Green to cut hundreds of shops as wary consumers stay home November 24, 2011 ARCADIA Group, the retailer owned by billionaire Sir Philip Green, yesterday said it planned to close up to 260 stores over the next three years after announcing a big fall in profits. The group, which owns fashion retail stores including Topshop, Miss Selfridge, and department store BHS, said it would not renew half of its [...]
That was the year that was January 2, 2012 22 FEBRUARY The revolution in Libya was the most striking incarnation of the Arab Spring, which also toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. Just eight months later, Colonel Gaddafi was killed, while his family were captured or exiled. 14 MARCH With a death toll near 16,000, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami was truly devastating. Disrupted [...]
Hammerson to start on office tower in April November 8, 2011 ANGLO-FRENCH property developer Hammerson plans to begin construction on its £485m Principal Place office scheme in April next year after the group said it expected to sign its first pre-let deal before Christmas. Hammerson said yesterday negotiations are progressing with law firm CMS Cameron McKenna to take up one-third of the 600,000 square feet of [...]
Eight in 10 households to cut or freeze Xmas spend November 21, 2011 OVER three in 10 households are planning to spend less this Christmas than last year, a worrying survey for the retail sector revealed yesterday. And the survey, conducted by Legal & General, showed that over half (51 per cent) of respondents will restrict their spending to “no more than last year”. The squeeze on Britons’ [...]
Amazon to open massive new London warehouse October 26, 2011 AMAZON says it will create an eighth high-tech warehouse on the outskirts on London as it prepares to increase its product range and meet an expected rise in demand for online shopping. The plans will see the retailer create up to 4,000 new jobs in the UK by Christmas next year, with its core market for [...]
Don’t underestimate the blends December 7, 2011 SOMETIMES seen as the poor relation to single malt, interest in blended whisky has been re-ignited by the trend for classic whisky cocktails and some innovative international serving methods. Blended whisky accounts for 92 per cent of global whisky consumption. New territories like the Far East are discovering its promise, especially as part of a [...]
Don’t underestimate the blends December 7, 2011 SOMETIMES seen as the poor relation to single malt, interest in blended whisky has been re-ignited by the trend for classic whisky cocktails and some innovative international serving methods. Blended whisky accounts for 92 per cent of global whisky consumption. New territories like the Far East are discovering its promise, especially as part of a [...]
Sports Direct profits up as it eyes 2012 boost October 20, 2011 SPORTS Direct, Britain’s biggest sporting goods retailer, said revenues rose in recent weeks and added it is looking to events such as next year’s London Olympics to keep sales rolling in 2012. The firm, controlled by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, said total sales rose 11.5 per cent for the nine weeks to 25 September [...]
H&M swoops on Carnaby St November 1, 2011 SWEDISH Fashion retailer H&M yesterday signed for the first UK stand-alone stores for its Monki and Cheap brands on London’s Carnaby Street. West End property company Shaftesbury has let its two newly-built stores for a ten year term, which will produce a total rental income of £965,000 per year. Last month H&M took full control [...]
H&M swoops on Carnaby St November 1, 2011 SWEDISH Fashion retailer H&M yesterday signed for the first UK stand-alone stores for its Monki and Cheap brands on London’s Carnaby Street. West End property company Shaftesbury has let its two newly-built stores for a ten year term, which will produce a total rental income of £965,000 per year. Last month H&M took full control [...]