Do schmaltzy Christmas ads cheer up revenues? November 15, 2016 What do a robin, a boxer dog, a cartoon character called Dave and Mrs Santa Claus have in common? It may sound like the start of a bad joke but this motley crew all have starring roles in 2016's Christmas adverts for major retailers. So far, the M&S ad appears to be the biggest hit [...]
A petition to stop shops opening on Boxing Day has 100,000 signatures November 14, 2016 A petition calling for shops to shut on Boxing Day has gathered more than 100,000 signatures. Boxing Day, which falls on 26 December, is traditionally a massive day for shopping as most major retailers begin their post-Christmas sales. Many companies have already launched promotions ahead of Black Friday, which falls on 25 November this year. [...]
Black Friday 2016: Eight of today’s best deals from Amazon November 14, 2016 Amazon kicked off two weeks of Black Friday deals this morning, with offers on products from CDs (old school) to TVs, headphones and, er, loo roll. For those sneaking in some early Christmas shopping while they're at work (we don't blame you), we'll list the best deals every day in the run-up to the annual [...]
John Lewis resists “Stop Funding Hate” calls to pull newspaper advertising November 14, 2016 John Lewis is resisting calls to pull advertising from newspapers over their editorial coverage. The retailer issued a statement as campaign group Stop Funding Hate steps up efforts to encourage companies not to advertise in the Daily Mail, Sun and Daily Express. Read more: Lego is "not planning any future promotional activity" in the Daily Mail [...]
Here are all the Marks & Spencer stores at risk of closure November 14, 2016 Brace yourselves residents of St Albans, Warrington and Bolton. For it seems your local M&S is at risk of getting the chop. The retailer is shutting 30 outlets around the UK and converting 45 others to Simply Food stores. While M&S hasn't yet announced its full list of closures, retail analysts at Local Data Company [...]
American Apparel files for bankruptcy again and is set to sell brand to Canadian company Gildan Activewear November 14, 2016 Bad news for fans of lamé leotards: now American Apparel has filed for bankruptcy less than a year after ending its first period under court protection. It's also agreed to sell the brand to Canadian clothing manufacturer Gildan Activewear for around $66m. In a statement Gildan announced it had entered into an asset purchase agreement to [...]
Good morning at the races: William Hill shares and profit forecasts up November 14, 2016 Bookmaker William Hill’s share price jumped two per cent this morning as it named three new non-executive directors and raised its profit forecast. The figures Full-year operating profit is now expected to come in at the top end of previous guidance of £260-280m. William Hill said its online business has returned to growth, with net [...]
Watch the Sainsbury’s Christmas ad here – James Corden is on vocals November 14, 2016 We've had the festive offerings from Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Aldi – and now the Sainsbury's Christmas ad has arrived. The supermarket has brought America's favourite Briton, James Corden, on board to take part in its musical extravaganza which "tells the story of Dave, a hard-working and devoted Dad, who realises that the greatest [...]
UK-listed Greencore announces $750m deal for US frozen breakfast sandwich maker Peacock Foods November 14, 2016 Food supplier Greencore Group has agreed a $747.5m (£594.3m) takeover deal for Peacock Foods, a US company specialising in frozen breakfast sandwiches. Peacock, which also makes chilled meal kits for children and salad kits, generates revenues of approximately $1bn and reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) of $72.1m in the year to [...]
Large numbers of Britain’s care homes expect to go bust in the next three years November 14, 2016 Banks who have lent to care homes could fail to recoup their debts as large numbers are expected to go bust over the next three years. The double-whammy of local government budget cuts and the introduction of the national living wage has put the care home sector under significant pressure in recent years. Read more: Number of [...]