John Lewis exclusive: ’40 per cent of our profits will come from non-retail by 2030′ June 11, 2021 High Street giant John Lewis looks back on a difficult year. In March, the 157-year old partnership announced it would not reopen eight stores after lockdown restrictions eased, putting almost 1,500 jobs at risk. The value of John Lewis stores dropped to almost half the value they were before this year’s and last year’s writedowns, due [...]
Shoppers opted for premium products this Christmas as grocery inflation hit 3.5 per cent January 5, 2022 Grocery sales hit £11.7bn over the Christmas period, as shoppers were keen to make the most of the festive period after Covid restrictions hampered celebrations last year. Shoppers spent record amounts on supermarkets’ premium own brand products, with £627m spent on pricier items over the four weeks to 26 December. This was an increase of [...]
Supermarket fridge doors could save 1 per cent UK electricity use November 7, 2021 Putting doors on fridges in the top five supermarkets in the UK could cut the nation’s total electricity usage by 1 per cent, according to reports. The Environmental Investigation Agency, an international NGO, said supermarkets could save up to a third on their own electricity bills too, according to the BBC which first reported the [...]
Aviation recovery on its way, BA’s owner assures November 23, 2021 Luis Gallego, chief executive of British Airways’ (BA) owner IAG, is convinced aviation recovery will get back to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, as a result of the easing of air travel restrictions and the opening of transatlantic travel. Speaking yesterday at the Airlines UK conference in Westminster, Gallego revealed that “transatlantic bookings have reached almost [...]
How to throw the perfect Eurovision 2023 Party: your food, drinks and outfits sorted May 12, 2023 Can the UK beat last year’s runner-up placing to land the title? Probably not – but it’s time for Eurovision 2023, so let’s party anyway Nil pois? If last year’s runnerup placing is anything to go by, the UK may have finally relegated to history our abysmal showing at the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It [...]
How Vivino democratised wine January 26, 2022 For wine drinkers Vivino has been a disruptive and democratising force. I have often seen supermarket shoppers whip out their phones to check the rating and flavour profile of a wine before making a purchase. Two heads are better than one so they say, so just think what a community of 54m can do. The [...]
Ex-CEO of Coca-Cola EU and founder of Café Rouge join Deliveroo’s board April 28, 2021 Deliveroo has confirmed a board shuffle today by hiring two new non-executive directors, to help keep up with its growing partnerships. Dominique Reiniche and Karen Jones are set to join the board, just as the company is to ramp up its online delivery capabilities with Waitrose. “They join at an important time for Deliveroo as [...]
Clipper Logistics offers 200 new jobs after John Lewis contract win August 16, 2021 Clipper Logistics today said it has signed a new contract with John Lewis which promises to create 200 new jobs. Clipper said it will provide additional e-commerce and store replenishment services to the UK department store chain from its new distribution centre. The Leeds-based company, which provides value-added logistics solutions, e-fulfilment and returns management services [...]
Starbucks joins Deliveroo for app orders October 5, 2021 Coffee chain Starbucks and delivery app Deliveroo have joined forces. More than 400 of the chain’s stores are available to order on the Deliveroo app from today, with more stores being added throughout the month. Londoners can now order coffees alongside sandwiches and other menu items. Other areas involved include Birmingham and Manchester. Standard delivery [...]
Wine diary: My lunch with the Tom Selleck of the wine world November 17, 2021 Celebration was in the air at the first Winemakers Lunch in over two years. Hosted by Top Selection director Akos Forczek, it took place at the oenophile haven that is 67 Pall Mall’s private dining room. The guest of honour was Peter Mondavi Jr who, baring some resemblance to an even-more-twinkly Tom Selleck, took us [...]