Sainsbury’s sees rising sales despite ‘uncertain’ outlook November 8, 2018 Sainsbury’s posted growth in underlying profit for its half-year results today, despite highlighting an 'uncertain' outlook ahead of the Christmas spending period. The figures Like-for-like sales climbed 0.6 per cent year on year during the six months, rising from the 0.2 per cent growth it reported for the first quarter of the year. That helped revenue hit £16.8bn, up [...]
Royal Mail shakes up management after series of setbacks as senior executive departs November 7, 2018 One of Royal Mail's top executives has agreed to step down from her role as the postal service shakes up its senior management following a series of knocks to its share price. Sue Whalley, head of the UK post and parcels division, will depart in March next year, and has left the board with immediate [...]
Singles’ Day is set to boom and European brands need to prepare November 6, 2018 When thinking about the significant e-commerce dates of the year, we would normally consider the obvious contenders like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but a new event is beginning to make headlines and grow in popularity in the west: Singles' Day. This event, held on 11 November and originating in China in the 1990s, is starting [...]
Tube strikes: Last-ditch talks collapse as unions prepare to walkout on two major Tube lines tomorrow November 6, 2018 Last-minute talks to avert strikes affecting three Tube lines have failed, meaning commuters must make other plans for getting to work tomorrow and Thursday. The Central Line and Waterloo & City Line are set to shut down for 24 hours from midnight tonight as Aslef drivers strike, with RMT drivers on that line joining the action. [...]
Festival goers give boost to consumer spending November 6, 2018 Music lovers snapping up tickets to Glastonbury Festival helped drive consumer spending during October, compensating for a continued slump in activity on Britain’s high streets. Industry data out today shows that consumer spending hit 4.4 per cent annual growth last month, marking a modest rise from September when purchasing hit a five-month low of 3.9 per [...]
Train union threatens Christmas ‘shutdown’ as commuters gear up for Central and Piccadilly Line strike on Wednesday November 5, 2018 Train driver union Aslef has threatened a widespread Christmas "shutdown" amid its ongoing industrial spat with Transport for London (TfL). Aslef said its executive committee will discuss resolutions from branches on the Northern and Hammersmith & City and Lines who have asked to be balloted for action. "Unless there is a rapid change of approach from management, [...]
King & Wood Mallesons’ City boss on rebuilding after the UK’s largest-ever law firm collapse November 4, 2018 When King & Wood Mallesons’ (KWM) European arm filed for administration on 17 January 2017 it was the culmination of a slow-motion car crash that had kept the UK legal market agog for months. Less than two years on the new London managing partner of what has been dubbed KWM 2.0 is not keen to [...]
What to look out for at next weekend’s Handmade Chelsea so you get ahead of the Christmas shopping game November 2, 2018 In the run-up to Christmas, shopping should be a pleasure, not a chore. And although shopping online has its conveniences, finding a gift that’s original, beautifully crafted and sold by the maker all add to the fun (or effort, depending on how you rate Christmas) of buying and giving. Handmade Chelsea is the luxury craft [...]
Apple shares drop as tech titan loses $1 trillion valuation November 2, 2018 Apple shares dived over five per cent as US markets opened today, causing the Californian company to fall below its $1 trillion valuation as investors reacted to its prediction of a Christmas slump. The tech giant yesterday warned shareholders that festive sales could fall below expectations, even as it recorded double-digit growth for the fifth consecutive [...]
Apple slides as Christmas sales forecast falters November 1, 2018 Californian tech giant Apple said its sales over the festive period could slip below consensus expectations, despite achieving its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth and its best September quarter to date. The company’s outlook on revenue for the rest of the year, which gives an indication on how well its latest products are [...]