Heavy losses in focus at struggling Jessops
Lots of news every day about how the economic downturn is affecting UK retailers - but the problems faced by Jessops seem to be more fundamental than just a decline in consumer confidence…
read more...»Little Chef - have new management bitten off more than they can chew?
A really useful article in the Observer today provides a wealth of relevant content for business teachers and students…
read more...»Credit Crunch Sparks Tie Revivial
It appears that the much derided Tie is back.
Whether you are smartening up to avoid the credit crunch axe, or you are preparing for unplanned job interviews, it seems that sales are up, with Tie Rack and John Lewis reporting quarterly sales growth of 10% and 18% respectively. Source: Daily Telegraph
Do you enjoy wearing a tie - or is it a mere milestone around your neck?
In a recent unscientific classroom poll (sparked by the GCSE Spec A Kelloggs Case Study), it seemed that the divergence between teacher and student opinion was less than perhaps one would imagine.
Moreover, Ofsted reported last week that the introduction of uniform into schools had a “disproportionately positive impact” upon academic. Whether the tie is a great extrinsic motivator, or is perhaps a reflection of our internal locus of control remains open to debate.
The History of Retailing
BBC Radio 4’s In Business programme considered in a recent programme the history of retailing
“In this week’s In Business Peter Day looks at the history of retail in the UK and what new ideas about shopping are being designed to tempt the buying public”
listen again by following this link
Scottish banknotes: should shops accept them?
The Treasury has just backed down over proposals which critics claimed could have jeopardised the future of Scottish banknotes. The issues are quite technical, but a deal is understood to have been struck which will allow Scottish banks to continue printing their own notes. It got me thinking and checking an old chestnut: do shops in England have to accept Scottish banknotes? And for that matter, what about those from Northern Ireland, and even more far flung parts of Britain?
read more...»Bad weather is good news for internet retailers
Currys.digital to go the same way as Dixons?
Woolies slashes dividend to conserve cash
Another example of a quoted company deciding to cut its dividend in order to retain cash in the business. Except that this time, Woolworths plc has cut its final dividends by 90%
read more...»B&Q looks to conserve cash by cutting the shareholders’ dividend
What is a good way for quoted companies to save cash for a rainy day? Cut the annual dividends paid to shareholders. DIY retailer B&Q is the latest example of a company that has decided to take this action in the face of a downturn in consumer spending.
read more...»Tesco creates waves in seaside holiday town
A fascinating business story buried in the home news section of the Independent today. Supermarket giant Tesco has bought the Lyme Bay Holiday Village, only to immediately close it.
read more...»Sir Stuart Rose moves upstairs at M&S
An interesting management change at Marks and Spencer sees Sir Stuart Rose being promoted to Executive Chairman as the retailer seeks to rebuild investor confidence.
read more...»End of an era for supermarket retailing
This week marks a landmark for the UK grocery retailing market. Sir Ken Morrison (pictured above opening a new Morrisons store) is retiring as chairman of the business founded by his father after over 55 years in the industry.
read more...»John Lewis staff bag a bumper bonus
I’m going to have to keep this blog entry secret from my team at tutor2u. News that staff at John Lewis are each to receive a 20% bonus certainly focuses the mind on how to use pay as a method of remuneration.
read more...»Times up for Asda’s 4 year George Trial
How long should it take for a major retailer to decide whether a new format has what is takes to be a winner. In the case of Asda, it has taken over four years to determine the fate of standalone fashion brand “George”.
read more...»Are supermarkets morphing into community centres?
Where is the heart of your local community? The village or town hall? The Library? Or perhaps now it is the largest local supermarket.
read more...»Swapping tat for quality in the retail clothing market
A fascinating article in today’s Guardian contains some really useful material for any AS or A2 Business student or for those taking the BTEC First in Retail.
read more...»Paying the price for plastic bags
M&S have made the first move in what may be a new approach by retailers to charging for customers who want plastic bags at the checkout.
read more...»Starbucks Closes 7,100 US Outlets
...for a few hours, to train all the staff. An amazing decision taken by the new boss of Starbucks in the US to kick-start his recovery strategy for the poorly-performing coffee chain.
read more...»Latte and WiFi - tools of choice for the “new Bedouin”
The rapid growth of high street coffee and sandwich chains has attracted a new breed of out-of-office entrepreneurs named the “new Bedouin”.
read more...»How businesses can increase sales as customers spend a penny
A scheme to encourage businesses to make their toilet facilities available to the general public in return for an annual fee might be a solution to the lack of public toilets.
read more...»Asda goes for growth
Hot on the heels of the Competition Commission report on grocery retailing comes news of a planned expansion by the UK’s second largest operator.
read more...»Has the price of a chicken fallen too low?
Tesco’s decision to reduce the price of its standard broiler chicken to just £1.99 has attracted great criticism, but Tesco is hitting back.
read more...»Grabbing a bigger pizza the action
Our obsession with pursuing healthy eating and better lifestyles is leading to an significant increases in sales of….
read more...»Tesco takes on weight watchers in a new diversification
I’m left feeling a bit gobsmacked by Tesco’s latest diversification into non-food sales. Not content with selling the food and drink that helps us pile on the weight, tesco has just launched a new weight loss business.
read more...»A Great Example of Market Share in Action
The new report from the Competition Commission on grocery retailing provides a wealth of useful information and ideas for business teachers. One aspect to focus on is market share.
read more...»Starbucks Expansion Strategy
A good article for A2 Business students in The Sunday Times today. This would make a good basis for a homework assignment on business strategy - particularly international expansion.
read more...»An A to Z of UK High Street Retailers
Here’s a little exercise that your students might find interesting. The challenge is to come up with an A to Z of well-known retailers operating in the UK. The task is much harder when done alone and without research materials (aka wikipedia). It would make a good timed group exercise. Which group can complete the list first? Or which group can complete the most letters with legitimate retailers in a specific time (e.g. ten minutes).
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