John Lewis risks looking old hat as Iceland nails ad virality November 13, 2018 John Lewis’s Christmas adverts always provoke a huge reaction – generating the sort of headlines and cut-through that are the envy of marketers and company bosses everywhere. However, as we await this year’s effort, it is worth looking back to last year’s ‘Moz the Monster’ campaign. YouGov BrandIndex data from Christmas 2017 showed that while [...]
Fifty-year-old wedding dress chain Berketex Bride crashes into administration November 13, 2018 Wedding dress chain Berketex Bride announced today it had ceased trading and gone into administration. The chain, which had been trading for more than 50 years, said all of its stores had closed and will not re-open. Berketex had 11 branches in the UK, including one in the West End and one in Croydon, and [...]
Flipkart chief executive Binny Bansal resigns after misconduct investigation November 13, 2018 The chief executive of Indian online store Flipkart resigned today following an investigation into an allegation of “serious” personal misconduct. Binny Bansal, who co-founded the online retailer in 2007, denies the allegation, but has stepped down as the company said the claim risked becoming a distraction. Bansal’s departure comes after Flipkart carried out an independent [...]
Chewing the cud: Vegan startup Beyond Meat introduces plant-based burger to UK November 13, 2018 US plant-based food company Beyond Meat yesterday moved into the UK, bringing its vegan burgers to British supermarkets and restaurants. The Los Angeles-based business produces the plant-based Beyond Burger, which it says replicates the texture of meat while providing added nutritional benefits. The Beyond Burger went on sale yesterday at 350 Tesco branches across the country. [...]
Two headquarters are better than one: Amazon confirms New York and Virginia will be home to new HQs November 13, 2018 Web giant Amazon has confirmed it will build its new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia, after reports earlier this morning. The online retailer has whittled down over 230 proposals, and decided to split its second North American headquarters over two sites. The projects, which were announced today, will create up to 50,000 [...]
Iceland’s banned palm oil advert could win over middle class shoppers as supermarkets prepare for Christmas November 13, 2018 Iceland could get a shot in the arm from its banned Christmas advert by appealing to middle class shoppers, according to consumer research firm Kantar Worldpanel. The supermarket's advert, which caused a storm on social media when it was deemed “too political” to be aired by Clearcast, could be exactly what the store needs to reach out to [...]
Law firm lodges equal pay claims against supermarket giant Morrisons November 13, 2018 The law firm that is taking on the big four supermarket giants over allegations of unequal pay has today lodged its first batch of claims against Morrisons in the Employment Tribunal. As well as Morrisons, Leigh Day is also taking on Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco on behalf of female members of staff who believe they [...]
Consumer spending falls in October as shoppers continue to abandon the high street November 13, 2018 UK consumer spending dipped in October after having risen for two months, with an e-commerce rebound propping up a two per cent fall in face-to-face sales. Expenditure has fallen in six of 10 months so far this year, adding to a cocktail of concerns for bricks-and-mortar retailers, according to Visa UK Consumer Spending Index data [...]
Homebase named the UK’s worst retail website in rescue deal aftermath November 13, 2018 DIY retailer Homebase has been named the UK's worst online shopping website, alongside a plethora of other familiar names in a survey conducted by independent consumer body Which?. Homebase received a rating of 55 per cent as part of a survey with over 10,000 consumers evaluating their experiences online. Customers said they found the site [...]
Foxtons closes six London branches as challenging market flattens revenue growth November 13, 2018 Estate agent Foxtons has today confirmed the closure of six London stores, amid a downturn in sales that has led to a "challenging" market. The closures came as part of a cost-cutting drive at the firm to meet market conditions. Branches in Beckenham, Enfield, Loughton, Ruislip and Barnes, as well as its flagship Park Lane office, have [...]