Asda hurt by first sales drop in three years February 20, 2014 ASDA chief executive Andy Clarke yesterday admitted it had been a “tough year” after the supermarket chain reported its first fall in sales for three years. The Walmart owned chain said like-for-like sales fell 0.1 per cent in the 13 weeks to 3 January, compared to the same period a year ago, marking its first [...]
You won’t recognise your high street bank in five years’ time February 20, 2014 Small branches with more machines than staff are the future of banking for Britain’s biggest lenders, as Lloyds joins Barclays in creating a new kind of store. Lloyds is understood to be looking into opening new branches in London – a radical change from the industry trend of cutting back on expensive stores in favour [...]
Barclays releases key profit figures early February 10, 2014 We've got some early Barclays news. The bank has released some key figures ahead of its full year results (due tomorrow at 7.00am). Within the results, Barclays will announce adjusted profit before tax for 2013 of £5.2bn and statutory profit before tax of £2.9bn. Barclays' pre-released figures don’t factor in additional charges for litigation and [...]
Asda boss Andy Clarke’s 4 top leadership tips | City A.M. February 6, 2014 Speaking last night at the British Retail Consortium’s Future Retail Leader’s event, Asda chief executive Andy Clarke gave an account of his journey to the top – starting with the day he left school with just one O Level in English at 15. Realising he had spent too much time on the rugby pitch in [...]
Asda boss Andy Clarke’s 4 top leadership tips February 5, 2014 Speaking last night at the British Retail Consortium’s Future Retail Leader’s event, Asda chief executive Andy Clarke gave an account of his journey to the top – starting with the day he left school with just one O Level in English at 15. Realising he had spent too much time on the rugby pitch in [...]
Barclays takes £330m blow January 29, 2014 BARCLAYS fourth quarter results will be around £330m worse than previously expected, the bank warned investors yesterday. The results, to be published on 11 February, will include a £220m charge against costs as well as a £110m underperformance in its investment banking arm. The lender is in the process of a major set of reforms, [...]
Sainsbury’s chief to step down after ten year rule January 29, 2014 SAINSBURY’S chief executive Justin King is to step down after ten years at the helm, having overseen nine years of consecutive growth and restored the company’s status as Britain’s second largest supermarket chain. King will step down at the company’s annual general meeting in July, when he will be replaced by Sainsbury’s commercial director Mike [...]
Bottom Line: An orderly handover but uneasy lies any head wearing this crown January 29, 2014 LONG live the new king. Sainsbury’s emphasis is firmly on continuity as it announces its new boss. The choice of commercial director Mike Coupe is the antithesis of a palace coup – every inch a loyal insider, Coupe is closely tied to King’s strategic vision, as demonstrated by his involvement in recent successes like Brand [...]
Waitrose and Tesco to set up Tube collection January 29, 2014 TESCO and Waitrose are opening six click-and-collect points each in the London Underground this year, as part of TfL’s efforts to get more retailers using the Tube. The supermarkets will follow Asda, which is running a six-month trial in car parks near Tube stations, with plans to open more outlets this year. Tesco will launch [...]
5 things you didn’t know about new Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe January 29, 2014 Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King is leaving the supermarket in July – but what do we know about his replacement and current commercial director, Mike Coupe?1. A country boy at heart, Coupe was born in Watford in 1960 but was brought up in West Sussex. His mum was a housewife and his dad was an inventor [...]