Starbucks new food program has been launched No artificial flavours, dyes, trans fats, or high fructose corn syrup = "Real food, Simply delicious."
Marks & Spencer has said that first quarter sales rose by 2.9%, though comparable sales in its home market in Britain declined by 1.4%. The drop in U.K. sales was nevertheless smaller than the 2.5% drop forecast by analysts. Sales outside Britain in the 13 weeks to June 27, the company's fiscal first quarter, rose by 15.9%, and online portal M&S Direct posted 28% growth, the company said in a trading update. It did not report profit figures."Consumer confidence appears to be stabilizing," said Stuart Rose, the company chairman. More on this story
HMV, owner of Waterstone's,has reported an 11.5% rise in annual pre-tax profits following the collapse of some of its smaller rivals during the year, Woolworths and Zavvi. Pre-tax profits before exceptional costs rose from £56.6mn to £63m in the 12 months to April 25, and total sales increased by 4.4% to £1.9bn. Shares in HMV rose by 1.89% to 121p in early trading. Like-for-like sales, which do not include revenue from stores opened during the financial year, rose by 1.9%. However, comparable sales at Waterstone's continued to slide, falling by 3.8%.
A survey which measures how consumers feel about the economic outlook showed rose strongly this month to reach a 14-month high. The consumer sentiment index, compiled by KBC Ireland and the ESRI, recorded 53.4 in June, up from 45.5 in May. The rise was mainly due to a higher level of optimism about the months ahead. The forward-looking part of the index rose from 23.8 in May to 39.1, but the index which measures current conditions fell slightly - from 77.7 to 74.6.More on this story
Vodafone is understood to be considering a bid to acquire T-Mobile UK in a deal that would result in it holding nearly 50% of the UK mobile market, according to reports. A takeover of the Deutsche Telekom-owned T-Mobile UK - reportedly worth between £2.5bn and £3.4bn - would catapult Vodafone, which currently holds 25% share of the UK mobile market, into a market leader, with a 40% share by revenue.
Marks & Spencer will take advantage of the demise of Woolworths by launching a pick 'n' mix sweets range in 100 shops from September.The retailer has been piloting the confectionery offer in six shops since April, along with "grab-and-go" bags of sweets for £1, which are to be introduced to 355 stores.
Temporary retailers are becoming increasingly common on the high street as landlords struggle to fill their units. Experian forecasts that more than one in seven UK retail sites - about 135,000 stores - will be unoccupied by the end of this year. For landlords faced with the choice of receiving no rent for a unit and having to pay empty property rates too, a temporary contract is far better than nothing. More on this story
Bargain superstore Primark has launched its first line of beauty products with a low-price make-up range. Branded Beautiful Colour Cosmetics, the collection has been created with manufacturer Swallowfield. It includes double-ended mascara in a variety of colours, concealer, liquid eye-liner and lipgloss. Prices start at £2 and the range is on sale in the UK and Ireland now.
