Reiss snaps up retail boss tipped for M&S clothing job February 20, 2017 Reiss has appointed Christos Angelides as its new chief executive. Angelides, who has spent 28 years at rival retailer Next, had been tipped to become Marks and Spencer's clothing and homeware boss. But he said today that he has "long admired the strength of the Reiss brand" and looks forward to working with founder and [...]
Check out: 1,800 hotel firms could go bust in the next three years February 20, 2017 Nearly 2,000 UK hotel companies could go bust over the next three years as a result of the Brexit vote, according to new research from accountancy firm Moore Stephens. The accountancy firm predicts 1,800 UK hotel companies have at least a 30 per cent chance of going insolvent within the next three years as food and beverage [...]
Amazon creates thousands of new jobs in another win for post-Brexit UK and Expedia expands London office February 20, 2017 Amazon is the latest US tech giant to commit to the UK after the vote for Brexit, promising to create thousands of new jobs by the end of the year. Some 5,000 full-time jobs will be created across Amazon's business in the UK, bringing total headcount to 24,000 by the end of 2017. The plans include jobs [...]
Kraft Heinz has “amicably agreed” to withdraw its $140bn mega-bid for Unilever February 20, 2017 US food giant Kraft Heinz shocked the financial world last night, scrapping its $140bn (£113bn) takeover bid for Unilever just two days after news of the offer was leaked. Kraft said it had "amicably agreed" to abandon the proposed merger, which would have been the second largest in corporate history, and the largest ever acquisition of [...]
UK fashion industry showcases its wares at London fashion week February 19, 2017 Designers, buyers and supermodels have descended on the capital for its 65th fashion week. The trade fare is hosting over 5,000 guests and will showcase collections from 120 designers including Burberry, Mulberry and Donatella Versace's Versus line. Designers will be trying to entice buyers and drum up business across more than 51 catwalk shows. And [...]
The business rates backlash continues… this time Sainsbury’s speaks out February 19, 2017 Sainsbury's is the latest company to raise its voice amid growing concern over the impending rise in business rates which will see thousands of businesses with a bigger bill. The supermarket's chief executive Mike Coupe slammed the levy as "archaic" and called for reforms to "level the playing field with firms such as Amazon which [...]
More tourists came to the UK in 2016 than ever before February 17, 2017 No, it's not your imagination – there were more tourists visiting the UK than ever before in 2016. Last year, a record-breaking 37.3m inbound visitors filled the streets of Britain, up three per cent from 2015 and even more than the predicted number of 36.7m, VisitBritain's latest figures show. The numbers point to strong growth from North America. [...]
These are the brands a combined Kraft Heinz and Unilever would own February 17, 2017 Kraft Heinz revealed today that it has approached rival consumer goods giant Unilever about a potential merger. While its initial approach was rebuffed, Kraft Heinz said discussions with Unilever are ongoing. If the deal goes ahead, the combined group would own over 600 brands. These are the household names involved in the potential mega-merger: Marmite [...]
Asda has mixed Prosecco and Pinot Grigio to create an unholy booze chimera February 17, 2017 Remember that time Italian politicians discovered British pubs were serving Prosecco on tap and, um, took exception? Well, there's a good chance Britain is about to offend their delicate sensibilities again, after Asda unveiled Progrigio. Yes, it's a Frankensteinian blend of Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. In an article for Asda Good Living, Asda wine buyer Jack Clayton describes it [...]
Here’s some food for thought: The courgette crisis is no joke – the UK’s food security is at stake February 17, 2017 News of the so-called courgette crisis has been greeted with a certain amount of mirth in the press. The image of middle-class diners looking lost without their spiralized suppers after an uncommonly soggy winter in Spain was never going to provoke an outpouring of sympathy. However, a new report commissioned by Morrisons today suggests we [...]