsmanship at its finest ORIGINALLY made in the 17th century to help Oxbridge students lug their books around, the humble satchel has nevertheless made an unexpected comeback in 21st century London. The buckled bags hav always been a distinctly British success story, made with hardy leather [...]
From the City to the catwalk: Not such a road less travelled February 13, 2014 LOVE isn’t the only thing in the air today, there’s also a heavy whiff of chic – London is about to be taken over by spindly legged, spectacularly-heeled, coconut water-drinking fashionistas as London Fashion Week kicks off. Over the next few days Somerset House will play host to the likes of Mulberry, Burberry and Vivienne [...]