Business breakdown: 5 key headlines from this week on the markets
The John Lewis advert has been released which means the countdown to Christmas is on. What does that mean for the UK’s retailers? We’ve assessed the outlook for the sector and the rest of the big business news in our weekly round-up.
1. The Christmas countdownPumpkins have moulded, fireworks have exploded and the John Lewis advert has been released, which means the countdown to Christmas is on. For retailers, the next few weeks will be crucial. Thus, news that consumer sales fell unexpectedly in October, sparking fears that the UK economy is slowing, will have been very unwelcome to the industry. That said, retailers which have weathered the storms of the last few years, could now find themselves on stronger footing in a far emptier high street. John Lewis, for example, won’t be competing with Debenhams, Mothercare or even House of Fraser this…