Marks & Spencers has released another set of disappointing numbers – is the new boss the same as the old boss? April 8, 2016 So here we are again. Marks & Spencer has put out another set of dismal results, marking the 17th quarter of clothing sales declines out of 18 at what is the nation’s defining retailer. The story was similar to so many that we’ve heard before: general merchandise was a disappointment (although admittedly, the 2.7 per cent [...]
The City of London is bracing itself for a raft of UK retail collapses in 2018 January 12, 2018 Retailers painted a gloomy picture of the high street this week as several big names failed to cash in on the Christmas shopping season. Gloomy financial updates from household favourites such as Marks and Spencer (M&S), Debenhams, and House of Fraser prompted analysts to signal several retail collapses may be on the cards in 2018. [...]
Focus On Brixton: David Bowie, buzzing nightlife and honest burgers keep average house prices at around £550,000 July 27, 2017 In many ways, Brixton is the capital of south London. With its excellent transport links into central London and exhaustive range of shopping, dining and nightlife options, if you didn’t have to work, you probably wouldn’t need to leave. It even has its own currency. Over 250 businesses accept the Brixton Pound and around £50,000 [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price soars as it reveals better-than-expected fourth quarter figures in Steve Rowe’s first results (but clothing is still down) April 7, 2016 Marks & Spencer's share price soared more than three per cent this morning after posting a better-than-expected set of fourth quarter results – albeit yet another set of declines in general merchandise. The figures Group sales at the high street giant were up 1.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 March, but as with [...]
FTSE 100 falls off record highs to end the week March 17, 2017 The UK's bluechip index fell off a record high in late afternoon trading, but nevertheless ended the week almost 100 points up. The FTSE 100 finished at 7,423.6 points, 0.1 per cent higher. Both risers and fallers were a mixed bag, with insurer Admiral Group leading the way, rising 1.8 per cent to 1,941p, followed by healthcare [...]
BP pumps up Australian business with £1.1bn petrol deal to partner with Woolworths December 28, 2016 BP's share price rose today after the oil and gas giant announced it has paid $1.3bn (£1.1bn) to form a partnership with Australian supermarket chain Woolworths for its petrol business. The group has acquired 527 Woolworths fuel stations as part of the agreement, as well as a further 16 sites under construction. BP already owns [...]
Watch the Sainsbury’s Christmas ad here – James Corden is on vocals November 14, 2016 We've had the festive offerings from Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Aldi – and now the Sainsbury's Christmas ad has arrived. The supermarket has brought America's favourite Briton, James Corden, on board to take part in its musical extravaganza which "tells the story of Dave, a hard-working and devoted Dad, who realises that the greatest [...]
Warm weather to cool Christmas sales at Marks & Spencer January 4, 2016 The mildest December on record combined with intense competition on the high street is expected to spell a gloomy end of the year for retailers, with Next and Marks & Spencer the first to unveil this week how they fared over the crucial Christmas period. The wet and mild weather, security fears in the aftermath of the [...]
Primark hires former Zara Basic head Paula Dumont Lopez in bid to move up the clothing retailer ranks December 23, 2017 Primark has pulled in Paula Dumont Lopez, a former head of product at Zara Basic, as its new womenswear chief. The budget high street chain, which currently lags Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Next as the UK’s third largest clothing retailer, is to begin in January next year. Read more: Next’s sales return to growth [...]
You can now buy the world’s oldest port wine brand online from Marks and Spencer August 16, 2016 Move over, craft beer. For the first time in five centuries, the world's oldest brand of port wine is now going to be available to buy online at a major UK retailer. Top-tier port brand Kopke's 1996 vintage has launched on Marks & Spencer online for £30 for a single bottle and can also be [...]