John Lewis Christmas advert 2014: Monty the penguin gets 2.5 million views in less than 12 hours. Will it be the most shared Christmas ad ever? October 29, 2015 The latest Christmas advert from John Lewis has been viewed more than 2.5m times in less than 12 hours since being released online. The new ad, featuring a cuddly penguin called Monty, debuted to much fanfare at 8am today on YouTube and Facebook before it hits TV screens tomorrow during an ad break on Channel [...]
John Lewis’ Monty the Penguin beats Sainsbury’s, Harvey Nichols, Lidl to be crowned most compelling Christmas 2014 advert October 29, 2015 By now you will have met John Lewis' Monty, unwrapped Lidl's little present and cried over Sainsbury's wartime sharing. But which of these adverts is most likely to make you spend money? Despite the debate around whether Sainsbury's might have stolen John Lewis' crown for creating festive ads guaranteed to get you blubbing, it [...]
Apple share price rises on record results October 28, 2015 Apple's share price has risen 2.89 per cent as markets opened in the US after record breaking results, which the company reported yesterday. The company had expected earnings per share for the three months to the end of September to hit the $1.87 – $1.88 mark, but beat expectations by a long way, with the figure coming in [...]
Black Friday 2015: What UK retailers need to do to make the most of the retail bonanza on 27 November October 28, 2015 Last year, shoppers in the UK spent a staggering £810m during Black Friday and this year is set to break all previous records. For the first time ever, consumer spending across the nation is forecast to top £1bn in one day, representing an enormous opportunity for UK retailers. The impact of Black Friday for retailers [...]
Why pumpkins are not just for carving this Halloween – and how you can turn yours into great recipes by celebrity chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ainsley Harriott and Mark Hix October 28, 2015 This week the chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall described the UK as the food waste capital of Europe. The facts make it hard to disagree. Every day 24 million slices of bread are thrown out by UK households. More than one in five households admit to binning an entire loaf of bread before even opening or slicing [...]
Who is Jes Staley? Former J P Morgan chief executive takes reins at Barclays October 28, 2015 It was widely rumoured for days before but this morning Barclays finally confirmed Jes Staley would be taking the reins at the bank. He'll have plenty of work in his inbox when he arrives on 1 December. But what is his background and what are the key priorities? Who is Jes Staley? The 58-year-old is a banking [...]
Next ups full year profit guidance after strong third quarter as it pays out 60 pence per share dividend October 28, 2015 High street retailer Next has raised its guidance for full year profit after another strong quarter. The figures Next's retail arm grew sales 5.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 October, while its directory division grew by 6.2 per cent, giving the group as a whole a six per cent increase in sales. [...]
Littlewoods owner Shop Direct posts record profits thanks to mobile sales boom October 27, 2015 Shop Direct has posted a 78 per cent leap in full-year profits thanks to booming mobile sales and a surge in customers flocking to its main website Very.co.uk. The online retailer, which pulled the shutters down on its catalogue business this year, said pre-tax profits reached a record £71.7m in the year to 30 June [...]
West End retailers poised for £2.3bn Christmas and Black Friday 2015 shopping bonanza October 27, 2015 West End retailers are bracing themselves for a £2.3bn shopping bonanza this Christmas, with spending set to reach its highest level since 2007, as higher disposable incomes and lower prices help boost consumer confidence. London’s main shopping streets – Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street – are expecting a 1.2 per cent uplift in sales [...]
As it receives a mauling in the House of Lords, will tax credit cuts be this government’s poll tax? October 26, 2015 Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, says Yes The Conservative Party’s cuts to tax credits are as misguided as their attempts to bring in the poll tax. This is effectively a tax rise targeted towards millions of the lowest paid people in our country. And remember, these people are doing the right thing – [...]