EU referendum: new CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn puts pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron over in/out vote November 23, 2015 Britain’s biggest business group is urging Prime Minister David Cameron to accelerate plans for the European Union referendum, warning that investment is beginning to suffer at the hands of a protracted renegotiation. Carolyn Fairbairn, who took over as director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) last week, has told City A.M. that uncertainty [...]
Retail supplier Li & Fung hit by slow shopping August 21, 2015 SLOWING consumer demand in Europe and the US triggered a fall in retail supplier Li & Fung’s profits this half-year, the company said yesterday. The Hong Kong-based exporter, which supplies stores in the UK such as Primark and Marks and Spencer, said core operating profits fell by a fifth to $182m (£130m) from $227m for [...]
Ex-Sainsbury’s boss Justin King takes on first big role since leaving September 7, 2015 The former chief executive of Sainsbury's, Justin King, is set to take on his first major role since leaving the supermarket last year. King, who is widely credited with reversing the fortunes of the supermarket chain, is due to become vice-chairman of private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners. "A source close to Terra Firma [...]
As Apple’s iPhone 6S lands will mobile payments change the way we live? December 11, 2015 Today’s smartphones can do incredible things. Need a ride around London? Just tap the Uber app. Fresh flowers or food from a local restaurant delivered straight to your door? Try Bloom & Wild or Deliveroo. These apps are fantastic, but there's a new smartphone feature set to fundamentally revolutionise the high street and how [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price tumbles as head of general merchandise John Dixon quits July 17, 2015 Marks & Spencer's head of general merchandise John Dixon has quit the business after three years in the role, prompting the retailer's share price to tumble in early trading. Dixon "has decided to leave the business to pursue career opportunities outside of the company", the retailer said this morning. He will step down from [...]
City remains in dark on HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver’s travel plans November 5, 2015 Should I stay or should I should I go? Not the song by The Clash, but the question on HSBC directors’ minds since the bank kicked off its review of whether it ought to move its headquarters. If the exercise was calculated to extract concessions from ministers for Europe’s biggest lender, it has been adroitly handled: [...]
M&S shake-up sparks chaos at troubled chain August 13, 2015 THE KNIVES are out at Marks & Spencer after a shake-up at the troubled high street chain that has claimed womenswear boss Frances Russell as its victim. Russell, who has led the womenswear business for three years, has been replaced by M&S lingerie boss Jo Jenkins, who has been promoted to the expanded role of [...]
Lord Stuart Rose backs student property firm August 25, 2015 FORMER Marks & Spencer chairman Lord Stuart Rose has emerged as a surprise backer of Select Property Group, a developer and manager of student housing across the UK. Select said yesterday that Rose has invested a “multi-million pound” sum alongside Terry Green, the former boss of BHS and Debenhams. The privately owned group, which was [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price tumbles as womenswear boss Frances Russell leaves August 13, 2015 Marks & Spencer's share price has fallen by almost two per cent this morning on the news of yet another shake-up at the troubled high street chain that will see its womenswear boss Frances Russell step down. Russell, who has led the womenswear business for three years, will be replaced by M&S’s lingerie boss [...]
Christmas adverts: John Lewis, Sainsburys, Burberry & Marks and Spencer beaten by Universal for most shared festive ad of all time November 2, 2015 It's that time of year already. John Lewis is poised to unveil its Christmas advert on Friday (8am if you're really keen) and once again will be launching in on social media first, followed by a grand pushing out to TV audiences at the weekend. It has become an iconic start to the festive period, [...]