Kingfisher sales hit by weak UK July 21, 2011 Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvement retailer, posted a small fall in underlying second-quarter sales as a hit to its British business from the closing down sale of a rival outweighed solid growth in France. The group, which runs market leader B&Q in Britain as well as the Castorama and Brico Depot chains in France and [...]
You can still be a millionaire despite volatility September 18, 2011 THIS column starts with market volatility and ends up with me accompanying you on a free holiday. Bear with me. Markets around the world have been incredibly volatile recently. Risk seems to come on and off on a whim, with markets reacting wildly to rumours of financial salvation and Armageddon. Sovereign debt has dominated the [...]
Keeping venues and the brand safe in 2012: A blend of risk and reward January 10, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 198 DAYS TO GO Mark Hamilton gives an insight into G4S’s decision to become the official security provider to the Games Q. What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A. As the world’s largest international security solutions provider, and as we’re based in [...]
Thomas Cook: The company taking visitors to the Olympics since 1896 January 17, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BRAND’S PRIMARY REASON FOR BEING INVOLVED WITH THE GAMES? A. Thomas Cook actually took customers from Britain to the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, and passengers from all over the UK to the 1908 and 1948 London Olympics, so we’ve got a [...]
Kingfisher in BBQ lift but still cautious June 2, 2011 KINGFISHER, Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer, said yesterday a surge in sales of garden furniture and barbecues during warm spring weather had not changed its cautious outlook on consumer spending. The group, which runs market leader B&Q in Britain as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France, said yesterday shoppers in Britain in particular [...]
The writing was on the wall for Focus DIY June 14, 2011 AT the start of last month the Focus DIY chain entered administration. BrandIndex data gives us a read on the problems that they have had for a long period. When we compare them to their competitors (B&Q, Homebase and Wickes) we can see that they were the least talked about, and when people did talk [...]
Chelsea in bloom as Flower Show lands May 19, 2011 ALL those months of composting are coming to fruition as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show arrives. From Tuesday the area will be in full bloom with the world’s finest gardening talent on display. City A.M. rounded up six of the show’s hotly-tipped highlights. AUSTRALIA GARDEN This marks the debut for the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne [...]
Focus DIY to close after failing to find buyer as 3,000 jobs face axe May 25, 2011 HOME improvement retailer Focus DIY is to close with the possible loss of up to 3,000 jobs, after the administrator was unable to find buyers for the bulk of its stores, it was announced yesterday. Administrators at Ernst & Young said they had appointed retail consultants Gordon Brothers to advise on the sale of all [...]
FTSE steadied by Greek breakthrough July 21, 2011 The FTSE 100 started solidly this morning as it emerged that France and Germany had reached an agreement on a second bailout for Greece. Banks led the way as investors gained confidence in stocks recently buffeted by fears of exposure to the debt crisis which has engulfed the Eurozone. Leaders of the 16-country bloc will [...]
Fortwo: a good scooter but not a car February 14, 2012 Historically, automakers partnering with fashion labels to design “cool” cars have had mixed results. Take this Smart limited edition Fortwo micro car, for example. It’s been given a makeover by British streetwear label Boxfresh. Whether your average Boxfresh fan a) has their eye on a two-seater Smart, b) can afford this limited edition two seater, [...]