Boohoo and Nike grilled over supply chain links to slave labour in China November 5, 2020 MPs this morning grilled fashion firms, including Boohoo and Nike, over potential supply chain links to slave labour and exploitation in China. The retailers’ sourcing and sustainability bosses were today called in to give evidence to the Business Select Committee, as part of an investigation into the extent to which the products of forced labour [...]
Plan a post-lockdown escape at the stunning Sopwell House in St Albans November 2, 2020 THE WEEKEND: Serious me-time in the UK’s first private member’s spa, handily attached to luxury country house hotel Sopwell House. You can spend the entire weekend in a dressing gown without skipping the gourmet food, stylish surroundings and decent cocktail menu every suitably indulgent weekend break needs – especially after another month of being confined [...]
The Long Weekend: Take in a bird’s-eye view of London at hip new hotel Treehouse October 19, 2020 International travel may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a slice of luxury on your own doorstep. Why not try get a new angle on London with a stay in the sky at hip new hotel opening Treehouse London.
H&M, Amazon and Boohoo among retailers to be quizzed by MPs over Uyghur slave labour links October 16, 2020 The bosses of retail giants including H&M, Amazon and Boohoo have been summoned to give evidence to a committee of MPs investigating the use of slave labour in the supply chains of UK companies. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) committee is probing the extent to which businesses in the UK are exploiting the [...]
Next raises profit outlook as sales rise September 17, 2020 Retailer Next has raised its profit forecast for the second time in two months as it reported a strong recovery in online sales. The figures Total sales in the first half of the year dropped 34 per cent on last year to £1.4bn, while brand full price sales dropped 33 per cent. Online sales suffered [...]
Next agrees deal to rescue Victoria’s Secret UK business and 500 jobs September 15, 2020 Next has agreed a deal with Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands to rescue its UK business, which is currently in administration, in a move that will save around 500 jobs. The joint venture will operate all Victoria’s Secret stores in the UK and Ireland, subject to approval from its landlords. Its UK online business, which [...]
Hospitality venues raise the bar as pubs’ re-opening app-roaches July 1, 2020 ‘Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps’: no longer (for the time being, at least) a request delivered while waiting at the bar. Instead, a request delivered electronically by smartphone app from a safe, social distance. Technology’s reach knows no bounds as Britain’s public houses – stereotypically bastions of resistance to digital accoutrements [...]
More than 800 jobs at risk as Victoria’s Secret UK arm enters administration June 5, 2020 The UK business of lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret has fallen into administration, putting more than 800 jobs at risk. All of Victoria’s Secret’s 25 UK stores are currently closed due to the coronavirus lockdown, with 785 employees on furlough. Deloitte, which was appointed as administrator today, said no redundancies have been made while it searches [...]
Suits you: TM Lewin bought by private equity firm SCP May 12, 2020 British menswear brand TM Lewin has today been acquired by SCP Private Equity via special purpose vehicle Torque Brands. TM Lewin, which was established in 1898, was sold to SCP for an undisclosed amount by Bain Capital Credit which acquired the shirt-and-tie retailer in 2015. SCP has acquired the business as a going concern, taking [...]
Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands calls off £422m sale to private equity firm Sycamore May 5, 2020 Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands has called off a £422m sale of a majority stake in the lingerie business to private equity firm Sycamore, after the coronavirus crisis sparked a legal battle between the two firms. L Brands said it would focus on navigating the “extremely challenging business environment” rather than “engaging in costly and [...]