George MacDonald
George MacDonald is executive editor of Retail Week.
He has worked on the title since 1998, originally starting as a reporter, and has covered sectors ranging from grocery to department stores. During that time, George has carved out a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable, trustworthy and respected retail journalists in the UK.
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 3960 9227
- Email:
- george.macdonald@retail-week.com
- Analysis
‘Can Co-op Live ever make sweet music after bum note launch?’
With Co-op Live’s planned grand opening becoming something of a PR disaster, George MacDonald wonders if things can be turned around
- News
Lidl targets big cities for next wave of store openings
Value grocer Lidl is seeking more locations in leading cities as it pursues an ambition to open “hundreds of new stores”.
- News
Morrisons completes sale of forecourts to MFG
Grocer Morrisons has concluded the sale of its forecourts business to specialist operator MFG.
- News
Fifth of Ocado shareholders revolt over chief executive’s reward package
Almost a fifth of Ocado shareholders rebelled against Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner’s remuneration deal but it will still go ahead.
- News
Card Factory sales and profits climb as stores perform strongly
Greetings cards specialist Cards Factory has posted strong annual revenue and earnings growth as stores traded well.
- Opinion
‘WHSmith, JD Sports and Primark can successfully target a slice of American retail pie’
Retailers from this side of the pond have frequently come a cropper when attempting to expand in the US, but the signs look good for JD Sports, Primark and WHSmith judging by the retailers’ updates this week, believes George MacDonald
- News
WHSmith rolls out store-in-store tie-up with Toys R Us
WHSmith is to extend its partnership with Toys R Us to more branches following the success of the first wave of store-in-stores.
- News
Getir raises cash to fund UK and Europe retreat
On-demand food retail platform Getir is seeking funding from investors to cover its retrenchment from Europe.
- News
John Lewis finance boss heads for the exit
John Lewis Partnership finance supremo Bérangère Michel is to leave after more than a decade at the retailer, where she held a raft of top roles.
- News
Retail sales flat in March, official data shows
Retail sales growth was flat last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported.
- Analysis
Sephora CEO Guillaume Motte reveals secrets of retailer’s success
It’s 10am and the doors to Sephora’s Champs-Élysées flagship are opened to an expectant queue of customers in the heart of Paris.
- Gallery
Paris flagship stores – Sephora, Galeries Lafayette, JD Sports and Etam
Take a tour of some of the French capital’s latest retail openings, including Sephora and JD Sports, as well as the world-famous Galeries Lafayette department store
- News
Shein executive distances retailer from ‘labour practices’ concerns
A senior Shein director has maintained that technological prowess rather than supply chain working conditions have driven the pureplay fashion giant’s success.
- Opinion
‘The voice of 3 million retail workers is finally being heard on crime’
A new law that makes assaulting store staff a specific offence is welcome news and shows that retail – an industry that sometimes feels ignored by those making decisions – can still exert influence in the corridors of power, says George MacDonald
- News
M&S teams up with HSBC to enhance digital customer experience
Marks & Spencer’s banking arm has struck a new deal with HSBC to bring together digital payments and loyalty and create a more personalised experience for customers.
- Analysis
Is Jason Tarry the right choice to turn things round at John Lewis?
The appointment of former long-serving Tesco executive Jason Tarry as the next chair of John Lewis has been welcomed as a return to retailing focus. However, experts agree the former boss of the UK and Ireland business of the UK’s largest retailer has a big job ahead of him
- News
John Lewis names former Tesco boss Tarry as new chair
Former Tesco UK chief executive Jason Tarry has been appointed chair of the John Lewis Partnership, succeeding Dame Sharon White.
- Opinion
‘Superdry investors face stark choice as Dunkerton takeover bid stumbles’
In the few days since everybody was feasting on Easter eggs, Superdry’s share price has shattered into more pieces than Humpty Dumpty
- News
Exclusive: Theo Paphitis hits out over business rates as footfall return lifts Ryman
Retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has criticised the government for a “disappointing” attitude to the industry’s importance as his business achieved improved profitability.
- News
New Frasers director is boyfriend of Mike Ashley’s daughter
New Frasers Group director David Al-Mudallal is the boyfriend of owner Mike Ashley’s daughter, it has been revealed.