Gala Coral changes board as new chief is appointed November 8, 2010 CASINO group Gala Coral yesterday announced the appointment of former Marks & Spencer director Carl Leaver as its new chief executive, to replace interim CEO and chairman Neil Goulden, who is leaving the company. Leaver was the high street retailer’s director of international, home and direct businesses until 2009, having previously worked for De Vere [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 7, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES DHL CHIEF PROMISES ACTION OVER BOMB FEARS The head of one of the three big air-express companies has reacted to the parcel bombs sent from Yemen and Greece by pledging better screening of customers and packages before they reach airports. “What we need to do is improve surveillance at the pick-up point, have [...]
M&S to reveal new masterplan November 7, 2010 MARKS & SPENCER will tomorrow unveil its blueprint for expansion with new chief executive Marc Bolland at the helm. The retail giant’s half-year results mark the start of a new era as Bolland shapes the company’s future – with international expansion expected to be high on the agenda. Analysts and investors are expecting a detailed [...]
Growth in China on the cards at Boots November 7, 2010 HIGH STREET health and beauty retailer Boots hopes to make headway in China when its executive chairman travels to the country as part of David Cameron’s first official visit as Prime Minister. Stefano Pessina has reportedly organised talks with potential partners in Beijing and Shanghai while he is in the country, as part of a [...]
Paphitis reveals lingerie plans November 4, 2010 Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has said that his new lingerie range will be launched under the name Boux Avenue. The mid market brand will be launched at Shopping centres including the Trafford in Manchester. The brand will be up against La Senza, which Paphitis used to own, as well as Marks and Spencer and [...]
M&S looks to Europe again October 31, 2010 MARKS & Spencer (M&S) is reportedly planning an ambitious return to continental Europe by buying back the stores it left almost ten years ago. The retailer is believed to be holding discussions with Spanish chain El Corte Ingles about taking back some of the nine stores it sold in 2001. M&S is also believed to [...]
Stuart Rose cheers One New Change October 28, 2010 CITY shopping centre One New Change attracted thousands of workers from across the Square Mile when it opened for trading yesterday. Outgoing Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose officially opened the mall, which is home to 60 shops and restaurants on Cheapside opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Topshop owner Sir Philip Green and representatives of [...]
All change for Square Mile shopaholics October 24, 2010 SHOPPING centre One New Change opens its doors to customers on Thursday, though up to 30 per cent of the shops will not be ready for the launch. Several people close to the development have said between 70 and 90 per cent of retailers will open on Thursday, with the rest aiming to complete their [...]
Uniq’s unique escape trick October 20, 2010 Convenience food maker Uniq has devised a unique way of resolving its crippling pension deficit – by effectively selling itself to its pension trustees. The firm, which supplies sandwiches to Marks & Spencer, is waiting on regulatory clearance to finalise a deficit for equity swap that will sign over 90 per cent of the firm [...]
RBC makes £963m offer for Bluebay October 18, 2010 BLUEBAY Asset Management has accepted a takeover offer from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), it said yesterday, in a deal which values the fixed income investment firm at £963m ($1.5bn). Bluebay shareholders, if they agree to the deal, will receive 485p per share representing a premium of 29.1 per cent on the fund manager’s closing [...]