City remains in dark on HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver’s travel plans November 5, 2015 Should I stay or should I should I go? Not the song by The Clash, but the question on HSBC directors’ minds since the bank kicked off its review of whether it ought to move its headquarters. If the exercise was calculated to extract concessions from ministers for Europe’s biggest lender, it has been adroitly handled: [...]
Marks & Spencer’s clothing sales through Alibaba soar in China September 21, 2014 Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant which could hold the title of having the world’s biggest ever initial public offering after raising $21.8bn on Friday, has helped to boost Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) online clothing sales in China. The head of M&S’s overseas internet business, Ricky Wilson, said on Saturday that M&S is now the fastest [...]
Marks and Spencer Asia head quits ahead of store shake-up March 2, 2015 MARKS & Spencer said yesterday that its regional director for Asia was quitting after less than two years in the role as it announced a review of plans for China including the closure of five Shanghai stores. Bruce Findlay, a former retail director for Calvin Klein who is leaving to join Diesel, took on the [...]
In the market for disruption: SapientNitro chief executive Nigel Vaz on consumer expectations October 25, 2015 Most disruptive companies have certain characteristics in common. They adapt constantly to stay ahead of the curve, they are dedicated to digital and deliver excellent customer service. Nigel Vaz, global chief strategy officer and European chief executive of SapientNitro, likens such businesses to gryphons – mythical hybrids with the wings of an eagle and the [...]
UK pensions deficits: FTSE 100 firms fear pension pain as workers retire September 6, 2015 Pension schemes represent a “material risk” for many of the largest companies in the FTSE 100, new research shows. Six firms, including BAE Systems, British Airways-owner International Airlines Group, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland, all have total disclosed pension liabilities almost double their equity market value, so says JLT Employee Benefits’ quarterly report [...]
Marks & Spencer opens across Finland and Norway as part of European expansion September 17, 2014 Marks and Spencer is set to open its first shop in Scandanavia next month as it marches ahead with its European expansion. The high street retailer said yesterday it will open 15 franchise stores across Finland and Norway, with the first shop set to open in Helsinki next month. The 32,000 square feet store will [...]
Over 50 business leaders have called for an “urgent” decision on airport expansion almost exactly a year after an official report lent its support to a new Heathrow runway June 27, 2016 Over 50 business leaders have called on the government to urgently make a decision on expansion of capacity at London's airports, a year after an official report backed a new runway at Heathrow. Prior to last week's Brexit vote, reports had suggested that a decision could be made as soon as 7 July. However, following [...]
Horse racing betting: Hunt Cup is a Breeze for Ivory while Glory Awaits June 14, 2016 Some love them; some hate them, but working out one of Royal Ascot’s fiendishly difficult handicap puzzles rewards punters like nothing else. The Royal Hunt Cup (Wednesday 5.00pm) is possibly the biggest lottery of them all, especially when the ground is soft and the effects of the draw unclear. Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore team [...]
Jerky Group and Cruga form beef snacks empire August 4, 2015 THE JERKY Group has merged with biltong and meat snacks-maker Cruga to create the largest beef snack manufacturer in Europe with combined turnover of around £12m. Founded in 2000, The Jerky Group’s brands include Wild West Jerky, Hogbites pork crackling and BullOx Biltong. It also produces Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Joe Walters’ beef jerky brand Texas [...]
Next’s share price jumps as it raises profit forecast after better than expected first half July 28, 2015 Next's share price jumped 1.4 per cent this morning, after raising its profit guidance for the full year following better than expected sales in the first half of this year. The high street chain is really showing Marks & Spencer how to do it. While its high street rival is struggling to get its [...]