Marks & Spencer pay row: M&S makes new offer to workers – but campaigners say it isn’t enough September 2, 2016 Could this be the end of the long-running pay row between Marks & Sparks and its workers? Evidently not: the retailer today announced it had finished consulting with staff over pay, but campaigners don't think its conclusions are enough. In a statement today M&S said after a "thorough consultation" with its national employee representative group, it was offering [...]
Is Britain a BBQ nation? Laura Ivill thinks so and she’s spent the last few days of summer learning some grill skills September 1, 2016 Brits love to BBQ. I count the quality of the summer by how many BBQs I’ve had. A couple of years ago I had a New Zealand friend staying. So in tune with the BBQ lifestyle are the Kiwis that his family would have a cook-up on Christmas Day. On balmy evenings we would fire [...]
September is the new January for resolution-savvy Britons as the “back to school” mentality lives on August 31, 2016 If you've been feeling a pang of the old "back to school" feeling, rest assured – you're not the only one. The end of summer inspires Britons to get "back to life" after the holidays with a wave of self-improvements, making September a "secret new year", according to research from Pinterest. "September is becoming the new January with people [...]
Abercrombie & Fitch hurt by fierce competition in 14th straight quarterly sales drop August 30, 2016 Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is the latest US chain to post disappointing results. Shares ditched almost 14 per cent in the pre-market in New York as the company revealed its 14th consecutive quarterly sales decline. It blamed the slump on lower traffic at its out-of-town stores and a drop off in tourist spending. Same-store sales fell by [...]
Yes, really: Strip club and lapdance tycoon Peter Stringfellow will launch an online lingerie range before Christmas August 25, 2016 Despite the launch of the Night Tube, strip club tycoon Peter Stringfellow has found a new venture outside of the nighttime economy. It will, nonetheless, maintain his interest in scantily clad women. That's right, he's launching a lingerie line. Stringfellows Collection will be on sale online for baffled boyfriends and present-stressed husbands before Christmas, though he has [...]
John Lewis is recruiting 3,500 staff to help it through the Christmas season August 25, 2016 It may be August, but the big retailers are already preparing for the festive season to make the most out of the sector's busiest trading period. John Lewis is recruiting 3,500 staff to work in both the retail and distribution arms of the business during the Christmas season; all the temporary staff will go through training to [...]
Our resident chef Mark Hix champions the Kentish cob nut, a great seasonal ingredient and friend to Brussels sprouts August 23, 2016 The Kentish cob nut is one of those great seasonal ingredients, with an even greater history behind it. In the early 1800s, the Victorians loved this variation on the hazelnut and planted thousands of acres of cob nut trees. They were cultivated in large amounts by Mr Lambert of Gourdhurst in Kent and that’s how [...]
Recalling John Terry for England should be a non-starter – for lots of reason August 23, 2016 It's understandable that Sam Allardyce doesn’t want to rule anybody out as he settles into life as England’s new manager but he ought to think twice before talking up the possibility of recalling John Terry. I’m surprised that it is even being discussed. Bringing back former captain Terry after four years in the international wilderness [...]
David Brent: Life on the Road review: Ricky Gervais plays his excruciating old hits one more time August 18, 2016 Ricky Gervais may have captured the zeitgeist with The Office, but he’s reminded us often enough in the 13 years since it finished that it’s a bar he’s not always capable of hitting. This movie spin-off shows he can still play those toe-curling greatest hits, even if his film isn’t exactly brimming with new ideas. [...]
You can now buy the world’s oldest port wine brand online from Marks and Spencer August 16, 2016 Move over, craft beer. For the first time in five centuries, the world's oldest brand of port wine is now going to be available to buy online at a major UK retailer. Top-tier port brand Kopke's 1996 vintage has launched on Marks & Spencer online for £30 for a single bottle and can also be [...]