George MacDonald
George MacDonald is executive editor of Retail Week.
He has worked on the title since 1998, originally starting as a reporter, and covered sectors ranging from food to department stores.
He is in day-to-day charge of Retail Week’s editorial content online and in print. He writes a weekly City column and blogs.
George has interviewed many of the biggest names in retail and is often asked to comment in the wider media on the latest industry developments.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 (0)20 3033 2836
- Email:
- george.macdonald@retail-week.com
AnalysisHow retail changed my life: M&S’ Sharry Cramond – from council estate to dream job
When Sharry Cramond was growing up on a council estate in central Scotland she never dreamed that she would work for some of the biggest names in global retail.
- News
John Lewis opens virtual Christmas shop for first time
Department store group John lewis has opened a Christmas shop on its website for the first time.
- News
Intu Milton Keynes taken over by Ellandi
Property group Ellandi has been appointed asset manager for Intu’s Milton Keynes shopping centre.
- Opinion
‘Christmas time, Covid tests and wine? Retailers must adapt for a taxing Golden Quarter’
In little more than a week’s time, retail’s traditional Golden Quarter begins, but it would take more than three wise men to work out how it may go this year.
- News
Peacocks sale on cards as owner Day seeks valuation
The billionaire owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill has asked for a valuation of the Peacocks business, potentially triggering a sale.
- News
Asda deal could be struck this week
A sale of Asda could be agreed later this week by parent company Walmart, it is understood.
- News
M&S marks rewards app milestone with ‘free shopping’ promotion
There have been approximately 1 million new downloads of Marks & Spencer’s Sparks loyalty app since its relaunch eight weeks ago.
- News
Superdry cautious as coronavirus hits profits
Fashion retailer Superdry has cautioned that ongoing uncertainty and disruption because of the Covid pandemic may affect performance as it posted a slump in sales and profits.
- News
Retail chiefs urge government to protect staff following ‘tide of abuse’
Some of the biggest names in retail have banded together to call for government action to counter violence and abuse targeted at store staff, which has surged during the pandemic.
- Video
Face time: Andy Street on reinventing city centres and John Lewis’ Birmingham closure
Mayor of the West Midlands and former John Lewis managing director Andy Street tells Retail Week why he thinks ‘reimagined’ city centres have a bright future and talks of his surprise that his former employer chose to shut its Grand Central store.
- Analysis
The transformation of John Lewis: Has Sharon White got it right?
The scale of the turnaround challenge facing new John Lewis Partnership chair Dame Sharon White was thrown into stark relief today as it plunged to a £55m first-half loss. Is her turnaround plan enough to save the business from the department store scrapheap?
- News
John Lewis axes staff bonus after racking up first-half loss
Department stores and grocery business John Lewis Partnership has posted a first-half loss and told staff they will not receive a bonus this year.
- News
Co-op profits climb following ‘exceptional’ food performance
Convenience retail and funerals group the Co-operative has posted a surge in profits after the coronavirus outbreak prompted shoppers to flock to its stores.
- News
Next resilience through pandemic prompts profits optimism
Fashion giant Next has increased its full-year profit guidance as it navigates the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.
- Opinion
‘If landlords reject New Look CVA, they’ll be next in line for administration’
A lot of people have had to swallow bitter pills to help safeguard the future of New Look. Now one final group, landlords, is being asked to share the harsh medicine.
- News
New Look: Fate lies with landlords as sale option shut off
The future of fashion retailer New Look now relies upon landlords after a sale process conducted in tandem with a CVA proposal failed to produce a deal.
- News
Quiz wins better rental terms following stores administration
Fashion retailer Quiz has won more flexible leases after putting its stores business into administration to conduct a restructuring.
- News
Freemans marks relaunch as ‘digital department store’ with first prime-time TV campaign
Home-shopping specialist Freemans has rebranded and relaunched, and is marking the shift with a marketing campaign that includes TV.
- News
Primark boss: Practical approach to Covid constraints has spurred stores’ success
Primark’s strong shopkeeping skills helped draw customers to its stores despite the tough conditions afflicting many retail locations following the coronavirus outbreak.
- Opinion
‘Pret’s new business blend should make other retailers smell the coffee’
Pret a Manger has long been an imaginative business and its latest venture, a coffee subscription designed to help it adapt to ongoing market shifts accelerated by Covid, shows that it still is.
