Government should consider Post Office mutualisation, ex-minister says October 20, 2024 The government should consider plans to turn the Post Office into a John Lewis-style mutual, a former business minister has said, amid reports Whitehall is looking at the viability. Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake has said he would support a proposal to transform the Post Office’s business structure into a mutual in which customers [...]
The Square Mile and Me: Hannah Bernard on the significance of the first female Chancellor October 10, 2024 Each week we ask a City figure to tell us about what makes the Square Mile special. This week, it’s Hannah Bernard, head of business banking at Barclays
The ‘battle for value is on’ at UK grocers as supermarkets push discounts October 8, 2024 Higher spending at supermarkets over the last month has been driven by sales of discounted goods as grocers compete to bring financially-stretched customers through their doors, according to fresh data. Grocery price inflation increased slightly to two per cent during the four weeks to 29 September, up from 1.7 per cent last month, according to [...]
John Lewis boss to step back from role after two years October 7, 2024 John Lewis Partnership chief executive Nish Kankiwala will step back from his role in spring next year, with freshly-inaugurated chair Jason Terry to take a larger role in the day-to-day running of the firm. The retailer, which runs both the John Lewis retail chain and the Waitrose grocery arm, said that Kankiwala will revert to [...]
Booths: ‘Waitrose of the North’ slashed loss thanks to record sales October 1, 2024 High-end supermarket chain Booths slashed its loss as sales passed £300m for the first time in its history. The Lancashire-headquartered company, which can trace its roots back to 1847, has reported a turnover of £318.6m for the year to 30 March, 2024, up from the £298.7m it achieved in the prior 12 months. Newly-filed accounts [...]
Tall tails: The story of a city couple, a Siberian cat and a litter box September 23, 2024 When entrepreneur Aneisha Soobroyen adopted her Siberian cat Boo, the last thing she expected was never-ending stomach issues stinking up the litter box.
John Lewis: ‘Transformation on track’ but chain still in the red September 12, 2024 The John Lewis Partnership has reported an improved set of half-year results and has said it is on target to significantly boost its performance for the full year. The iconic UK name, which also owns Waitrose, said sales topped £5.9bn in the 26 weeks ended 27 July, up by two per cent year on year. [...]
Bordeaux month: Here are the best clarets to celebrate September 10, 2024 September has been named Bordeaux month – it seems every grape has its own international wine day so why not dedicate an entire month to one of the most renowned and beloved wine regions in the world. Here’s what you need to know when selecting a bottle of Bordeaux red. Firstly, French wine is often [...]
Grocery inflation stabilises, but Brits still concerned about shopping costs September 10, 2024 Grocery inflation has returned to its downward trend but nearly two thirds of Brits remain worried about the rising cost of their shopping, according to fresh data. Annual grocery price inflation in the four weeks to 1 September fell to 1.7 per cent, down from 1.8 per cent in the previous four-week period, according to [...]
John Lewis: £80m plans create new homes at site in Elizabeth Line-linked Reading September 4, 2024 The John Lewis Partnership has submitted plans to transform one of its disused warehouses in Reading into an £80m residential complex featuring more than 200 rental units. The plans, which were submitted to Reading Borough Council this week, lay out the company’s vision to demolish the current structure and replace it with 215 homes, plus 6,000 [...]