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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Clear out the corporate cobwebs and think like a startup January 4, 2017 There is a cultural shift impacting many organisations across the globe – the idea that corporates should create a “hacking” culture and attitude to innovation. In other words, they need to act like startups. Whether an established company with hundreds of employees and many years’ experience, or a much younger startup, workplace environment is incredibly [...]
H&M’s share price falls after sales figures disappoint January 16, 2017 Swedish international clothing retailer H&M's share price fell 2.76 per cent in trading today after it reported disappointing Christmas sales figures. The group's total sales in December rose six per cent year-on-year in local currencies, but analysts had forecast a sales increase of eight per cent. Read more: Bow down, John Lewis – H&M drops a Christmas [...]
Titans of history: Lessons from the entrepreneurs who built Britain November 15, 2017 The history of the modern world is bound up with that of Britain. There are many theories of how and why we spawned the Industrial Revolution and had such an impact on international affairs, but none is complete without accounting for the British people, and the entrepreneurs who built Britain and changed the world. In [...]
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 [...]