Waitrose ranked best UK supermarket in annual Which survey February 22, 2020 Waitrose has been ranked as the best supermarket in the UK in an annual satisfaction survey conducted by Which. The chain, which is owned by John Lewis, hit five stars on most categories, but did come joint-last in value for money. Budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl continue to be ranked highest in terms of value. [...]
Cabinet reshuffle live: Chancellor resigns over turf war with No 10, as PM shakes up top team February 13, 2020 This is a live blog, please hit refresh to update 6pm – Live blog wrap Well, that’s your lot for today – at least, in terms of this live blog. My colleagues will be picking up on the rest of the appointments this evening and tomorrow. It was quite a day – certainly more of [...]
M&S bolsters menswear team after skinny jeans fiasco February 12, 2020 Marks & Spencer (M&S) has appointed a new menswear buying director, after the retailer’s Christmas sales were dented when it ordered too many skinny jeans in the wrong sizes. M&S chief executive Steve Rowe has been battling to turn the clothing and home division around, but total revenue slumped 3.7 per cent in the third [...]
How should Waitrose move on as Ocado deal comes to an end? February 12, 2020 Supermarket chain Waitrose has announced an overhaul of its products and a new advertising campaign to retain customers this summer when its deal with delivery provider Ocado comes to an end. Ocado’s partnership with Waitrose comes to an end in August, and a new deal with Marks & Spencer will be delivered shortly after. As [...]
Ocado falls to £215m loss after Andover warehouse fire February 11, 2020 Online supermarket Ocado fell to a £214.5m loss last year, which the company blamed on a huge fire which burned down one of its warehouses in Andover last February. The figures Group revenue rose 9.9 per cent in the year, up from £1.6bn in 2018 to £1.8bn this year. This was largely driven by 10.3 [...]
Marks and Spencer appoints new chief financial officer February 11, 2020 Marks and Spencer has announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer, at a time when the group is trying to revive its fortunes. Eoin Tonge will join from Irish convenience food retailer Greencore in June after his predecessor Humphrey Singer stood down in September last year. Marks and Spencer boss Steve Rowe said: [...]
M&S appoints strategy and transformation director February 5, 2020 Marks & Spencer has appointed a new chief strategy and transformation director as the retailer seeks to improve the performance of its key clothing and home division. Former Dixons Carphone UK and Ireland boss Katie Bickerstaffe, currently a non-executive director at the high street chain, will take up the new role on 27 April. Bickerstaffe, [...]
Fevertree shares sink 20 per cent as it warns on profit January 20, 2020 Fevertree’s shares plunged today as it warned that “subdued” Christmas trading in the UK would knock 2019 profit lower than last year’s total. The tonic maker now expects revenue growth of 9.7 per cent to £260.5m, compared to 2018’s 40 per cent growth rate. That will see sales miss expectations for 2019, leading Fevertree to [...]
Marks & Spencer shares slip as clothing underperformance weighs on Christmas trading January 9, 2020 Marks & Spencer’s Christmas performance was weakened by poor sales in its menswear business, after the retailer ordered too many skinny jeans in the wrong sizes. The high street chain said it over ordered skinny and slim-fit mens’ trousers, under-bought regular fit jeans and had too many small sizes and not enough medium and large. [...]
Credit card giant Newday set to buy finance platform Deko January 9, 2020 Credit card issuer Newday has reportedly agreed to purchase retail finance platform Deko in a bid to boost its tech credentials. Newday has reached a deal to acquire Deko for up to £40m, depending on the tech provider’s performance, Sky News reported. Read more: ‘Worst year on record’ for retailers in 2019 If the purchase [...]