<\/p>\n
Lucy Punch: face of M&S advertising campaign (pic: BBC)<\/p>\n
Marks & Spencer will unveil its Christmas plans this week after recruiting Lucy Punch, star of the sitcom Amandaland, as the face of its advertising campaign.<\/p>\n
The campaign comes ahead of half-year results on Wednesday and Kate Calvert, head of retail and consumer research at Investec bank, forecasts pre-tax profits of \u00a3397 million, more than double the previous year\u2019s \u00a3184m.<\/p>\n
However, last year M&S was reeling from a serious cyber-attack that forced the suspension of its online and click-and-collect orders.<\/p>\n
Calvert expects a 12.5% increase in food sales to \u00a3252m and a 20% jump in food, home and beauty sales to \u00a3197m.<\/p>\n
M&S chief executive Stuart Machin has emphasised the focus on food, home and beauty, saying \u201cthe hard yards start here\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Management at fashion and home interiors group Next has already lowered second-half expectations, though analysts believe it could improve on guidance.<\/p>\n
One of the best British summers on record helped Next grow full-price sales by nearly 8% in the first half and the UK high street is no longer where the opportunity lies for Next, say AJ Bell analysts.<\/p>\n
Strong overseas online growth is being driven by localised digital marketing spending via its European distribution partnership with Zalando.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem with success is that investors keep raising the bar and with the shares trading close to all-time highs amid an enviable track record of profit upgrades, there is no room for disappointment\u201d.<\/p>\n
Primark owner Associated British Foods will be hoping its decision to offer home delivery will boost the fashion chain\u2019s subdued performance before its planned spin-off in 2027.<\/p>\n
Home delivery could remove one of Primark\u2019s biggest barriers to growth, but convenience comes at a cost. The test is whether Primark can add online sales without sacrificing the low prices and store economics that made the brand successful.<\/p>\n
With full-year numbers largely in the rear-view mirror, the focus shifts to whether resilience elsewhere in the conglomerate\u2019s portfolio will be sweet enough to offset expected deterioration in Sugar during 2027.<\/p>\n
DIARY<\/p>\n
Monday 2 November<\/p>\n
In the US, quarterly earnings from Apple, Berkshire Hathaway.<\/p>\n
Tuesday 3 November<\/p>\n
Full-year results from Associated British Foods<\/p>\n
Wednesday 4 November<\/p>\n
Full-year results from Smiths News<\/p>\n
Half-yearresults from Trainline<\/p>\n
Third-quarter results from Smith & Nephew<\/p>\n
Trading updates from Barratt Redrow, JD Wetherspoon, Marks & Spencer, Prudential<\/p>\n
Thursday 5 November<\/p>\n
Full-year results from Asos<\/p>\n
Half-year results from Autotrader, National Grid, RS Group and Tate & Lyle,<\/p>\n
Trading update from Next<\/p>\n
Asos, Autotrader,\u00a0BT Group, Croda International,\u00a0Diageo, Harbour Energy, M&G,<\/p>\n
Bank of England interest rate decision<\/p>\n
US weekly jobless claims<\/p>\n
Friday 6 November<\/p>\n
Third-quarter earnings from IAG<\/p>\n
UK Halifax house price index for October<\/p>\n
\t #packs #punch #Christmas #campaign #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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