All articles by George MacDonald – Page 3
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NewsStarmer: ‘Tide could be turning’ on scourge of shop crime
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has maintained that “the tide could be turning” on shoplifting and highlighted measures the government has taken to tackle retail crime.
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NewsMarks & Spencer expands low-emission lorry fleet
Marks & Spencer is to bring more biomethane-powered trucks on stream as it seeks to cut emissions from its logistics network.
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Opinion‘Primark will need to face down short-termists when it goes public’
If ever there were businesses that took a long-term view, they’re Primark and parent ABF. As they prepare to demerge, it will be vital that mindset is not jeopardised by the often short-term attitudes of the public market, says George MacDonald
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AnalysisAsos pierces war gloom with ‘green shoots’ update
As Asos pushes on with its turnaround, boss José Antonio Ramos Calamonte was able to report the first monthly increase in new customers for five years, and changes made to sourcing mean there has been no war hit so far
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GalleryStore gallery: How Lookfantastic’s new store is enhancing its omnichannel strategy
Lookfantastic, the beauty retailer owned by THG, has opened a second store, which is helping draw trade to the primarily online brand.
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NewsThe Entertainer sets out store opening plans
Toy retailer The Entertainer has revealed the “first half” of its expansion plans for the rest of this year.
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NewsTHG reports ‘strong start’ to year as beauty sales rise
Online group THG has reported what it described as its best first quarter for sales growth since Covid.
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NewsPrimark profits fall as parent ABF presses button on demerger
Fashion giant Primark is to be demerged, owner ABF has confirmed, as the retailer posted a fall in first-half earnings.
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NewsThe Entertainer strikes funding package ‘ensuring growth momentum continues’
Toy specialist The Entertainer has arranged a new agreement with its bank, providing it with “financial firepower” for further investment in growth.
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NewsMarks & Spencer signs decade-long contracts to support farmers
Marks & Spencer has struck two contracts with British meat suppliers that are expected to benefit hard-pressed farmers.
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Opinion‘M&S has spoken out powerfully on retail crime – now let’s pressure authorities to act’
The dismissal of a Waitrose staffer for confronting thieves and M&S’ response to mob rule has put retail crime on the political agenda and should be followed up by the industry, says George MacDonald
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Opinion‘Government suggestion of war ‘profiteering’ was cheap politics’
The tone at a meeting between grocers and chancellor Rachel Reeves was more moderate than feared. Now the government should take on board retailers’ ideas about how to minimise costs arising from the Middle East war, believes George MacDonald
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NewsRetailers welcome ‘constructive’ meeting with government on war costs impact
After a clash last week over suggestions of potential war profiteering, a rescheduled meeting between grocers and chancellor Rachel Reeves was described as “constructive”.
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NewsNewly launched Joybuy unveils first marketing campaign
New online retail entrant Joybuy has launched a marketing campaign to highlight its appeal to prospective customers.
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NewsTopps Tiles to close stores in cost saving push
Specialist retailer Topps Tiles is to shut a tranche of shops is it responds to “softer” trading conditions.
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NewsChancellor to meet grocers to discuss war cost-of-living impact
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will meet supermarket chiefs today amid concern about rising costs following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
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GallerySainsbury’s reveals ‘transformed’ flagship branch
Sainsbury’s has opened the doors to a flagship “state-of-the-art superstore”.
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Opinion‘AI may not be threatening jobs right now. But in future..?’
As Marks & Spencer unveiled a new AI initiative and Next detailed how it is using the technology, AI is clearly creating both opportunity and value – as well as acknowledgement of a challenge, for those looking to join the workforce, George MacDonald reflects
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AnalysisNext chief executive Lord Wolfson on the impact of war in the Middle East
Fashion bellwether Next posted an impressive set of results this week, with chief executive Lord Wolfson revealing not only a strong year recently ended but upgraded profit guidance for the year just begun – despite war fears and associated extra costs.
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NewsMarks & Spencer switches on AI tools for all store managers
Marks & Spencer is enabling thousands of frontline staff to use generative and Agentic AI tools to support everyday tasks.