UK could see double-digit inflation, chair of John Lewis warns March 17, 2022 Britain may see double-digit inflation, the chair of the John Lewis Partnership has warned. Dame Sharon White’s comments came after the UK registered inflation of five-and-a-half per cent, with the Bank of England predicting it could exceed seven percent, as to raised interest rates on Thursday. Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme, she said: [...]
John Lewis chair doubles down on profit comments: ‘You need to do well to do good’ March 6, 2022 The chair of the John Lewis Partnership has reiterated her thoughts that companies do not have to sacrifice a pursuit of profit in order to contribute positively to society. Writing in The Mail On Sunday, Sharon White reiterated comments made in a speech to the Resolution Foundation think tank last month. In her column, White [...]
John Lewis’ partnership model put it on a pedestal, now it joins the rest of us April 6, 2023 John Lewis has had an easy ride because its almost mythical shared ownership structure, as it looks to dilute it, it joins every other businesses in Britain in facing a hostile environment.
Retailers put all their chips on inflation cooling during golden Christmas run-up September 22, 2023 A better than expected inflation reading, and growing consumer confidence and sales, have offered a glimmer of hope for the UK’s retail sector, as they turn their focus to the vital Christmas trading months. According to today’s ONS figures, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall [...]
The Notebook: Royal Mail, Succession and a fabulous rugby charity March 27, 2023 The Notebook is a home for musings and jottings on the Square Mile and beyond. Today, it’s Andy Silvester’s turn. ANOTHER day, another indication that Royal Mail’s future has got lost in the post. Only a fortnight after being referred to the regulator for “systemic letter delivery failures” – a task you’d probably describe as [...]
John Lewis turns around losses after Christmas boost February 14, 2022 John Lewis is trading in the green following strong Christmas sales which helped the group recover from heavy losses.
Staff at John Lewis to share £46m bonus pot after profits rebound by nearly 40 per cent March 10, 2022 Staff at the John Lewis Partnership will share a £46m bonus pot after the retail giant saw underlying annual profits rebound by 38 per cent. The group, which also owns upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose, said it will pay a bonus of 3% to its employees, or one-and-a-half weeks’ pay, and increase wages by 2 per [...]
John Lewis scraps land sell-off after villagers’ displeasure November 7, 2021 John Lewis has been forced to ditch plans to sell off land for homes after Hampshire residents rebelled against the plans. The department store retailer had planned to sell off land for 12 new homes in Longstock, near Andover. However, it ditched the plans, citing “a significant level of opposition to the scheme,” to the [...]
Mark Kleinman: Why Barclays’ £1bn Telegraph bid won’t be the last word, Alison Rose’s next move and why no one wants to be chair of the BBC October 19, 2023 The must-read column from the man in the know, City Editor at Sky Mark Kleinman Barclays’s £1bn Telegraph bid not the last word Hold the front page: the Barclay family’s effort to lodge a knockout bid for The Daily Telegraph was timed like the arrival of a blockbuster newspaper story minutes before the final edition, [...]
The Notebook: Neil Bennett on corporate disasters, Paris on fire and signs of hope for Wandisco March 29, 2023 One of my favourite business quotes comes, inevitably, from Warren Buffett: “It is only when the tide goes out, that you discover who has been swimming naked.” In the past two weeks it has become clear that the recent rapid tightening of rates has created to a strong ebb tide, and that there is an [...]