More finance – Page 3
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Opinion‘Why not make a third less profit, Tesco?’
A call for Tesco to make less money isn’t the answer to food price inflation but would mean less investment in Britain, a more insecure food system, and lower tax receipts, maintains Shore Capital’s Clive Black
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Chart of the WeekChart: Reduce National Insurance and business rates – poll of economists
A new survey of economists and policy experts by the Centre for British Progress think tank suggests experts think NICs and business rates should not be used to raise additional revenue, but VAT should
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Opinion‘The Labour Party Conference offered moments of political clarity and economic ambiguity’
The Labour conference in Liverpool shows that some of retail’s demands are breaking through to government, writes Helen Dickinson. But it also reveals that Labour’s priorities lie in fighting off the rise of Reform, not focusing on business
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AnalysisThe fight before Christmas: Tesco boss Murphy gears up for a very festive price war
In the looming shadow of a late autumn Budget which is filling businesses and consumers with dread, Tesco boss Ken Murphy is also predicting a price war before Christmas.
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InterviewQ&A: Amex on payment innovation, driving conversion, and meeting younger consumers’ demands
In this exclusive Q&A, Amex general manager of Global Merchant Services Dan Edelman reflects on how to appeal to Millennials and Gen Z, the importance of personalisation in retail, and the future payment innovations set to attract consumers in the years ahead.
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AnalysisModella Capital: The private equity firm fast becoming the UK high street’s most prolific investor
Embattled fashion accessories chain Claire’s was snapped up by one of retail’s most prolific investors this week as it became the latest addition in Modella Capital’s portfolio
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Analysis‘Like a bomb threat’ – Co-op looks forward as it grapples with cyber attack fallout
Bruised, battered, but unbowed, Co-op’s group chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq and her c-suite fronted up to the damage wrought by the cyber attack, and their plans for the business to come back better
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Opinion‘Retailers must continue to make noise about unsustainable cost burdens’
Government-imposed financial pressures are inflicting pain on the heart of the retail industry – its people, believes Charlotte Hardie
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AnalysisKingfisher: the factors powering its success – and warning on business rates’ impact
DIY giant Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, lifted its full-year profit forecast to the upper end of expectations on the back of strong interims
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Chart of the WeekChart: Next shares its vacancy figures in warning on UK jobs market
Next sounded a warning about the UK economy alongside their results last week, pointing to rising unemployment and rising application numbers
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InterviewQ&A: Next CEO Lord Wolfson on navigating an ‘anaemic’ economic outlook
Next shares fell this morning as the retail bellwether cautioned that the UK economy is set for “anaemic” growth in the coming months.
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OpinionWhat the 2026 business rates revaluation means for major chains
Forthcoming changes represent a structural shift for big retailers, and they need to be prepared, observes Ryan’s tax services specialist Alex Probyn
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InterviewClarks president Joe Ulloa on how the heritage brand is stepping into the future
As Clarks celebrates its 200th anniversary, the quintessential British brand is broadening its horizons with a revamped product offer, host of digital launches and international expansion as it prepares for the next chapter of its legacy
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AnalysisAldi boss is future-focused with plans for expansion, customer growth and Christmas
Supermarket Aldi reported its full-year results for 2024 today, revealing a slight sales uptick from £17.9bn to £18.1bn
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AnalysisExplainer: Implications of Sainsbury’s surprise on-off Argos sale talks
In the space of a weekend, it was revealed that Sainsbury’s was considering selling its Argos general merchandise division to Chinese colossus JD.com, and then that talks were over. Retail Week examines the implications
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FeatureTrimming fat or cutting muscle? How retailers can preserve their brand story in an era of cost-cutting
In the early 1990s, as sky-high interest rates, falling house prices, and an overvalued exchange rate sent the economy into a tailspin, McDonald’s famously slashed its brand marketing budget in a bid to cut costs. Just as famously, it lived to regret that decision.
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AnalysisJohn Lewis chiefs look ahead to a very merry Christmas after painful first half
First-half profits slipped at the John Lewis Partnership but, as they gear up for Christmas, bosses are optimistic that retail improvements and focus on productivity will being success and shoppers will be willing to spend in the golden quarter
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Chart of the WeekThe food prices hitting UK shoppers’ wallets hardest
Nine in 10 UK adults have noticed prices becoming more expensive this year, according to figures released as part of Barclays’ latest consumer spend report
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AnalysisPret boss gambles on back to the future plan to take on the supermarkets
After enduring a mixed few years post-Covid, today Pret plunged to a £553m loss after it booked a substantial write-down by its owner. Its boss has outlined plans to build the business back.