Brand Index: Never mind the hare and bear – Brits are going budget December 17, 2013 OUR RECENT online focus group of people from the so-called “squeezed middle” revealed that they are not feeling the benefits of the economic recovery and also have virtually no faith in politicians (from any political party) to help improve their lot. This week I will delve into which brands the squeezed middle are warming to this [...]
I mince pie with my little eye… December 17, 2013 This week, we salute the humble mince pie. They’re as much a part of a British Christmas as Buck’s Fizz, crackers and pigs in blankets. Here, the City A.M. team gives their verdict on the best luxury pies in the run up to the big day Konditor & Cook Mince Pie Dozen 7.8/10 With the [...]
Marks & Spencer are making all their toys gender neutral by Spring 2014 December 17, 2013 Retailer Marks and Spencer have committed to making all their toys gender neutral by Spring 2014. @stellacreasy Hi Stella, we’ve listened to customer feedback and by Spring next year all of our toys will be gender neutral. Thanks — M&S (@marksandspencer) December 17, 2013 The announcement follows Twitter complaints about their "Boy Stuff Marble [...]
Inside Track: Bank of America Merrill Lynch closes 2013 with a flurry December 12, 2013 THE timing appeared so impeccable, you almost felt it must have been staged. Just as Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s head of equity capital markets was running through a presentation on how the bank has gained market share over the year, one of the mobiles on the desk in front of him rang. With that [...]
Supermarkets grow ahead of shopping malls December 8, 2013 THE AMOUNT of space being added by UK supermarkets has overtaken that being added by shopping centres for the first time, despite some retailers calling an end to the space race as consumers shift to shopping online. The pipeline of grocery developments has grown by 67 per cent, or 19.24m square feet (sq ft) since [...]
Marks & Spencer chooses a new auditor after 87 years with PwC December 5, 2013 MARKS & Spencer has parted ways with PwC, picking a new auditor for the first time since the FTSE 100 retailer became a public company in 1926. M&S said yesterday it has appointed Deloitte as its new auditor following a competitive tender. The switch comes at a time when the close and often decades-long relationship [...]
Quintain lifted as shoppers hit Wembley outlet November 25, 2013 QUINTAIN said its new designer outlet village at Wembley has got off to a flying start with over 350,000 visitors since opening four weeks ago, as the developer reported a return to profit yesterday. Chief executive Max James, who took over from Quintain’s founder Adrian Wyatt 18 months ago, said: “We were taken aback by [...]
Hong Kong’s Gaw buys M&S London offices November 21, 2013 HONG KONG-based private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners and three South Korean investors have teamed up to buy the London headquarters of retailer Marks & Spencer for around $321m (£198m), adding to a string of property deals by Asian investors this year. Asian investors, including insurers and banks, are buying into European properties as a way [...]
Arcadia’s Philip Green sets up for a food fight November 14, 2013 SIR PHILIP Green is plotting to take on supermarkets and long-time rival Marks & Spencer by launching food outlets in up to 150 of his BHS stores. The retail tycoon said yesterday that he has drawn up plans for convenience food stores within BHS and will make a decision by the end of the year [...]
Bottom Line: Christmas comes early for King November 13, 2013 THEY say good things come to those who wait. Yesterday, almost a week after rival retailers Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Morrisons released their Christmas adverts, the UK’s fastest growing supermarket revealed its own tear-jerker – a three-and-a-half minute mini-film that aired during last night’s Coronation Street. The film, which shows clips of ordinary [...]