Marks & Spencer to close 12 stores in five Eastern European countries October 11, 2015 Marks & Spencer (M&S) is pulling out of five countries in eastern Europe, driven in part by heightened tensions between the West and Russia. The company is leaving Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, with store closures set to begin in January. The group plans to close 12 stores in total by May 2016. The [...]
Retail industry attention turns to high street bellwether Next July 31, 2016 The retail industry's attention will turn to Next, with the UK high street bellwether expected to report a fall in sales in the coming week. The FTSE-100 listed firm's widely-watched results are regarded as a good indicator for how its peers, such as Marks & Spencer, are faring. Read more: Retailers rocked by sales shocker Next's trading is likely to have [...]
Goodwood betting: Cash in on The Cashel Man in Goodwood’s marathon July 26, 2016 An abundance of stamina is required to successfully conquer Wednesday's 2m5f Goodwood Stakes (2.00pm) and, although he’s yet to be asked the question, I think THE CASHEL MAN will relish the trip. After blowing away the cobwebs at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance, David Simcock’s four-year-old ran well over two miles at York to finish [...]
Brexit worries are dampening consumer confidence, says Marks and Spencer boss May 25, 2016 Consumer confidence has been hit by uncertainty over the EU referendum and has consequences for retailers, according to Marks & Spencer boss Steve Rowe. Speaking today after Marks & Spencer posted its latest results, the company's new chief executive said short term confidence has been knocked. “Customer confidence and optimism, particularly in the short-term, in the last few [...]
M&S set to reveal former chief executive Marc Bolland earned over £15m June 5, 2016 Marks & Spencer are set to unveil this week that the retail store's former chief executive Marc Bolland received over £15m during his years at the company. The firm's annual report is due out later this week and will include details of Bolland's remuneration since he took the helm in 2010. Bolland resigned in January, but will receive salary, [...]
These are the UK’s most attractive employers May 13, 2016 Rolls Royce has topped a list of big companies that Britons want to work for. The automotive aerospace giant fared well on criteria such as salary and employee benefits, long-term job security and a pleasant working atmosphere. British Airways and Marks & Spencer took second and third place respectively, followed by car companies BMW and Jaguar Land [...]
Marks & Spencer leading the FTSE losers: Why clothing boss John Dixon’s departure gives M&S two major headaches July 17, 2015 Marks & Spencer is leading the FTSE 100 losers this morning, after it confirmed its executive director of general merchandise John Dixon had quit. M&S' share price opened down, and has continued to tumble throughout early trading. At pixel time, itwas down 1.3 per cent. When Dixon took up the role in [...]
Will M&S sharpen up its fashion arm? Analysts forecast profit rise as chief Steve Rowe expected announce a bumpy road to recovery May 23, 2016 Marks and Spencer may want to give its clothing lines a makeover as analysts predict a rocky road to recovery. The 132-year old retailer, which has seen its fashion division fall out of favour with the public in recent years, is expected to report a two per cent rise in pre-tax profits, but analysts suggest that [...]
M&S boss Steve Rowe: We are frustrating our customer May 25, 2016 Marks & Spencer's new chief executive Steve Rowe has admitted the company has been "frustrating" its customer with its failure to listen properly to what shoppers want – and pledged to do more to win hearts and minds. Rowe unveiled the first parts of a major strategy designed to appeal to its lost customer as the [...]
Horse racing betting: All eyes on the heavens as Angel faces her biggest test August 18, 2016 York has been bathed in sunshine for the first few days of the Ebor Festival, but the weather forecast suggests that plenty of rain is now on its way. It’s just a question of how much will hit the Knavesmire and, more importantly, when it will arrive. Some forecasters are predicting early showers, while others are [...]