TIFFANY HINTS AT STRONG CHRISTMAS November 24, 2010 LUXURY jewellry retailer Tiffany said yesterday its fiscal third-quarter profit rose a better-than-expected 27 per cent, helped by demand across most geographic regions. Tiffany’s quarterly net income rose to $55.1m (£34.8m), or 43 cents a share, from $43.3m, or 35 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Sales in the quarter ended 31 October rose [...]
Kinnect with the family this Christmas November 24, 2010 FORGET the Xbox you know: the Xbox of Halo and Assassin’s Creed. Instead, try to imagine an Xbox full of giant furry animals, soothing raft rides and cute dance moves to get you in shape. Now add a slick new peripheral that detects your motions without the need for a manual controller and you have the [...]
PM’S GAGS HAS HACKS ROLLING IN THE AISLES November 24, 2010 SEVERAL dozen political hacks were yesterday treated to an unusual dinner guest as David Cameron became the first serving Prime Minister to attend their regular parliamentary lunch club in 31 years. Asked about how he saw his role, he gave a concise summary of his prime ministerial style: “I see myself as more of a [...]
Christmas hampers for gourmets November 24, 2010 Fortnum & Mason The Classic Christmas Hamper (£150) is a veritable box of delights, containing a Christmas pudding, cognac butter, cognac marmalade, mulling spices, assorted English creams and, er, a musical biscuit tin (it plays Jingle Bells, natch). www.fortnumandmason.com British Fine Foods Online shop BFF takes the effort out of shopping for the big day [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 23, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES CAMERON WOOS NORDIC NATIONS David Cameron is to host a summit with leaders of Nordic and Baltic countries in January, an unusual move which Downing Street billed as an opportunity to exchange ideas on issues such as the green economy, social cohesion and gender equality. Cameron’s spokeswoman insisted the summit was not an [...]
Vodafone joins iPad sales war November 23, 2010 VODAFONE is in talks to bring a discounted iPad to the market after rivals Orange and T-Mobile announced this week they will sell the tablets less than half price with a contract. O2 is understood to be less keen to offer iPads locked to a lengthy contract, especially with an upgrade rumoured to be due [...]
Sales of super-high heels lift sales at Kurt Geiger stores November 23, 2010 LUXURY shoe brand Kurt Geiger has reported a 25 per cent rise in turnover in the nine months to November this year, as ladies have flocked to buy its coveted 120mm-high heels. Sales of its highest heels quadrupled compared with a year earlier, it said in its third quarter trading update. Sales of red and [...]
BRIEFS | LEGAL NEWS November 23, 2010 CAMERONS OUTSOURCING DEAL CMS Cameron McKenna is to become the first major law firm to outsource its entire backroom operation, Legal Week has reported. Outsourcing company Integreon promises that it can save the top 20 firm 10-15 per cent on its backroom costs. Camerons has been in talks with Integreon since May, but a partner [...]
Spotify could miss Christmas US launch November 23, 2010 Spotify’s US launch is being met with increasing scepticism by analysts. The music streaming service said this week it will press ahead with its plans to launch in the US before Christmas, despite announcing a full-year loss of £16.7m for 2009. “I’d be very surprised if they manage to pull this off in the timeframe [...]
West End shops go traffic-free this weekend November 23, 2010 REGENT Street and Oxford Street will be vehicle-free between 10am and 6pm this Saturday, allowing millions of Londoners to indulge in Christmas shopping on foot. Stores are offering up to 50 per cent off and opening as early as 8am, as they compete for the attention of an anticipated two million shoppers. By VIP Day [...]