Sales flattening at McDonald’s August 8, 2012 MCDONALD’S yesterday reported flat sales in July at established restaurants around the world, its worst performance in more than nine years and a sign that a weakening global economy is hitting discretionary spending among mainstream diners. The results marked the first time since April 2003 that same-restaurant sales failed to rise. Just two weeks ago, [...]
Fishmongers’ company buys Tower Vaults February 4, 2013 THE FISHMONGERS’ Company, one of the City of London’s ancient livery companies, has bought the long leasehold interest in Tower Vaults for just over £12.5m. The 46,500 square foot site next to the Tower of London, has 12 shops and restaurants including Costa Coffee and McDonalds. Cluttons acted on the sale to the 700-year-old guild.
Ikea pulls sausages from stores as horsegate continues February 27, 2013 Ikea is pulling its wiener sausages from sale in France, Spain, UK, Ireland & Portugal. The sausages are produced by Dafgaard, the same Swedish suppler as its meatballs. Dafgaard is contesting the results of tests conducted on the meatballs by Czech Republic officials. "Out of 320 tests performed in the last three weeks, none contain [...]
Pension changes cheered but high earners take a hit January 14, 2013 BUSINESS leaders hailed the government’s plans for a “simple, understandable, state pension” yesterday, but admitted that both employers and staff would have to take a financial hit as part of the proposed reforms. “The introduction of a flat-rate state pension, with an end to means-tested retirement income benefits, is essential if pension saving is to make [...]
Morrisons is among the winners of the ongoing saga February 26, 2013 BRAND INDEX IKEA now joins the long list of brands to get hit by the horsemeat scandal. We won’t have numbers until later today but judging from what happened to Tesco, the Swedish group may well have a problem. The first time I wrote on this subject back in January, I said it might turn [...]
Whitehall amateurs should take lessons in business practice February 4, 2013 NON-executive directors (NED) are not a new phenomenon in the private sector. These men and women have been discussing the performance of directors, participating in committees, and setting the strategic direction of businesses for years. But Whitehall has come late to the party. NEDs have only sat on the boards of government departments since 2010. [...]
What the other papers say this morning January 8, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Telecoms discuss Europe network Europe’s top telecoms executives are discussing the creation of a pan-European infrastructure network to unite the continent’s fragmented national markets, following prompting from Brussels to consider more radical options. The idea of pooling telecoms infrastructure emerged at a private meeting between Joaquín Almunia, the EU’s competition chief, and bosses [...]
Kigu is crowned smartest small business at Smarta 100 Awards November 12, 2012 KIGU, a company that makes animal onesies favoured by everyone from the cast of Made in Chelsea to Lily Allen, has been voted Britain’s brightest small business by business network Smarta. Kigu founder Tom Cohn was awarded a novelty cheque for the very real £10,000 cash prize at the awards, run with O2. BBC Dragon [...]
Strong UK sales at McDonald’s fail to hide disappointment May 8, 2012 McDonald’s yesterday reported a smaller-than-expected rise in April sales, after a strong performance in the UK and Europe failed to offset tough trading elsewhere. Despite national debt woes, widespread austerity measures and high unemployment in the Eurozone, McDonald’s grew same-restaurant sales in the region by 3.5 per cent, above analysts’ forecasts of a three per [...]
Brave Bradford stun Premier League Wigan October 30, 2012 LEAGUE TWO Bradford City last night led the Capital One Cup’s surprise results after securing a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory away to Premier League Wigan when the match had remained goalless after 120 minutes. Shaun Maloney fired his penalty over the bar, and Matt Duke saved from Jordi Gomez, after the home side – for [...]