Dixons says it will gain from Comet collapse November 29, 2012 THE BOSS of Dixons Retail said he expected to grab a bigger slice of the market following rival Comet’s demise, as it returned to profit in the UK for the first time in five years. Sebastian James said Currys and PC World had not seen “much disruption” from the fire sale of Comet’s stock, as [...]
Dixons losses narrow November 29, 2012 Electrical retailer Dixons today announced that it has slightly reduced its pre-tax losses for the first six months of the year. The firm said it lost £22.2m for the 24 weeks to October 13, down from £25.3m for the same period last year. But the UK business, which largely operates under the Currys and PC [...]
Great Scot! It’s Aberdeen Asset’s Caledonian awards November 28, 2012 TO Ranald MacDonald’s Boisdale restaurant for the Aberdeen Asset Management Great Scot Awards 2012. Bagpipes were blaring to welcome tartan–clad guests to the patriotic dinner, held in association with City A.M. and Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Winners included Lord Steel of Aikwood, fashion designer Pam Hogg, actor Jamie Sives and Olympic gold medallist Tim Baillie [...]
Prepare for a brave new world of more investment choices November 25, 2012 NEW rules from the Financial Services Authority – the retail distribution review (RDR), which comes into effect on 1 January – intend to empower consumers by making investing more transparent. The idea is to help retail investing work more effectively. But investors will also face greater choice in how they buy their investments, and this [...]
Mutton doesn’t have to dress like lamb: it’s just fine as it is November 5, 2012 Head chef, Paternoster Chop House I don’t know why but people have started asking me about mutton. Maybe it’s because I run a British restaurant and I have big mutton chop sideburns – but whatever: it’s got me thinking. Why don’t we eat more mutton in this country, and could there be a demand for [...]
Supermarkets to sell Skype credit November 4, 2012 While retailers are rushing to expand their online presence, Skype, the internet phone service, announced today it is making a move onto the UK high street in a tie-up with five supermarkets to sell credit in stores. The US firm, which has 254m connected users per month, said it is to sell £10 or £20 [...]
Comet’s passing brings a brief celebration for rivals’ shares but the challenges they face haven’t gone away November 1, 2012 COMETS are said to burn across the sky on the death of a prince. The passing of this Comet was marked instead by the rise of its rivals’ share prices, with Dixons Retail Group doing especially well on the assumption that its chains will pick up business. But no one can pretend that kind of [...]
WH Smith boss Kate Swann to leave retailer October 11, 2012 WH Smith yesterday announced Kate Swann is to step down as chief executive next year after heading the retailer for almost a decade. Swann will hand over the reins to Steve Clarke, managing director of the group’s high street division, next July after overseeing its crucial Christmas period and ensuring “a smooth transition” of the [...]
Taking a long view: Radical ideas for the Conservative’s manifesto October 8, 2012 IF YOU’RE keen to catch sight of what the Conservative party might look like in a decade’s time, you should make your way to the Sonata room at the Hyatt Hotel in Birmingham at half past seven this evening. A fringe meeting there, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Free Enterprise Group [...]
As the Conservative conference begins, will the party recapture the political initiative? October 7, 2012 YES Alex Singleton It’s easy to underestimate David Cameron and write him off as wishy-washy. But he’s actually one of the most determined men in politics, who will ruthlessly ditch policies that he deems electorally damaging. His reshuffle last month gave a clear indication that he is listening to critics. Some want to write him [...]