City Moves for 25 March 2016 | Who’s switching jobs April 25, 2016 FARMDROP Former Marks & Spencer head of logistics, Philip Eaves has joined online marketplace, Farmdrop as its first director of supply chain. The appointment coincides with a major product upgrade as the online marketplace launches one-hour slot, seven-day deliveries via its fleet of zero emission electric vans and Farmdroppers. Philip previously headed up logistical development [...]
Who went to Britain Stronger In Europe’s exclusive (and secretive) Knightsbridge fundraiser? April 20, 2016 Financial big guns flocked to a lavish dinner tonight to raise funds for the coiffers of campaigners who are fighting to keep Britain in the European Union. Lord Peter Mandelson, alongside Britain Stronger In Europe chairman and former Marks & Spencer exec Stuart Rose were among a number of notable attendees to join the event at an exclusive Knightsbridge hotel, City A.M. [...]
New M&S boss Steve Rowe reshuffles womenswear team “to reflect way customers shop” April 20, 2016 Marks & Spencer's new chief executive Steve Rowe has reshuffled the retailer's womenswear teams after pledging to revive the fortunes of the troubled clothing division. The company confirmed it has made some alterations to the way the teams are set up across design, buying and merchandising, resulting in changes to around 200 people's roles. The change means that whereas before a [...]
Health retailer The Hut hails landmark year as earnings soar following a rise in overseas expansion April 19, 2016 Online health and beauty retailer The Hut Group, whose company tagline is "Attention to retail", has posted a rise in underlying earnings of 33 per cent to £30m in 2015. International sales soared to £167m, up 46 per cent after growing its international business and now accounts for more than 50 per cent of the groups sales. The group, backed by ex-Marks [...]
As Buckingham Palace prepares for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday, here are some of the worst tributes on offer April 18, 2016 Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 90th birthday this year, and the whole corporate world is clamouring to celebrate it with her. As the nation gears up to wish her maj a happy birthday, UK retailers are also cashing in on the moment in history. Affordable Accessories Affordable jeweller Signet is patriotically promoting products at its Ernest & [...]
Alexa Chung for Marks & Spencer has dropped – but what’s the verdict? April 14, 2016 Marks & Spencer's latest attempt to win over the fashionistas (and presumably also the people that actually shop in M&S) landed in shops yesterday. The retailer needs all the help it can get to boost its bottom line – but will this be the collection to swing it? Here's our verdict… What is it? Archive by Alexa [...]
House of Fraser posts first profit in a decade April 13, 2016 House of Fraser has posted a return to profit for the first time since 2006, as the venerable department store business goes from strength to strength under its Chinese parent. The figures Sales were up 4.2 per cent to £1.3bn for the year to 30 January, with online sales up 26.8 per cent. They now account [...]
Marks & Spencers has released another set of disappointing numbers – is the new boss the same as the old boss? April 8, 2016 So here we are again. Marks & Spencer has put out another set of dismal results, marking the 17th quarter of clothing sales declines out of 18 at what is the nation’s defining retailer. The story was similar to so many that we’ve heard before: general merchandise was a disappointment (although admittedly, the 2.7 per cent [...]
Marks & Spencer’s share price soars as it reveals better-than-expected fourth quarter figures in Steve Rowe’s first results (but clothing is still down) April 7, 2016 Marks & Spencer's share price soared more than three per cent this morning after posting a better-than-expected set of fourth quarter results – albeit yet another set of declines in general merchandise. The figures Group sales at the high street giant were up 1.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 March, but as with [...]
Will Marks & Spencer’s new boss Steve Rowe “kitchen sink” the retailer? April 4, 2016 Marks & Spencer's new boss Steve Rowe picked up the reins from Marc Bolland on Friday – just days before the troubled retailer is due to reveal its fourth quarter figures. If M&S' most recent set of results is anything to go by, investors can probably expect another set of declines – particularly within general [...]