Will rising costs kill off Savile Row’s renaissance? March 25, 2025 On a Wednesday morning earlier this month, there was plenty of activity on the shop floor at the Georgian townhouse that plays home to Richard James’ bespoke suit-making. One staff member is on the phone discussing colours and time frames, another getting a glass of water for a customer in the changing room, and smartly [...]
JD Sports: Nike woes could spell trouble for retailer says broker March 24, 2025 London broker Peel Hunt has downgraded its forecast for JD Sports ahead of the company’s full-year results next month due to short-term industry issues. Peel Hunt cut its projected profit before tax and earnings per share for JD Sports by three per cent for the financial year 2026. The broker attributed the downgrade to an [...]
In The Style: Huge debts revealed after rescue deal saves jobs March 24, 2025 In The Style owed more than £20m when it was rescued after collapsing into administration, it has been revealed. The Manchester-based fast-fashion brand rescued by Alps Sourcing Limited last week in a deal which secured 87 jobs. The debts have been revealed in a new document filed with Companies House by administrator FTS Recovery. What’s the [...]
What NOT to expect in the Spring Statement March 24, 2025 The Spring Statement shouldn’t be a big thing, but it’s increasingly feeling like it could be. Here's what Reeves should do, but won't.
London’s store closures finally return to pre-pandemic levels March 21, 2025 Retail closures in London stabilised last year after rising during the pandemic, according to a new survey. The capital lost about a store a day last year, with five stores closing and four new stores opening, according to PwC. Head of retail at PWC Jacqueline Windsor said the figures indicated “cautious optimism” for UK retail. [...]
Sibstar: Fintech backed by Dragons’ Den stars Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies seeking extra cash March 20, 2025 Fintech Sibstar, which is backed by Dragons’ Den stars Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies, has launched a new crowdfunding campaign in a bid to raise £350,000. The mobile app and debit card for people with dementia was founded by chief executive Jayne Sibley and secured £125,000 after appearing on the hit BBC One show last [...]
Norwegian oil fund buys a quarter of Covent Garden from Shaftesbury March 20, 2025 Shaftesbury Capital has sold a quarter of Covent Garden to Norwegian oil fund Norges for £570m in the latest bet by Noway’s sovereign wealth fund on the capital. Under the terms of the contract, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) will buy a 25 per cent non-controlling stake in the £2.7bn Covent Garden estate, which Shaftesbury [...]
‘I lament the pairing of trainers with suits’: Cheaney shoes’ Jonathan Church on swapping banking for brogues March 20, 2025 Church's shoes Jonathan Church is a veteran of the British footwear business. He tells us why he swapped banking for brogues.
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best restaurants in Florence March 20, 2025 Last week began with a wonderfully long lunch in Bluebird Chelsea with Mirabeau founder Stephen Cronk and his chief exec Richard Larkin. Everyone in the drinks business loves these guys, but I take credit for introducing the Batman and Robin of Provencal rose to each other back in 2017. In Bluebird, the restaurant atmosphere was [...]
In The Style: Fast-fashion brand saved after administration collapse March 19, 2025 In The Style has been sold after collapsing into administration in a move which put hundreds of jobs at risk of being lost. FTS Recovery had been appointed to oversee the administration process at the Manchester-based company before a deal with Alps Sourcing Limited was agreed. It has now been confirmed that 87 jobs in [...]