John Lewis needs a retail chief to take charge and steer it back on track October 5, 2023 Sharon White's successor at John Lewis faces a difficult decision, writes George MacDonald, and must choose whether to follow her strategy or forge their own to bring the British retailer success again
Bless Him not a curse in the Challenge Cup October 4, 2023 AFTER a spectacular weekend of racing featuring a vintage renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, it’s a somewhat quieter affair this week. The feature race of the weekend is the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes (3.10pm) at Newmarket where Frankie Dettori bids for more big race success on the latest stage of his [...]
Retailers demand urgent action from government as crime soars October 1, 2023 Dozens of UK retailers have written to Suella Braverman demanding urgent action over the soaring number of crimes made in stores. Some 86 retail leaders, including the bosses of Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s, have signed a letter to the home secretary demanding the government clamp down on rising levels of theft and abuse towards [...]
Brexit ‘unpicked’? Starmer defends approach to EU as Tories go on the attack September 22, 2023 The Labour leader insisted there was no case for rejoining the EU, its single market or customs union after the Tories seized on comments suggesting he would not “diverge” from Brussels’ rules.
Ocado: Signs of progress at last as firm looks to continue share price turnaround September 19, 2023 Upmarket grocer Ocado has reported a 7.2 per cent surge in revenues to £569.6m in the third quarter as turnaround plans under the guidance of its year old chief executive appear to show signs of paying off. The digital supermarket, which operates as a joint venture with M&S, said the average orders per week at [...]
M&S turned it around and is now in FTSE 100. Here’s why John Lewis is so far off September 14, 2023 The John Lewis Partnership has had a torrid day, following an announcement it will push its turnaround plan back by two years. It’s the latest bit of bad news that has seen it fall further behind rival Marks and Spencer, whose high street revival recently raised its profit outlook after pivoting towards clothing and homeware. [...]
John Lewis boss: Fix high street or risk “looting grounds” in city centres September 11, 2023 A lack of attention will see "embolden shoplifters and organised gangs" take over the high street, Sharon White reckons
The X-Files at 30: What I learned from rewatching every episode September 6, 2023 This week marks the 30th anniversary of the X-Files first airing in 1993. A global smash of almost unprecedented levels (the premier of the 2016 reboot attracted 50 million viewers), it left an indelible mark on popular culture. I still vividly remember hunching over our ancient TV set every Monday evening, obsessing about a show [...]
Johnson Matthey share price up 13 per cent after investment firm doubles stake in British chemicals maker September 1, 2023 Shares in Johnson Matthey jumped almost 13 per cent on Friday after the investment arm of New York-based industrial firm Standard Industries nearly doubled its stake in the British chemicals maker to 10 per cent, making it the largest shareholder. Standard Latitude Master Fund had taken a 5.2 per cent stake in Johnson Matthey in April last year and spurred speculation that it [...]
M&S launches legal challenge after Gove blocks Oxford Street store revamp August 31, 2023 Marks and Spencer has launched a legal challenge against the government’s decision to reject the supermarket’s plan to revamp its Marble Arch store. The high street stalwart has accused Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, of unfairly applying planning policy to block the redesign of its flagship store. “We [...]