All articles by George MacDonald – Page 12
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News
Retail pays tribute to Ann Summers pioneer Jacqueline Gold
The retail industry has paid tribute to Jacqueline Gold, who made Ann Summers a fixture on the high street and has died aged 62.
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Analysis
After ‘inflation hurricane’ hits, cost cutting is king at John Lewis
“Inflation has hit us like a hurricane” was the stark verdict from John Lewis Partnership chair Dame Sharon White as the retail institution slid to a £234m pre-tax loss.
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Analysis
Nish Kankiwala – John Lewis’ first chief executive faces huge challenges
The appointment of a chief executive at John Lewis Partnership – the first time such a role has existed in the legendary retailer’s history – was a bolt from the blue.
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News
John Lewis Partnership appoints first-ever chief executive
John Lewis Partnership has appointed a chief executive for the first time in its history.
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Gallery
Store gallery: John Lewis pilots ‘shopping by senses’ and localisation in new-look branch
John Lewis has unveiled an experimental new store format designed to provide customers with a sensory shopping experience and reflect the interests of the local community.
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Opinion
‘Supermarkets aren’t to blame for product shortages, but it’s time to pause for thought’
Imagine the howls of fury from all quarters if grocers raised food prices. Yet, perversely, in the aftermath of salad-gate, that is what many have asked them to do.
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Opinion
‘From automation to home working, Sainsbury’s changes highlight forces shaping retail’
Sainsbury’s disclosure this week of a raft of business changes affecting its Argos general merchandise division, and putting at risk 1,400 jobs, crystallised some big retail themes of the moment.
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News
Retailers welcome new Northern Ireland deal on Brexit
Retailers including Marks & Spencer chair Archie Norman and Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts have welcomed prime minister Rishi Sunak’s new deal to revise the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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News
John Lewis boss Wicks makes surprise exit from retailer
John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks is leaving the department store business.
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News
Grocers to meet minister over fruit and veg shortage
Big supermarkets are to meet farming minister Mark Spencer in a bid to address the fruit and vegetable shortages that have left store shelves empty.
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News
Primark trades ‘well ahead of expectations’ as footfall climbs
Value fashion giant Primark “traded very well” in the first half, parent company ABF has reported.
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Opinion
‘Retail job losses hide a happier employment story’
While Christmas was better for retail than many had first feared, the start of 2023 has been marred by a wave of job losses in the sector.
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Opinion
‘Does Tile Giant administration signal the end of the DIY boom?’
After a phenomenally busy period when everybody became Handy Andy or Andrea and painted the walls rather than climbed them during the depressing days of lockdowns, things are looking trickier as the consumer mentality shifts from DIY to done-IY.
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News
Exclusive: Marks & Spencer exits home energy market to focus on ‘better retail’
Marks & Spencer has ended its home energy supply venture, transferring customers to partner Octopus.
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News
Arcadia pensions secured in £850m deal with Aviva
Members of bust fashion giant Arcadia Group pension schemes have had their benefits secured following a deal between trustees and insurance and pensions giant Aviva.
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Opinion
‘A Morrisons counter-attack could help restore the grocer’s fortunes’
Differentiation, a unique selling point that sets one business apart from another, is often talked about in retail but less frequently achieved.
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News
Exclusive: Tycoon Paphitis reports strong Christmas in store and brands’ return to profit
Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue, revealed a Christmas sales uplift across the board and a return to the black for key brands.
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Interview
Interview: Entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway on his new ‘purposeful shopping’ venture
Queues out the door, thronged tills, DJs. There was all the pazzazz of a flagship store opening but the excitement was not for one of fashion’s big names. It was for the opening of Charity Super.Mkt, labelled the first multi-charity preloved fashion department store.
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News
Exclusive: Marks & Spencer wins court battle with Aldi over copycat gin design
Marks & Spencer has come out on top in a legal showdown with value grocer Aldi over a seasonal ’light-up’ gin that was found to have infringed design rights.
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News
Lidl pledges spend of £4bn with British suppliers this year
Value grocer Lidl is accelerating its spend with British suppliers this year as it positions itself as a champion of national produce.