FCA probe and bonus clawbacks: WH Smith acts against former directors as North America profit plunges December 19, 2025 WH Smith’s board will trigger clawback provisions for senior executives following accounting errors woes that had resulted in a probe by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling stepped down with immediate effect last month after the report, produced by Big Four audit firm Deloitte, identified weaknesses in the operations of [...]
ESW and Scholl Partner to Accelerate Cross-Border Ecommerce Expansion Across 50+ Markets December 18, 2025 Expansion leverages ESW’s cross-border capabilities alongside Shopify’s infrastructure and Arsenalia’s strategic consultancy to power Scholl’s global DTC growth.
Zara turns to AI-edited models amid shop closures December 18, 2025 Zara is using artificial intelligence to edit images of human models for its e-commerce platforms, City AM understands, as the fast-fashion giant looks to cut costs amid a tough retail backdrop. Models who have previously shot campaigns for Zara have since been contacted by the Spanish retail giant and asked for permission for their images [...]
Elliott turns the page on London’s IPO drought with Waterstones listing plan December 18, 2025 Elliott Management is preparing a multibillion-pound flotation of Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, with a listing expected next year and London edging out New York as the preferred venue. The US hedge fund has reportedly begun sounding out advisers ahead of a potential IPO, with banks likely to be appointed in early 2026. While no [...]
Brits’ disposable income shrinks in disappointing Golden Quarter December 18, 2025 Brits feel far poorer now than they did at the start of 2025, with even high-income households downbeat about their financial prospects. In January, people were four per cent more likely to say their pay had gone up rather than down, but Brits are now seven per cent more likely to have seen their pay [...]
How Christmas lights give London its sparkle December 18, 2025 London’s festive lights, a tradition since 1954, are integral to the capital’s economic and social vitality, says Karen Baines When London switched on its first festive lights along Regent Street in 1954, few could have imagined how profoundly they would come to define the season. That gesture lit the way for a much-loved tradition that [...]
Cut interest rates, City AM Shadow MPC tells Bank of England December 17, 2025 The Bank of England should cut interest rates by 25 basis points when it meets tomorrow, City AM’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee has said in a three-way split decision. In the face of the dual problems of high inflation and a continued jobs market decline, the majority of experts on City AM’s nine-strong Shadow MPC [...]
Profit triples at Cartier owner as UK sales rise December 16, 2025 Profit has almost tripled at the UK arm of the luxury goods giant behind the likes of Cartier, Net-a-Porter and Montblanc, new results have revealed. Richemont UK has posted a pre-tax profit of £30m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, according to its latest accounts which have been filed with Companies House. The [...]
Timberland owner cuts UK jobs as sales slip again December 15, 2025 Almost 100 jobs have been lost at the UK and Ireland arm of the retail giant behind the likes of The North Face, Vans and Timberland as its sales continued to fall during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The division of VF Corporation, whose brands also include Eastpak, Kipling and Napapijri, cut [...]
Next eyes Russell & Bromley deal December 13, 2025 The high street giant Next is reportedly considering making an offer to invest in Russell & Bromley, the shoe retailer that said it was looking for a fresh cash injection. It has been reported that the FTSE 100 company is among several possible parties interested in investing in the smaller retail brand. It is unclear [...]