The Battle for Virality: How the advertising industry stole Christmas November 14, 2016 Consumer capitalism is like an annual balloon, pumping in steady increments throughout the year. It grows and grows, stretching and straining around November, taut before the Black Friday Pin; the pressure too much, one prick and the balloon explodes in a relentless cloud of Christmas advertising. But where has this volley come from? We can’t even [...]
Christmas adverts rated: Which retailer has made the best ad of 2016? November 12, 2016 Argos A gang of multicoloured yetis on ice skates stealing unattended electrical items from a pleasant-looking neighbourhood. Does anything say ‘come and visit our store’ less? ★☆☆☆☆ Aldi Good-looking food. But the poor carrot, Kevin, who we become attached to in this one-minute advert, is surely destined to meet an unfortunate ending. ★★★☆☆ Ebay Definitely [...]
Watch this year’s full M&S Christmas advert, with Mrs Claus taking the starring role November 11, 2016 Hot on the heels of John Lewis' Buster the Boxer, Marks & Spencer has let its 2016 Christmas advert free this evening. The three-minute video featured for the first time on TV during Channel 4's Gogglebox. Read more: Heartwarming and full of plot holes: Our review of John Lewis' Christmas ad It tells the story [...]
Marks & Spencer’s 2016 Christmas advert is one for the ladies as Mrs M&S becomes Mrs Claus November 11, 2016 First there was Mrs M&S, the woman few aspire to be. Now there is Mrs Claus, the woman M&S think many would like to be this Christmas. Marks & Spencer has tonight launched its Christmas advert for 2016, with Father Christmas’ wife as the star of the show. The advert was broadcast for the first time [...]
Why it’s time to stop drinking prosecco November 10, 2016 Three years ago, when I was just starting out with this column, I boldly predicted the rise of prosecco in the hearts of the British quaffing classes. And oh how it has turned out to be true. Clever marketing, combined with the British love of cheap fizz, has propelled prosecco relentlessly up the wine charts. [...]
Burberry profits fall 24 per cent despite Brexit boost November 9, 2016 Burberry reported plummeting profits in the first half of the year – but added that the fall in sterling had pushed up comparable sales by 30 per cent in the UK. Silver linings? The figures Underlying pre-tax profits fell 24 per cent to £146m in the six months to the end of September, as revenues fell to [...]
M&S dresses for success by choosing food over fashion November 9, 2016 As Marks & Spencer announces its turnaround plan, now is a great time to analyse how the retailer has reached this point, and whether a revival is possible. M&S reported falling sales and profits in the six months to the end of September and said it will close more clothing and home stores, and convert many [...]
BMW workers vote in favour of strikes at UK factories over final salary pension closure November 8, 2016 The number of Minis and Rolls-Royce cars rolling off the production lines in the UK could be considerably disrupted after thousands of workers balloted in favour of strike action. BMW, which owns the two iconic brands, is planning to close its UK final salary pension scheme. Read more: Unite ready to fight BMW over pension changes A raft of [...]
What the analysts are saying about the M&S results: ‘Seismic change’ needed after ‘humiliating’ plans unveiled November 8, 2016 Retail experts have blasted Marks & Spencer's plans for a turnaround – even taking a swipe at the firm's recent collaboration with Alexa Chung – and warned that without "seismic change", the group risks continuing its "terminal decline" to its inevitable conclusion. Marks revealed a massive drop in profits this morning, and outlined plans to close [...]
2,100 jobs could go as Marks & Spencer close 53 international stores and 30 in the UK November 8, 2016 Marks & Spencer will consult with 2,100 staff in its international stores as it seeks to close 53 unprofitable branches overseas, it was announced this morning. In a bold move new chief executive Steve Rowe, who came into the top job in April, said 30 clothing and homeware shops in the UK will also be shut over the next [...]