Retail group calls on government to reduce the burden of business rates February 13, 2017 Business rates have become unsustainable and must be lowered to allow companies to invest, a leading business group has told the government. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned chancellor Philip Hammond that property taxes need reform because they now represent a "disproportionate burden" to businesses. Read more: Culture shock: How London's theatres will be squeezed [...]
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable uses parliamentary privilege to name Santander UK boss Nathan Bostock as “responsible” for RBS GRG’s strategy January 18, 2018 Former business secretary Vince Cable has used parliamentary privilege to allege that the current chief executive of Santander UK, Nathan Bostock, was “responsible” for the behaviour of the global restructuring group at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The Liberal Democrat leader also said senior management at RBS knew or should have known about alleged unethical [...]
Sports Direct share price falls after unveiling plans for the UK’s first board worker rep March 9, 2017 Mike Ashley's Sports Direct said it was breaking new ground in good corporate governance after announcing it is kicking off the process to elect the UK's first board worker representative. All "directly-engaged workers" can put their names in the hat for the high-profile role and the firm will then conduct an extensive "assessment" process, before putting a selection of candidates forward [...]
Moneysupermarket announces share buyback after growing profits February 28, 2017 Moneysupermarket Group is launching a £40m share buyback after reporting increased revenue and profit for the year to 31 December 2016. The figures Group revenue rose 12 per cent to £316.4m from £281.7m. Operating profit was up 13 per cent to £91.1m from £80.5m, while profit after tax grew by 16 per cent to hit [...]
Waterstones reads between the lines to go local as unbranded stores put it in the bad books March 1, 2017 Earlier this week, it was revealed that bookselling giant Waterstones has opened three small unbranded stores in locations across England. Some have argued that in opening shops purporting to be “independent” without notifying consumers of the real owners Waterstones has been underhand. Others have stressed that any effort that pushes books – while filling empty [...]
Watch this year’s full M&S Christmas advert, with Mrs Claus taking the starring role November 11, 2016 Hot on the heels of John Lewis' Buster the Boxer, Marks & Spencer has let its 2016 Christmas advert free this evening. The three-minute video featured for the first time on TV during Channel 4's Gogglebox. Read more: Heartwarming and full of plot holes: Our review of John Lewis' Christmas ad It tells the story [...]
Photo-Me beams over a successful six months as investment in new areas pays off December 9, 2016 Photo-Me International is all smiles after it outperformed in its half-year results. The figures The photo booth operator’s revenue grew to £110.6m, up 19.2 per cent, or £96.5m at constant currency, up four per cent. Pre-tax profits increased 20.2 per cent to £31m, while rising to £26.9m, up 4.3 per cent at constant currency. As of October, the group had 46,760 units, up [...]
John Lewis grows market share in challenging conditions, but PBT falls as pension charges and property declines take hit March 10, 2016 John Lewis Partnership has heralded its market share growth despite "challenging markets". The figures Profit before tax was down 10.9 per cent to £305.5m, in line with expectations, "entirely due" to pension charges and lower property profits, the partnership said. Operating profits before property rose 3.9 per cent to £8.87m at Waitrose and £1.8m at [...]
Slow-cookers, bee houses and Nutribullets are the most popular gifts on wedding lists now, John Lewis reckons March 2, 2016 Newlyweds are shunning traditional wedding gifts like toasters in favour of fancy gadgets and toys, according to new research. Couples are choosing to upgrade what they already have or indulge in items that suit their lifestyle – with smart TVs, fitness, health products and kitchen gadgets at the top of most contemporary couples' lists. Research [...]
Waitrose is changing the rules on free coffee at more stores November 10, 2016 Waitrose fans, brace yourselves. Especially if you're a commuter. A rule change to the supermarket's incredibly popular free coffee offer caused outrage among middle England in October, and now it will apply to even more stores. Read more: Most people are enjoying the John Lewis Christmas advert. A few aren't Kale-lovers in more locations will soon have [...]