Retail sales improve in run up to Christmas November 25, 2019 UK retailers saw sales improve in the year to November after six months of decline as high street stores gear up for the crucial Christmas trading period. Retailers reported largely unchanged sales volumes this month, driven by strong grocery sales, and the industry expects growth to return in the year to December. Read more: Shoppers [...]
Google’s research reveals how millennial shopping habits are changing November 25, 2019 The Christmas season is a time for family and cheer. But for brands and retailers, the time between late November and early January represents the most crucial — and most competitive — period of the year, accounting for up to 30 per cent of annual sales. As journalist Katharine Whitehorn once said, “from a commercial [...]
Confidence tricks: How advertising can predict a recession November 25, 2019 “There’s going to be a recession,” someone says at a dinner table or boardroom meeting, certain of the fact. “You can see it coming.” In advertising, we’re at the coal-face of confidence — the barometer and engine room of recession and recovery. What we look for are three measures of confidence which correlate with historic [...]
LVMH close to buying Tiffany & Co for $16bn November 24, 2019 Luxury fashion house LVMH, the owner of Louis Vuitton, is close to buying jewellery retailer Tiffany & Co for about $16.3bn. LVMH, which also owns Dior and Moet & Chandon, is nearing an agreement to acquire the US jewellers for $135 per share, in a deal that could be announced this evening or tomorrow. Read [...]
Concerns mount over councils buying struggling retail properties November 24, 2019 The Treasury has attempted to guide local authorities away from a strategy of buying struggling retail properties over fears that the investments could force councils into bankruptcy. The rate at which local councils are able to borrow to invest was raised by one percentage point last week, as concerns mount over borrowing levels. Read more: [...]
Property focus on Sloane Square: This 1980s hotspot is experiencing a revival November 22, 2019 It may be famed for being the social epicentre for the young and blue-blooded in the 1980s, having lent its name to the Sloane Ranger set which included Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson. But the area around Sloane Square is now getting a modern makeover – and vying with other parts of Chelsea and Mayfair [...]
Footwear retailer Office’s chief executive quits after one year November 21, 2019 The chief executive of high street footwear retailer Office has stepped down after just a year in the role. Lorenzo Moretti has resigned after joining the company in December last year from his role as Sonos vice president of global retail. Read more: Office set to close up to half its 100 UK stores He [...]
Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia confirms new chairman November 21, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s fashion group Arcadia confirmed this morning that it has appointed the former boss of the De Vere hotel and leisure group as its new chairman. The embattled retail firm has drafted in Andrew Coppel, who currently sits on the board of housebuilder MJ Gleeson. Read more: Hammerson continues retail property spree Coppel [...]
Naked Wines boss heads for the exit November 21, 2019 Naked Wines surprised the City this morning after revealing the departure of its boss ahead of a major strategic shift in the business. Rowan Gormley is stepping down as chief executive once the disposal of the group’s Majestic brand is complete and the crucial Christmas trading season is over. Read more: Naked Wines sells wine [...]
DEBATE: Has Fever-Tree lost its fizz as growth in the UK slows down? November 21, 2019 Has the fizz gone out of tonic water maker Fever-Tree as growth in its core UK market slows down? Joe Healey, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, says YES. Fever-Tree has had a good run, but investors are likely to be tetchy going forward. The drinks phenomenon has struggled in its main UK market [...]