THE TIPSTER December 8, 2010 Retailers have had mixed results recently with supermarket Tesco announcing bumper numbers and Game Group doing the opposite. HMV steps up to the plate today and investors will want to know if the Christmas season is providing a welcome uptick in sales. The share price has performed poorly so far in 2010 but it seems [...]
Christmas networking tips December 8, 2010 NETWORKING GURU IT’S party season: your best chance in the whole year to make new contacts. Here are five steps to better networking. 1. SMILE. “It makes you both more relaxed and positive,” says networking expert Daphne Thissen. Also, keep eye contact when talking, and respond to what people are saying. “It makes people feel [...]
Give your career a new year’s boost December 8, 2010 WITH 2011 on the horizon, now is an excellent time to start thinking about adding a new string to your bow. If you are in search of a New Year’s Resolution, you could do worse than choose to study for a professional qualification. Luckily, there are options this January. BPP is launching its MBA next [...]
LYNN CROOK, SELFRIDGES’ BUYING MANAGER FOR CHILDRENSWEAR AND TOYS, ON HOW TO SHOP December 8, 2010 Q.Should you blitz the shops at once or pace yourself? A.A blitz could mean one big manic, fun-filled day with plenty of treats to break it up and make it a great day out. The very organised among you might want to pace yourself, though. Q.What are your top tips for not getting overwhelmed? A.Listen [...]
Four great experiences for the true aficionado December 8, 2010 l You can’t beat a day of pampering for unwinding after the Christmas rush. Any chap looking to really indulge a lady should look to the spa at the plush Sofitel St James’s Hotel, whose ultimate package includes a crystal necklace from renowned French glassware company Baccarat. For pampering, you get the Zenith Signature treatment, [...]
Interiors December 8, 2010 If hitting the shops doesn’t appeal, you can find a world of exciting goodies online. Portero.com is a luxury auction site for accessories where all items are certified and quality checked – it’s like Ebay with insurance, so you can pick up a Birkin in mint condition. For less designer and more organic, etsy.com has [...]
MPC poised to hold rates at 0.5 per cent December 8, 2010 INTEREST rates are expected to stay at 0.5 per cent today, after the Bank of England’s rate setting committee meet for the final time this year. A split has emerged in the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in recent months, with “hawk” Andrew Sentance pushing the case for a rate rise and “dove” Adam Posen arguing [...]
Kesa profit is up but Comet falling behind December 8, 2010 ELECTRICALS group Kesa yesterday reported a 52 per cent rise in profit – helped by sales of televisions for the World Cup in the summer. But losses at its UK arm Comet increased to £5.4m from £1.5m, as the bill for store revamps and tough trading conditions took their toll. The company said it would [...]
Crackers boost for Greetings December 8, 2010 INTERNATIONAL Greetings, the cards and wrapping manufacturer, yesterday reported a surge in demand for Christmas crackers. Total first-half sales rose 13 per cent to £104.5m, with pre-tax profits more than doubling from £1m to £2.1m in the six months to the end of September. Chief executive Paul Fineman said the company will sell 70m crackers [...]
OUT OF OFFICE December 8, 2010 RUDOLPH PIE FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS Covent Garden’s confusingly-named Battersea Pie Station – a paradise for those who like their lunches hot, meaty pastry-topped – is getting in the festive spirit with a very tasty reindeer pie – called The Rudolph, natch – that’s available throughout this month. If those reindeer aren’t actually going to help [...]