THE HUB RETAIL RECRUITMENT’S WEEKLY NEWS SNIPPETS

This week has been one of big stories – Hilary Clinton collapsing and worries that she won’t be well enough to continue running as a presidential candidate; a ceasefire in Syria that is holding for now; the NHS on its knees with 80% of Trusts in the red; Theresa May’s education plans unveiled and coming under intense fire. Such huge issues. But one story has eclipsed them all. The Great British Bake Off is moving to Channel 4! Mel and Sue won’t be moving with it – the big question on the nation’s lips, so it seems, it what will Paul and Mary do?! On a more serious note, it is a result of the BBC buying in most of its programmes, rather than producing its own, that exposes it to losing its most popular programmes to other channels that can offer more cash. It is a shame as the GBBO is so BBC. Here’s an up to date story on it all:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37355065

Our other news stories this week are: Paperchase considers floatation; Plastic money; Inflation holds; and M&S female executive not to return.

Paperchase considers floatation: our favourite card and stationery retailer, which is privately owned, is considering its funding options again after an aborted for sale sign a couple of years ago. Floatation is one of these options, so says recent reports. We say that, as the leader in its field, and wishing to expand further internationally as well as here at home, those are shares we’d take a stake in.

https://www.retail-week.com/sectors/general-merchandise/paperchase-prepares-to-float-to-fuel-international-ambitions/7011950.article

Plastic money: What is the world coming to when our beloved paper notes start to get taken over by plastic ones? The new £5 note has now been issued. Apparently it will survive the washing machine, but not the iron! No doubt in 20 years or so it will seem ridiculous that we ever had paper money. But for the moment, let us mourn the beginning of its demise. And maybe squirrel some away to pass on to our grandchildren as they might gain in value.

http://news.sky.com/story/new-polymer-1635-note-ready-to-go-for-a-spin-10576152

Inflation holds: At 0.6%, inflation is holding up under the Brexit pressure, despite the fall in the value of sterling. Although food prices rose, cheaper hotels and High Street bargains kept it level. It’s a little lower than economists and the Bank of England predicted. Raw material costs for our manufacturing companies have of course risen sharply for 2 months in a row because of the fall in the £, but surprisingly this isn’t yet affecting inflation. Of course, analysts are expecting it to rise over the coming months. But let’s not forget that the Bank of England’s target level for inflation is 2% – so we’re way below that at the moment, and have been for over 2 years now.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/13/uk-inflation-holds-steady-in-august-despite-weaker-pound-after-b/

M & S female executive not to return: As we’ve reported over the last few weeks, the whole issue of women in the workplace has been found wanting – to put it mildly. So it raised eyebrows when M & S announced that its director of digital, Laura Wade-Gery wouldn’t be going back after a year of maternity leave. Neither party is saying why. And whilst it is reported in this article that Ms Made-Gery: was tipped to take over as CEO but the job was given to Steve Rowe; and that whilst on mat leave her responsibilities have been shared out successfully; and that her 5 years at M & S have seen mixed successes, we wonder if there is something more straight forward behind it. Perhaps as an older mum she has loved being at home and wants to enjoy it for the next few years? And let’s face it, with the reported ‘golden hello’ she got of £4m, plus the possible £2m she’ll get over the next few years from the M & S shares scheme, why wouldn’t she?

https://www.ft.com/content/55082856-78ff-11e6-97ae-647294649b28

So that’s our pick of the stories this week. We hope you’ve enjoyed them, and do look out for next Wednesday’s News Snippets on 21^st September.