All articles by George MacDonald – Page 247
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News
Pre-Budget report: Retail opinion divided on VAT change
Some retailers have welcomed attempts by Chancellor Alistair Darling to kick-start the economy in yesterday’s pre-Budget report, but others have expressed anger that changes do not go far enough.
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News
Mike Duke to succeed Lee Scott as Wal-Mart chief
Mike Duke, head of Wal-Mart’s international division, is to replace Lee Scott as president and chief executive of the world’s biggest retailer next February.
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News
Bargain hunters flock to stores
Promotional spectaculars run by leading retailers this week brought bargain-hungry shoppers flocking to stores.
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News
John Lewis confident of Christmas despite sales fall
Sales at John Lewis department stores fell 14 per cent last week, the retailer has confirmed. However, John Lewis head of selling development Barry Matheson insisted the chain is in good shape for Christmas.
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News
Jessops ponders tie-up with camera manufacturer
Camera specialist Jessops is considering linking up with a specific manufacturer rather than stocking a range of brands, it has been reported.
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News
Next's Wolfson: 'tax cuts should not be unfunded'
Next chief executive Simon Wolfson has said that any tax cuts in next week’s pre-Budget report should be long term and sustainable.
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News
100,000 retail jobs cut this year
As tough trading continues, full scale of hidden job losses revealed – and the worst is still to come.
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Opinion
Best Buy can’t walk on water
John Browett and Hugh Harvey could have been forgiven a little Schadenfreude last week.
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News
Early Sales and consumer belt tightening hit retail share prices
General retailers’ shares plummeted as the market took fright at another step down in consumer spending, tight credit conditions and signs of early Christmas promotions.
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News
Woolworths trouble could knock rivals, City fears
The performance of Game, HMV and WHSmith are at risk as a result of the problems of Woolworths, which has held talks about a sale to restructuring specialist Hilco.
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News
Sir Stuart Rose: 'step-down' in trading in last fortnight
There has been another marked fall in consumer spending in recent weeks, Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose has said.
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News
Marks & Spencer prepares for promotional showdown with Debenhams
Marks & Spencer will launch a high-profile 20 per cent off promotion on Thursday as retailers compete more aggressively for share of Christmas spend.
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News
Inflation plunges at record rate
Inflation has fallen at the steepest rate in more than a decade, driven down by cheaper fuel and food.
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News
John Lewis sales fall again
Department store business John Lewis suffered a 14 per cent sales fall last week, it is understood.
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News
Comet hit as suppliers' insurance cover cut
Some suppliers to electricals retailer Comet have had credit insurance reduced, it is understood.
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News
Interest rate cut fails to boost shoppers' festive spending plans
The dramatic interest rate cut earlier this month has done nothing so far to stimulate Christmas spending, updated GfK NOP data shows.
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Opinion
Interest rate cut might just work
When the chief executive of Tesco reportedly breakfasts at the weekend with the Governor of the Bank of England, emphasising the extreme fragility of consumer confidence and pressing for an interest rate cut, it’s a sure sign of torrid times.
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News
Analysts hail Tesco’s Far East growth plan
The financial sun is rising on Tesco’s Far Eastern businesses, analysts believe following a tour of stores in the region.
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News
An October to forget spells out mountain to climb at Christmas
The downward pressure on retail share prices lightened a little following last week’s swingeing interest rate cut but, the scale of the industry’s difficulties were reflected in appalling British Retail Consortium sales figures.
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News
Woolworths' EUK asks customers for upfront payment
EUK, variety store group Woolworths’ entertainment supply division, has been forced to ask customers for upfront payments as the credit crunch bites.