Primark hires former Zara Basic head Paula Dumont Lopez in bid to move up the clothing retailer ranks December 23, 2017 Primark has pulled in Paula Dumont Lopez, a former head of product at Zara Basic, as its new womenswear chief. The budget high street chain, which currently lags Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Next as the UK’s third largest clothing retailer, is to begin in January next year. Read more: Next’s sales return to growth [...]
London consumers are set to splash out on Boxing Day sales, according to Barclaycard December 23, 2017 Consumers across the UK are set to top last year’s Boxing Day spending totals, with Londoners splashing out the most, according to Barclaycard. Boxing Day is predicted to be the most popular shopping day of the Christmas period, with a third of shoppers planning to buy discounted goods up from a quarter last year. In [...]
Hamilton London review: Believe the hype, this American smash has all the makings of a modern classic December 23, 2017 Victoria Palace Theatre Believe the hype: there's plenty of it. Ever since Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-opera made its Broadway debut two years ago, it's been a cult phenomenon, catapulting Alexander Hamilton, previously America's most overlooked Founder, into one of its most revered overnight. Many Brits have been playing the soundtrack on repeat in eager anticipation of [...]
Iconic London toy store Hamleys opens Beijing shop in time for Christmas December 23, 2017 Hamleys, the 257-year-old iconic British-founded toy retailer, has today opened its largest store worldwide in Beijing, China. Just in time to coincide with the start of the Christmas season, the store opening will be accompanied by a celebratory toy parade. Located in Beijing’s Wangfujing area, the city’s main shopping district similar to Oxford Street, the [...]
Deliveroo is going green: Riders will start using electric scooters and bikes early in 2018 December 23, 2017 Deliveroo has announced an early Christmas present to residents of London, as it has said it will begin to trial electric scooters to cut down on noise and air pollution next year. The meal delivery company has said its riders in the capital will be able to rent electric-powered scooters and bikes early in 2018 [...]
Editor’s Notes: Predictions are for fools, but here are a few to mull over, may the bitcoin ride continue in 2018 and the best statistic of the year December 22, 2017 Winston Churchill once said “I always avoid prophesying beforehand because it is much better to prophesy after the event has already taken place.” Wise words, which were roundly ignored at a City lunch this week where we went around the table to offer our predictions for 2018. Contributions ranged from the sensible to the more [...]
So much for the Santa rally: FTSE 100 falls off record high December 22, 2017 The FTSE 100 has finished the day lower, having nudged a record high this morning. The bluechip index closed 0.15 per cent lower, at 7,592.66 points. Earlier in the day, it had risen to a record 7,611.75 points, up from yesterday’s closing high of 7,609.69. Before that, the last time it set a record was [...]
UK GDP: Sterling (GBP) rises as the economy grows at faster than expected rate but consumer spending worries persist December 22, 2017 The UK economy has grown at a faster than expected rate over the last 12 months, according to official figures released today. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revised its estimate for third quarter year-on-year growth from 1.5 to 1.7 per cent. Growth over the three months to September was 0.4 per cent, unrevised from [...]
Old Oak Common: West London could get two new London Overground stations at Old Oak Common and Hythe Road December 22, 2017 Transport for London (TfL) says it has received overwhelming support for two new London Overground stations in West London. The two new stations, at Hythe Road and Old Oak Common Lane in Park Royal, will be part of the massive regeneration of Old Oak Common, at the heart of which will be an interchange between [...]
Can travellers make an income from online trading December 22, 2017 Travelling abroad is a great way to learn about different cultures and explore the world. But while many people love travelling, very few are actually able to do it – let alone explore the world or relocate to dream destinations. In the last few years, however, we have noticed the rise of ‘digital nomads’: people [...]