Marks & Spencer (M&S) share price falls after saying sales slump could have been much worse, had it not been for a “better” Christmas January 11, 2018 Food and clothing sales at Marks & Spencer fell in the final three months of 2017, the firm announced this morning. Total third-quarter sales in the UK dropped by 1.4 per cent to £2.9bn. Shares fell almost three per cent in morning trades. Boss Steve Rowe labelled the trading returns for the quarter “mixed”. He [...]
Primark hires former Zara Basic head Paula Dumont Lopez in bid to move up the clothing retailer ranks December 23, 2017 Primark has pulled in Paula Dumont Lopez, a former head of product at Zara Basic, as its new womenswear chief. The budget high street chain, which currently lags Marks and Spencer (M&S) and Next as the UK’s third largest clothing retailer, is to begin in January next year. Read more: Next’s sales return to growth [...]
Our luxury mince pie taste test 2017 sorts through the best gourmet offerings on the market December 13, 2017 It wouldn’t be Christmas without almost every favourite festive food getting a ‘premium’ makeover, and mince pies are no exception. These posh pies all put a gourmet spin on the classic Christmas snack – but which one delivered the goods? MARKS & SPENCER ★★★☆☆ These citrusy circles topped with pastry stars are so packed with [...]
Crossrail latest: Here’s a look at how the new Paddington Elizabeth Line station is shaping up November 28, 2017 Work on the £14.8bn Crossrail project is drawing nearer to completion, while the 10 stations being built in central London for the Elizabeth Line are nearly finished. And today, Crossrail has unveiled new pictures of how the Paddington Elizabeth Line station is shaping up, which features the installation of one of the capital’s largest ever [...]
Battle of the sarnies: From Tesco to Benugo, which Christmas sandwich will come top of our list this year, and which one was literally inedible? November 15, 2017 We set off into the City to gather festive sandwiches from supermarkets and fast food chains far and wide to see which of them is worthy of Santa himself, and which were a nightmare before Christmas. Eat Turkey and cranberry sandwich ★★★☆☆ Tastes alright, but nothing to write to Santa about. Solid fillings, pleasantly sweet [...]
Fears of a nightmare before Christmas for UK retailers as footfall and spending dip November 13, 2017 Retail analysts fear a nightmare before Christmas for British shops as figures published today show weakness ahead of the crucial holiday spending spree. Footfall in UK retailers fell by two per cent year-on-year in October, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Springboard. The decline in the number of shop visits was [...]
Marks and Spencer turnaround: Retail veteran Steve Rowe must make M&S tills jingle all the way during Christmas period November 9, 2017 Marks and Spencer started this week on a cheery note with the launch of its Christmas advert – but the festive feel didn’t last long for the high-street stalwart. The new advert sent Twitter into a tizzy on Tuesday with some viewers convinced that one of the characters was mouthing a swear word in a [...]
Marks and Spencer (LON:MKS) share price: Steve Rowe promises to “make M&S special again” as sales and profits slide while CFO Helen Weir steps down November 8, 2017 Marks and Spencer Group’s profits fell in the first half, as the retailer faced additional headwinds in its food business and continued the struggle to boost clothing sales. The group also confirmed reports that its chief financial officer, Helen Weir, will leave the company in due course. Shares in the company rose 3.5 per cent [...]
Hiver beers founder Hannah Rhodes is turning bees to money October 23, 2017 Even the most hardened City hack might consider turning down the offer of a drink at 11am. But for you, City A.M. readers, this reporter went the extra mile. The Bermondsey Beer Mile, that is. I’m here to meet Hannah Rhodes, founder of Hiver beers. Following a decade in the drinks industry, including a spell [...]
What happens to the markets if America goes to war? August 31, 2017 The stock market hates uncertainty, and there is plenty of uncertainty with respect to the tensions over the latest round of North Korean missile tests. This post, originally published 13 September 2013, focused on the violence in the Middle East, specifically Syria, and the potential that the United States could enter the conflict and [...]