Author: Sam Allcock

Boohoo has appointed Dan Finley as its new CEO, ignoring demands from shareholder Mike Ashley.Finley brings with him a wealth of experience from his time leading Debenhams and JD Sports.Despite Ashley’s significant influence, Boohoo’s board unanimously supported Finley’s appointment.Boohoo is focusing on accelerating its digital growth strategy under Finley’s leadership.The decision underscores Boohoo’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value through strategic leadership.Boohoo, the online fashion retailer, has named Dan Finley as its new Chief Executive Officer, a decision that has notably sidestepped the interest of major shareholder Mike Ashley. Finley’s previous roles as CEO of Debenhams and a decade-long tenure in…

Debenhams has launched its 2024 festive advertising campaign titled ‘Duh, Debenhams,’ showcasing a light-hearted approach to holiday shopping.The campaign features prominent British personalities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Leomie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and Hannah Cooper-Dommett.The narrative contrasts the chaos of festive shopping with a serene experience, positioning Debenhams as a stress-free alternative.CEO Dan Finley highlights the campaign’s message of making holiday shopping easy with over 10,000 brands available.The advertisement, initiated on YouTube, extends to various media platforms including TV and social media.Debenhams has introduced its 2024 Christmas campaign titled ‘Duh, Debenhams,’ aiming to offer a refreshing take on the hectic nature…

Morrisons debuts its 2024 Christmas advert featuring the return of the beloved singing oven gloves, aiming to highlight the spirit of festive hosting.The 60-second advert, directed by Michael Gracey, first aired on ITV during Coronation Street.Set to ‘Give a Little Love’ from Bugsy Malone, the advert captures viewers with a charming rendition by a choir of 26 Morrisons colleagues.The singing oven gloves provide emotional support to home chefs as part of Morrisons’ campaign to inspire confidence in holiday meal preparation.Group customer and marketing officer, Alex Rogerson, assures the ad supports hosts in creating memorable in-home experiences with Morrisons’ celebratory offerings.Morrisons…

Dawn French takes centre stage once more in M&S Food’s Christmas campaign.Returning as the voice and face of the beloved festive fairy, Dawn French embraces dual roles.The campaign features a narrative that portrays French feeling overwhelmed by festive preparations.The six-part advertisement series kicks off today with magical transformations inspired by the fairy character.M&S promises a visual feast culminating in a festive performance by Katherine Jenkins.In a captivating return to Christmas screens, Dawn French resumes her role as the cherished voice behind M&S Food’s festive fairy. In this year’s campaign, she also steps into the spotlight, appearing as herself across the…

Discover how automation can simplify retail operations during peak seasons.Rising order volumes pose a significant challenge during busy periods.Implementing automation can transform order fulfilment, shipping, and fraud detection.Industry experts recommend early planning for a successful peak season.Data-driven strategies enhance efficiency and profitability in retail.Retailers often face daunting operational challenges during peak seasons, with rising order volumes being one of the most pressing issues. The increased demand requires a streamlined approach to manage orders efficiently without compromising on customer satisfaction. By addressing operational stress through optimized processes, businesses can better handle the influx of orders during this critical period.Automation emerges as…

Primark’s annual financial performance has seen a remarkable upturn, signalling robust sales and strengthening profit margins.The company’s adjusted operating profit saw a 51% increase, reaching £1.1 billion, reflecting a substantial margin recovery.Sales experienced a 6% growth, elevating to £9.4 billion, attributed to strong market performance in the US, and several European countries.Primark’s emphasis on value clothing, a unique shopping experience, and digital engagement has driven its success.Future growth focuses on store expansion and maintaining stable margins in key markets.The recent financial performance of Primark underscores a notable surge in profitability, driven by significant sales growth and an impressive recovery in…

Lidl introduces its 2024 Christmas campaign, spotlighting the joy of giving and the return of its toy bank scheme, aiming to delight and support communities.The campaign’s central advert narrates a touching story featuring children, emphasising kindness and sharing during the festive season.The narrative includes a heartfelt moment where a young girl helps an elderly woman, adding depth to the campaign’s message.Lidl’s Toy Bank scheme makes a comeback, aspiring to collect over 100,000 toys for children in need through a widespread charity network.The initiative invites the public to donate toys nationwide until mid-December, with the campaign available on ITV1 and digital…

Argos introduces its 2024 Christmas advert, bringing festive cheer with returning mascots Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur.The advert, directed by Michael Gracey, illustrates Trevor’s rockstar dreams as he performs ’20th Century Boy’ on a grand stage.Argos’ campaign extends beyond TV, encompassing press, out-of-home, and social activations under the ‘There’s More To Argos’ platform.Director Gracey highlights the unique story that combines Trev’s musical aspirations with Connie’s warmth, embodying the spirit of perfect gifting.Laura Boothby of Argos emphasises the advert’s role in fulfilling holiday dreams with the latest sound tech and top seasonal toys.Argos has premiered its highly anticipated 2024…

Despite a significant increase in sales, Selfridges reported more than a doubling of losses in its latest annual results.The Cambridge Retail Group Holding’s losses before tax surged to £340 million from £126 million the previous year.Sales increased by 95% to £1.6 billion, influenced partly by an increased finance bill with high borrowing interest.The group reduced its workforce by 500, now employing about 7,300 people across its various brands.Property devaluation contributed to its financial challenges, with a notable decline in the value of its flagship store.In an unexpected financial twist, Selfridges, under the ownership of Cambridge Retail Group Holding, experienced a…

Sainsbury’s has confirmed the sale of its Argos credit card portfolio to NewDay Group for £720 million.This transaction marks a strategic move by Sainsbury’s to streamline and refocus its financial services.The credit card portfolio currently supports 20% of Argos sales, used by approximately two million customers.Sainsbury’s will partner with NewDay to develop a new digital credit solution, enhancing customer finance options.This sale follows Sainsbury’s earlier decision to sell parts of its banking division to NatWest Group.Sainsbury’s has taken a significant step in redefining its financial services by selling its Argos credit card portfolio to the NewDay Group for an estimated…