Mark Kleinman’s big predictions for the Square Mile in 2019 January 11, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP exit, Unilever’s HQ U-turn, Melrose’s swoop for GKN: 2018 was a year full of surprises in the City. And while forecasting might be a fool’s errand, here are 10 predictions for the year ahead. •Theresa May will decisively lose next week’s “meaningful vote” on Brexit: that’s not a punt that will [...]
Two Sainsbury’s executives to step down in boardroom shake up October 29, 2019 The new chairman of Sainsbury’s is planning a major boardroom reshuffle as the UK’s third-biggest supermarket tries to move on from the collapse of its planned £15bn merger with Asda. Read more: Sainsbury’s heir to the thrown quits to join media powerhouse WPP Google’s Europe operations chief Matt Brittin and ex-Marks and Spencer executive Jean [...]
Magic Circle deal star Nigel Boardman’s next act September 24, 2018 Slaughter and May deal star Nigel Boardman is approaching the second act of his career with the same strategic approach that made him the most renowned English corporate lawyer of the last 20 years. When he retires from Slaughters’ partnership at the end of April to become a part-time consultant with the firm it [...]
The Friday interview: Gary Boom on wine, trading and virtual tastings July 3, 2020 Nothing has been immune from the disruption wrought by Covid-19 and the wine industry is no different. City A.M. talks to BI Fine Wine chief Gary Boom about Bordeaux tastings, the wine industry and the value of an alternative asset class. “Here’s your routine when you start: it’s nine o’clock first tasting, with seven wines. [...]
Next defies Christmas fears with online sales boost but outlook remains cautious amid Brexit uncertainty January 3, 2019 Next has opened the crucial post-Christmas trading update season by reducing its full-year profit expectations, but defied investor worries by increasing sales. The retailer said full-price sales for the festive period were up 1.5 per cent between 28 October and 29 December, in line with its expectations. Next reported a 14.9 per cent increase in online [...]
Having a house near a supermarket can boost your house price by as much as £43,000 June 9, 2018 Owning a home close to a chain supermarket could potentially boost the house price by £21,500 on average, according to research by Lloyds Bank. The new research also showed that areas within range of so-called premium supermarkets, such as Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's, will command house prices which are on average 12 per [...]
Brockmans Gin doubles UK sales as supermarket expansion pays off September 24, 2018 High-end spirit producer Brockmans Gin nearly doubled UK revenues in the first six months of the year, and grew by a third globally. First-half revenue increased 35 per cent to £4.73m from £3.5m in the same period of 2017, while the company’s UK sales climbed 90 per cent, outstripping market growth of 38 per cent. The Surrey-based [...]
Marks & Spencer has started laser printing avocado labels to reduce waste | City A.M. June 19, 2017 In a push towards sustainability, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has started laser labelling avocados. Moving from sticker labels to lasering will save the retailer 10 tonnes of labels and backing paper and five tonnes of adhesive every year on avocados alone. Lasering also uses less energy. So, how does it work? M&S said the innovative [...]
Marks & Spencer has started laser printing avocado labels to reduce waste | City A.M. June 19, 2017 In a push towards sustainability, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has started laser labelling avocados. Moving from sticker labels to lasering will save the retailer 10 tonnes of labels and backing paper and five tonnes of adhesive every year on avocados alone. Lasering also uses less energy. So, how does it work? M&S said the innovative [...]
Brexit secretary Dominic Raab clashes with John Lewis as profits tumble 99 per cent September 13, 2018 Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has clashed with John Lewis after its chairman Charlie Mayfield suggested the store’s 99 per cent plunge in profits was partly due to Brexit. Profits at John Lewis plummeted to just £1.2m in the first half of this year amid what Mayfield called “challenging times” for retail. He also warned that [...]