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
NewsJohn Lewis to launch Topshop in-store and online
John Lewis and Topshop have struck a deal to sell the famous fashion brand’s product in stores and online.
InterviewNew BRC chair Jo Whitfield: lessons, leadership, and retail representation
Welder’s daughter Jo Whitfield rose to hold top positions at retailers including Asda, the Co-op and Matalan. Newly appointed as the BRC’s first woman chair, she tells Retail Week what she hopes to bring to the role
GalleryIn pictures: Topshop touches down in Liberty
Legendary fashion brand Topshop has opened in the famous department store Liberty, restoring a UK bricks-and-mortar presence after a four-year absence.
NewsFat Face launches in Germany through Zalando tie-up
Fashion retailer Fat Face has made its debut in Germany using etailer Zalando’s platform and intends to enter more European markets the same way.
Opinion'As Waitrose’s Bailey checks out, he leaves opportunity for his successor'
Waitrose boss James Bailey is leaving next month. He’s steered the grocer through turbulent times and now is the time and his replacement should seize the moment – including more shops – says George MacDonald
NewsBoots ‘well positioned for future’ following Sycamore deal
Health and beauty giant Boots is “well positioned for the future”, its bosses maintained as a new ownership structure takes effect.
NewsBRC appoints first female chair in its history
A female retail leader is to chair industry trade body the BRC for the first time.
NewsPoundland wins go-ahead for restructuring plan from High Court
Value retailer Poundland has been given a green light to restructure, providing a lifeline as it launches a revival strategy.
GalleryMarks & Spencer reveals new-look Pantheon food hall
Marks & Spencer has opened the doors to a new food hall in its famous Pantheon store on London’s Oxford Street.
Opinion'WHSmith’s American dream takes on nightmarish hue'
A profit warning from WHSmith after the discovery of accounting problems at its US arm came as a huge shock, but comparisons with Tesco at its lowest point may be overdone, believes Retail Week’s George MacDonald
NewsWaitrose boss Bailey to step down
Waitrose managing director James Bailey is to exit the grocer later this year.
NewsCourt to have final say on Poundland restructuring after creditor pushback
Creditors have failed to fully back value retailer Poundland’s restructuring plan, meaning a final decision will be made at a court hearing next week, Retail Week understands.
AnalysisPoundland poised to press button on £1 price rollout as it awaits restructuring green light
Assuming the value retailer wins support for its turnaround plans in the next few days, boss Barry Williams thinks it could make a comeback as swift as its decline. Here, he tells Retail Week about his plans to make Poundland a favourite with shoppers once again
NewsJohn Lewis appoints chief digital and omnichannel officer
Department store group John Lewis has named a chief digital and omnichannel officer as it seeks to build its digital operations.
NewsShein posts record UK annual sales and profits
Online fashion giant Shein, which is pondering a London listing, has reported record turnover and earnings at its UK arm.
NewsDobbies optimistic on turnaround prospects as restructuring costs hit earnings
Garden centre group Dobbies has posted steeper storical losses but bosses are pleased by the early results of a revival plan.
NewsSupermarkets at risk of closing as a result of business rates rise
More than 100 supermarkets run by big grocers could shut because of government plans to increase business rates, piling futher costs on the industry.
NewsFrasers call for suspension of Boohoo founder and investigation into loan claims
Tycoon Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has demanded the suspension of Boohoo founder and executive vice-chair Mahmud Kamani and a probe into allegations about loans to suppliers.
Opinion‘To employee ownership and beyond! The Entertainer’s toy story shows retail at its best’
The entrepreneurs who built The Entertainer into the UK’s biggest specialist toy retailer are transferring ownership to their employees. What a great advert for values in retail, says George MacDonald
NewsMarks & Spencer raids Asda for top people hire
Marks & Spencer has appointed a new chief people officer who joins from Asda, Retail Week can reveal.