UK retail sales index drops to five month low November 27, 2013 One survey has just shown retail trends at their lowest level in five months. The Confderation for British Industry's (CBI) indicator dropped from two to one in November, despite analysts expecting a monthly rise to eight. The CBI said that high-street sales were flat in the year to November, disappointing retailers' expectations for the second [...]
Asda hires new finance chief as Richard Mayfield joins Walmart November 26, 2013 ASDA has appointed a new chief financial officer after announcing yesterday that Richard Mayfield is to leave the retailer after just a year in the role to join parent company Walmart. The grocery chain said Alex Russo will join the group in January from Peruvian restaurant franchise specialist Delosi, which works with brands including Starbucks, [...]
Greencore draws a line under horsemeat as revenues rise November 26, 2013 GREENCORE posted a robust rise in full-year profits yesterday after recovering in the second half from a slump in the ready meal market caused by the horsemeat scandal. The food group, which makes own label products such as sandwiches and desserts for major supermarkets, said revenues increased by three per cent to £1.19bn in the [...]
Walmart names overseas boss McMillon as new chief executive November 25, 2013 WALMART yesterday named Doug McMillon as its new chief executive, replacing Mike Duke who will retire next year after five years at the helm of the world’s largest retailer. McMillon, who is currently in charge of Walmart’s fast-growing overseas empires including Asda in the UK, will take over from Duke on 29 January. Coming after [...]
Amazon contemplates Tube ticket offices as collection points November 22, 2013 Transport for London is said to be in talks with online retail giant Amazon to convert Tube ticket offices into "drop off" points for parcels. An Amazon Locker is already being trialled at Hammersmith station. The self-service collection points are popping up at pick-up locations across the UK, and are expected to be piloted in other Tube stations [...]
Britain’s four leading supermarkets lose share to discounters November 19, 2013 BRITAIN’S big four supermarkets have all lost market share for the first time on record while discount retailer Aldi claimed another record share, new data shows. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons saw their sales growth dip below the market average of 3.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to 10 November, Kantar Worldpanel said yesterday. [...]
Asda to launch click and collect in tube stations November 19, 2013 CUSTOMERS at Asda will be able to collect their weekly shops at London underground stations under plans announced today by the Walmart-owned supermarket chain. The company said it has struck a deal with Transport for London to open an initial six click and collect hubs at East Finchley, Wealdstone, High Barnet, Highgate, Stanmore, Harrow and [...]
Business bosses call for end to dithering on new runway plan November 19, 2013 DISGRUNTLED bosses have urged politicians to end their prolonged “dithering” on expanding Britain’s airports or face losing business to countries willing to allow more runways. More than a hundred corporate heads and business groups have signed the campaign to “Let Britain Fly”, which is backed by London First, the British Chambers of Commerce and the [...]
Calls grow for tax cut policies November 18, 2013 CALLS for tax cuts are building as the British economy finally starts to recover from years of stagnation, with politicians and business groups arguing that the time is now right to trim back the tax system. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said yesterday morning that he wants to push the coalition government’s income tax cuts [...]
Family finances show signs of stabilising: Asda November 17, 2013 FAMILY finances are beginning to show signs of stabilisation after months of wild fluctuations, according to Asda’s latest Income Tracker. The grocery chain’s Income Tracker monitors the changes in the amount of disposable income the average UK family has to spend. Households are no better off than they were last year, but their finances are [...]