Burberry first half profits jump November 15, 2011 Luxury goods group Burberry met forecasts with a 26 per cent rise in first-half profit, helped by buoyant tourist spending around the world, and kept its growth targets despite an uncertain economic backdrop. “We remain mindful of, and prepared to react to, any local or global uncertainties,” said the 155-year-old maker of raincoats and leather [...]
This tax will not fly: Don’t ground Britain’s growth November 17, 2011 THE chief executives of rival airlines Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, Ryanair and the IAG group – which includes British Airways – do not normally agree to share a platform. That they chose to yesterday morning – outlining their opposition to Air Passenger Duty (APD) – is a sign of how seriously the aviation sector takes this [...]
Reclaim the City from Robin Hood tax risks November 6, 2011 MUCH has been written in recent weeks about the protest camp outside St Paul’s and about the City of London Corporation’s attitude to it. I would like to take this opportunity to bring a degree of clarity to the situation. The City fully supports the democratic right to protest and at no point have we [...]
Chinese shoppers splash out after fashion week October 9, 2011 THE West End was boosted last month by record sales to Chinese shoppers in a wave of spending triggered by London Fashion Week. There was a 59 per cent increase in tax free shopping sales to tourists from the country in September compared with the previous month. The figures from Global Blue, which analyses shopping [...]
Art, history and pampering in New England’s capital February 12, 2012 Boston: the genteel city of academia, tea parties, clam chowder, Matt Damon, and for me at least, electric eels. I had come to Boston on a long weekend – a bit of sales shopping, sight-seeing and relaxing in this history-steeped city. Yet also to confirm something that had been a bit of a mystery for [...]
Hong Kong has a budget surplus – the UK could too October 10, 2011 WHEN Vince Cable arrived too late to hear Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang speak at a special dinner in London three weeks ago, some suggested he was saving face. Indeed, where would Cable have looked while Tsang was expounding on Hong Kong’s HK$71.3bn (£5.84bn) budget surplus? How does it feel to be the representative [...]
How Boisdale owner fell hard for Jamaica October 5, 2011 I HAD never been particularly desperate to visit Jamaica despite its proximity to Cuba – to which I am a frequent and enthusiastic visitor. In truth I imagined it to be overrun with tourists and relatively hostile. What I encountered, though, was completely different to what I had imagined. I certainly cannot claim to be [...]
EasyJet ups dividend as earnings rise September 22, 2011 EASYJET yesterday announced a £150m special dividend as the company raised profit guidance, thanks to a boost from business travellers and short-break tourists. The airline announced a total payout of £190m – including a year-end dividend of £40m – for the year to 30 September. Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “When we announced our strategy [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING October 25, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES SHAREHOLDERS IN EVOLUTION BACK BID BY INVESTEC Investec’s £202m takeover of Evolution Group will go ahead despite last-minute resistance from Evolution’s biggest shareholder after the broker’s other big investor backed the bid. Aberforth Partners, which owns 10.8 per cent of Evolution, said last week it had withdrawn its support for the all-share offer [...]
Affjordable Norway: a mountainous trekker’s paradise October 30, 2011 IF you want to turn back at any point, you can.” Our sympathetic Norwegian host was suddenly full of reassurance. She was looking across the breakfast table with the concerned expression of a mother observing her sick, ailing child. Fear, dread. Pity. Maybe a hint of disdain for being put in this position. With a [...]