Retailers enjoy a third month of sales growth November 29, 2012 RETAIL sales growth accelerated in November, industry data out yesterday indicated, marking the third month of expansion after August’s small decline. The net balance of retailers who reported a rise in sales year-on-year rose to plus 33 per cent in November from plus 30 per cent in October, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. [...]
‘Tis the season November 29, 2012 ROASTED CHESTNUT DELUXE CANDLE Jo Malone, £80 www.jomalone.co.uk CRANBERRY WREATH Selfridges, £69.95 www.selfridges.com VINTAGE ROSE NAPKIN RINGS (SET OF 4) Walton & Co, £12 www.selfridges.com CHRISTMAS CARD HOLDER Selfridges, £34.95 www.selfridges.com SNOWFLAKE FELT COASTERS (SET OF 4) John Lewis, £15 www.johnlewis.com TARTAN CHRISTMAS STOCKING Gisela Graham, £15.95 www.selfridges.com LARGE TABLE RUNNER Walton & Co, £32 [...]
London Barometer November 29, 2012 October proved that the appetite for London properties continue to increase, with 10 per cent more offers received last month than the same time last year and the same increase in buyers year on year. Vendors remain precariously bullish in some cases, citing Christmas, lack of stock, expectations of price rises in London and falls [...]
London rejoices as Megafon IPO defies the odds November 28, 2012 MEGAFON, the mobile telecoms group controlled by Russia’s richest man, Alisher Usmanov, became the second largest share offering in Europe this year as it raised $1.7bn (£1.06bn) yesterday in London and Moscow despite concerns which had earlier led Goldman Sachs to step aside from the deal. The deal was assisted in its final stages by [...]
Consumer spending weak even with Christmas a month away November 28, 2012 SPENDING fell slightly going into the second half of November, data revealed yesterday, despite the proximity to Christmas. Spending was down 0.8 per cent in the four weeks to 19 November, figures from Visa revealed, despite a 1.2 per cent increase going into the last week of that period. This meant spending was some 3.7 [...]
Valere Capital backs our appeal November 28, 2012 THE CAPITALIST asks Mark Preston, principal of Valere Capital, why the firm is supporting the City A.M. Christmas Appeal this year. Why are Valere Capital supporting Opportunity International? The relationship between us came about due to my involvement with Opportunity when I was co-head of Corporate Markets at Lloyds TSB. With the support of my [...]
Giles handed limited overs role as England prune Flower duties November 28, 2012 FORMER England captain Nasser Hussain has welcomed the appointment of Warwickshire chief Ashley Giles as one-day international and Twenty20 head coach, but insists talk of him succeeding Andy Flower is premature. Giles will take charge for England’s January ODI campaign in India, which follow the current Test series, leaving Flower to concentrate on the five-day [...]
Functional but not the finished article November 27, 2012 FUNNY HOW the MPV, once the auto industry’s latest, cleverest idea, now seems a little old-fashioned. The compact SUV has pretty much superseded small MPVs because they have similar flexibility – for transporting mountain bikes, flat-pack furniture, dogs, as well as people – in a trendier 4×4 package. But it seems there’s still a place [...]
Bookies raise a glass to the surprise new Bank governor November 26, 2012 FOLLOWING the announcement yesterday that Canadian candidate Mark Carney is the new chosen one at the Bank of England, bookies have wasted no time in setting odds on his reign as governor. Ladbrokes has set odds of 8/1 that Carney will authorise a greater volume of quantitative easing than his predecessor. They also make interest [...]
International Greetings on track November 26, 2012 International Greetings, the maker of wrapping paper, cards and children’s party bags, said sales and underlying profits for the six months to 30 September were on track to meet City expectations, boosted by strong growth in the US. The UK-listed group is gearing up for the festive season and has made over 65m Christmas crackers [...]