British Airways’ move of dropping free meals is eating into its brand image October 5, 2016 British Airways has been in the news for a number of reasons over the last couple of months and YouGov’s brand tracking data indicates that perception of the brand has been impacted as a result. Just last week, the airline announced it was to cut its free meals on short haul economy flights. Passengers will [...]
Bupa giving dentistry chain Oasis a check up as preliminary talks for a bid get underway October 3, 2016 Private healthcare group Bupa is weighing a takeover bid for dentistry chain Oasis. Oasis, currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, could be worth in the region of £500m, though reports of its value vary. Bupa has held preliminary talks with Oasis Healthcare's management and shareholders about a deal, it was first reported by Sky News. Discussions are said to [...]
Sainsbury’s hires former Boots boss as retail and operations director September 30, 2016 Supermarket Sainsbury's has hired a veteran of the UK retail sector as its new retail and operations director. The company has appointed former Boots managing director Simon Roberts to the role. Roberts was most recently executive vice president of pharmaceutical retailer Walgreens Boots Alliance and president of Boots in the UK & Ireland. Prior to that, [...]
Brits stick together as British Airways says it will start selling Marks and Spencer food on board September 30, 2016 There was good news and bad news for British Airways (BA) passengers today after the airline announced that it will serving up Marks and Spencer food on its short-haul flights from next year, but customers are going to have to pay for it. Following the lead of low-cost airlines, complimentary snacks will be a thing of the [...]
A tale of two retail sectors: Shares in fashion retailers fall as supermarkets jump September 15, 2016 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in the retail sector today, as shares in retailers led both the risers and the fallers in the FTSE 100. Firmly in the spring of hope was the supermarket sector, where Morrisons led the risers, with shares jumping 7.13 per cent to 207.4p in [...]
Picks of the day: The three stories to read today September 13, 2016 It’s the hottest day in September since 1949, and we’re all feeling the heat – so why bother trawling the internet for something to read? We’ve done the legwork for you, and put together the top three stories of the day in bite size form, just to make your life that bit easier. Check out [...]
Rosé wine: Move over red, white and sparkling – this summer belonged to pink booze September 13, 2016 Sparkling wine has been stealing the show in the UK's drinks scene as the new high-flier, but rosé wine has been the true winner of this summer's heatwave as sales of the pink stuff doubled. Marks and Spencer has reported a 100 per cent increase in its sales of English-produced rosé offerings, with its Chapel Down [...]
Charity Day lures celebs including Lindsay Lohan, Davina McCall, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Joanna Lumley to BGC Partners’ trading floor September 12, 2016 BGC Partners’ trading floor was overrun by comedians, Olympians, film stars and London’s mayor yesterday at the brokerage’s annual charity fundraising day. The gaggle of celebs roaming BGC’s labyrinth of computer screens and phone speakers to clinch the cash for this year’s charities included actor Tom Hardy, garden-bridge pusher Joanna Lumley, supermodel Jodie Kidd, TV [...]
Marks & Spencer loses another senior executive as Laura Wade-Gery steps down September 12, 2016 Marks & Spencer has confirmed the woman who oversaw the launch of its website is stepping down. In a statement today the retailer said Laura Wade-Gery, its executive director of multi-channel, will not return from maternity leave. Wade-Gery, who oversaw the rocky launch of M&S' website last year, will step down from the board immediately, and [...]
These are the FTSE 100 social media winners and losers September 12, 2016 FTSE 100 firms are finally getting the hang of social media and even jumping on the Snapchat bandwagon to build their profile, new research reveals. Seven firms in the blue-chip index now have official accounts on the fledgling messaging service with a further six using the platform in some form. Read more: Google, Facebook and Twitter blasted over [...]