The future is female: COVID-19 fuels a surge in women entrepreneurs October 20, 2020 Amid all the tragedies of the pandemic, there has been one positive side effect: a global reset. A “pandemic pause” is giving the world the opportunity to reflect and recalibrate on such causes as diversity and the environment. We saw clear skies during lockdowns, and are asking how to make those permanent. #BLM is everywhere. [...]
McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt on a difficult year and an electrified future October 19, 2020 We have coffee with McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, discussing the new 765LT, a "horrible" year and McLaren’s plugged-in hybrid future.
China’s economy grew 4.9 per cent in third quarter October 19, 2020 China’s economy expanded 4.9 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, missing expectations but storming ahead of other nations still suffering the economic fallout from the pandemic. Chinese GDP continued its recovery between July and September, marking a second consecutive quarter of growth following a 3.2 per cent hike in the second quarter. The return [...]
French buyers top London prime property purchases as Chinese investment slips October 19, 2020 French buyers have jumped to the top of the rankings for property purchases in prime central London as international investors cash in on the weak pound. Property purchasers from France made up the largest group of buyers for prime spots in the capital in the first nine months of the year accounting for 11 per [...]
Retail mogul Mike Ashley makes fresh bid for Debenhams October 18, 2020 Sport Direct tycoon Mike Ashley has reportedly made a fresh bid for Debenhams, reviving his long-standing pursuit of the department store chain. The retail billionaire this month submitted an improved offer as the auction for Debenhams nears its final stages, the Sunday Times reported. Debenhams, which collapsed into administration in April, has hired Lazard to [...]
FTSE 100 and US stocks climb as investor fears ease October 16, 2020 The FTSE 100 rebounded as investors returned to risk assets, having dumped them yesterday amid worries over new coronavirus restrictions, while US stocks rose on vaccine hopes and upbeat retail sales data. London’s main stock index climbed 1.7 per cent in afternoon trading to stand at 5,929 points. That followed a 1.7 per cent tumble [...]
West End extends festive period in bid to win back shoppers October 16, 2020 The West End is set to extend the festive shopping season as ailing retailers look to lure Londoners back into shops. The Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Oxford Street and Bond Street on Monday 2 November and Thursday 12 November respectively, marking the earliest ever start to the festive season for the district. [...]
Dame Sharon White: It is too early to predict the end of the high street October 15, 2020 Dame Sharon White has said it is too early to sound the death knell of the British high street even as she outlined further plans for the John Lewis partnership to move online. Speaking to the Times CEO summit, White said the “death knell for the High Street is rather premature”, just months after cutting [...]
Boots sales drop 30 per cent as shoppers dodge high street October 15, 2020 British chemist Boots suffered a near 30 per cent drop in sales in the fourth quarter of the year as consumers stayed away from the high street despite the coronavirus pandemic easing slightly. Sales dropped 29.2 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. However, the figures were an improvement on the previous [...]
AO World shares jump as pandemic drives online sales surge October 15, 2020 Shares in AO World jumped this morning after the electronics retailer said sales had jumped by more than a half over the last six months. The white goods group said it expected revenue to hit £715m in the half-year to the end of September, up 57 per cent on the same period last year. Sales [...]