Posts from ‘April, 2009’

As we approach one of the keystones of the pagan calendar and absolute highlight of the Morris-dancing world - which is in fact May day, I’m tickled to note that company directors are feeling the joys of spring and consumers feeling more confident than they have done in a year. I’ve got a few theories on [...]

The British Shops and Stores Association said that sales at independent retailers fell 3.1 per cent in Q12009 compared with last year, with non-food stores experiencing more difficult trading conditions than their grocery-selling colleagues.
The fashion magazine Drapers reported BSSA chief Executive John Dean as saying: “Clearly the recent budget failed to address the need to [...]

If I wasn’t sat in the office there’s an above average chance that I’d be loitering around Top Shop like a crazed teen, awaiting permission to enter and clear the shelves of the new Biba collection. (Especially as I was too late to pick up anything interesting from H&M after Matthew Williamson launched his colourful [...]

London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson, today launched a 50-day-long initiative to get more visitor’s – and hopefully therefore shoppers -  into London’s West End. The new ‘West End It’s Time’ project is offering £1mn of free events in May and June, such as playgrounds on Oxford street, concerts, celebrity appearances and traffic-free days along with daily [...]

It seems more people are asking the question - Where’s this recession then?! Guest blogger Gabriella Webb writes: Enjoying a spot of shopping in the sunshine on Northcross Road in East Dulwich Shop was surprised to see people literally spilling out of the stores, it seems that the recession has definitely passed this little bit [...]

I was interested to read on Marketplace News that the Stoke based table and giftware manufacturer, Portmeirion, has salvaged the brand names and intellectual property of Royal Worcester & Spode - one of the UK’s most well-known and historical pottery companies - which went into administration last November. This must make Portmeirion even stronger in [...]

Shop was interested to note the preponderance of retailers - both in Europe and the wider world - who made it into the upper echelons of The Sunday Times Rich List 2009.  Sir Philip and Lady Green, with their BHS department stores and seven fashion chains was number six in the UK list with a fortune pushing [...]

I must confess that despite the glorious sunshine I began the morning in rather an angry mood. First up on the annoyance list was the train (what else) which was running late because - and I quote - London Midland was: “Awaiting a driver.” Storming off for a walk along the canal, the connection between [...]

With Earth Day just two days away (Wednesday April 22) I was wondering if anyone had heard of any green initiatives or products being launched for the occasion?
I know the Disneynature movie Earth will appear in America on that day, and Nickelodeon will air their Green episode of Yo Gabba Gabba! as part of its [...]

 
A sole trader who runs a small knitting business , little cotton rabbits, has claimed that Tesco is selling one of her designs and is breaching her intellectual property rights. On Nick Booth’s Podnosh blog the lady in question is quoted as saying:
 
“I have not supplied the design or pattern to them and I [...]