The world’s oldest port brand is now available in Waitrose November 23, 2016 The world's oldest brand of port uncorked plans to sell at Waitrose after a successful launch at Marks & Spencer last month. Kopke, a top-tier port brand that was founded in 1638, has launched its Kopke Reserve Tawny in the major retailer just in time for Christmas. The company is part of the Sogevinus Group, the fifth largest producer [...]
Waitrose has been crowned the UK’s best supermarket February 16, 2017 Aldi and Lidl might be snatching market share from their rivals – but one middle class stalwart is still at the top of the nation's affections, according to a new survey. The report, by Which?, has crowned Waitrose the UK's best supermarket, above rivals Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl. Meanwhile, Asda came bottom of the [...]
No end in sight for high street’s woes as stalwarts like John Lewis struggle March 9, 2018 The UK high street was dealt another blow yesterday as one of the country’s biggest household names posted a sharp drop in profits. Profits at the John Lewis Partnership – which comprises John Lewis and Waitrose – fell 77 per cent to £103.9m in 2017, forcing the retailer to cut its staff bonus to its [...]
All eyes on M&S clothing – and its chief executive Steve Rowe – as the retailer unveils its latest results collection later this week January 8, 2017 Marks & Spencer's beleaguered clothing division could finally be on the up, with sales growth expected by some analysts when the high street behemoth reveals its third quarter results this week. On 12 January, M&S will reveal its third quarter to 31 December. Analysts are on average forecasting like-for-like sales growth in its clothing and home [...]
M&S’ Brexit: Marks and Spencer to close its Paris flagship store October 26, 2016 Marks and Spencer is planning to shut its flagship store in Paris, according to reports. The British retailer wants to scale back its international operations to save on costs, Bloomberg has reported. Read more: MPs call for debate on "loopholes" in national living wage legislation The decision will be formally announced by chief executive Steve Rowe [...]
The cost of Christmas dinner has dropped 10 per cent since 2009 November 30, 2016 Inflation may be creeping up, but the price of your Christmas dinner isn't – in fact, this year's festive feast may be cheaper than ever before, after a new study suggested its price has fallen 10 per cent since 2009. Good Housekeeping's Christmas index found the cheapest place to buy turkey and all the trimmings [...]
M&S dresses for success by choosing food over fashion November 9, 2016 As Marks & Spencer announces its turnaround plan, now is a great time to analyse how the retailer has reached this point, and whether a revival is possible. M&S reported falling sales and profits in the six months to the end of September and said it will close more clothing and home stores, and convert many [...]
City Moves for 8 March 2017 – who’s switching jobs? March 8, 2017 Today's City Moves cover legal eagles, energy and financial planning. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Linklaters Global law firm Linklaters has appointed Andy Bruce global head of real estate. Andy, who is currently head of Linklaters’ UK Real Estate practice, succeeds Yves Moreau, who has held the global position since 2011. Andy [...]
Retailers John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Home Retail Group, Kingfisher and John Lewis top list of offenders in late supplier payments February 29, 2016 Britain's five largest high street retailers were late in paying a shocking 80 per cent of their invoices to suppliers last year, a report today has revealed. MarketInvoice, a peer-to-peer platform for selling invoices online, has found that late payments to suppliers rocketed last year, with high street retailers John Lewis, Boots, Home Retail Group, Marks & [...]
Online stalwart Asos is in for a fashion face-off with Amazon’s wardrobe service January 26, 2018 What do Debenhams, House of Fraser, Mothercare and Asos not have in common? Cracking Christmas clothing sales. While the high street’s stalwarts struggled to attract bargain-hunting shoppers over the festive season, their smaller online-only rival yesterday revealed a 30 per cent rise in sales for the final four months of 2017. Asos, or as As [...]