Retail industry

Stuart Rose gets hands-on at Asda. This can’t have been plan A | Nils Pratley

“We need a full-time fully experienced retail executive to come in,” said Stuart Rose, the chair of Asda, a month ago as he confessed to being “embarrassed” about the...

An ingenious plan to revive THG, or too clever by half? | Nils Pratley

Matthew Moulding has muttered about spin-offs at THG almost from the moment he brought the Lookfantastic and Myprotein...

‘We don’t want golf just to be for retired guys … it’s for everyone’: Nigel Oddy of American Golf

For most chief executives, a round on the golf course is a quiet Friday afternoon treat after the...

B&Q owner Kingfisher reports weak demand for kitchens and bathrooms

The chief executive of Kingfisher, which owns the B&Q and Screwfix chains, has said demand for kitchens and...

Shopper’s videos of himself trying to beat ‘insanely speedy’ Aldi cashiers go viral

Many supermarket shoppers will be familiar with the heart-thumping race to pack their shopping bags while items being...

It’s not buzzy like M&S but John Lewis is improving | Nils Pratley

Don’t get too carried away by the John Lewis Partnership’s prediction of a “significant uplift” in profits this financial year. Last year’s outcome, after...

‘My uniform’s more valuable than I am’: a security guard’s take on bodyworn cameras

When you work in security it can be a battle to stop people stealing. Most thieves know that they have the same legal power...

WH Smith launches £50m share buyback after strong summer

WH Smith is to give investors a £50m windfall as holidaymakers snapping up travel essentials helped boost summer sales at the retail chain.The retailer...

Equal pay hearing affecting thousands of Asda shop workers begins

More than 60,000 Asda shop workers have begun a key stage in their fight for equal pay in a long-running case that could lead...

Sales of old-school crisps jump as shoppers rediscover 1990s’ favourites

Forget the upmarket black truffle or posh sea salt and cider vinegar crisps. Shoppers are bringing 1990s flavours back.Whether it is nostalgia or a...

Kate’s wedding dress designer Sarah Burton named Givenchy creative chief

Sarah Burton, who designed the Princess of Wales’s wedding dress in her former role as creative director of Alexander McQueen, has been appointed to...