Corporate Governance

Those students regularly looking for information on corporate governance ( or lack of it ) should have no difficulty in finding case studies this year. Although it was once uncommon to read about the concept of CG  in the press you will find that combining the words Murdoch and Corporate Governance on the Newsbank database  gives us a choice of 151 stories this year.

Up until the 7th May that is....

Just a Minute Videos

Films available on a variety of topics - including use of our journals and how to search them effectively. Available through LR Web for students, staff and everyone else...

http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/whoweare/videos

Eastex & Alexon

Despite my upbeat posts about 'Made in England' brands such as Eastex and Alexon both firms are now in severe financial straits. Eastex has been bought out and Alexon is facing 'severe funding problems'

In Luton the situation can't have been helped by the closure of Guildford Street whilst the new busway is being constructed. This has restricted access to both firms retail outlets in the town at this difficult time.

Case study research for business

Case Study Research for Business

Jillian Farquhar

This book is a vital addition to the LRC. Designed for business and management students. It covers definitions about what is meant by case study research as well as chapters of collecting, managing and analysing data.

Game Over in Luton

Another closure in the Luton Mall. GAME the computer games retailer has closed with the company in grave danger

Suppliers of new games were so worried about the company's prospects that they were unwilling to deal with the company.

Most gamers today seem to buy products and services online.

Bad news for the Luton staff. The Mall branch is one of 280 to close. A further 333 stores remain in the UK.

Another Mall Store Closes

Another familiar brand has disappeared from the Luton Mall recently with the closure of Millets.

As a seller of outdoor wear, particularly waterproofs for camping and walking, it would be perhaps possible to blame the recent good weather !

Millets fortunes however have been in decline for a while. Blacks Leisure who own the company has faced a 9% decline in sales. A takeover by JD Sports has not worked out and maybe Luton just doesn't have enough campers and walkers.

Nearest stores are now Hitchin ( 7.5 miles away ) Hemel ( 9 miles ) and St Albans (9.5 )

Success on the High Street - it's a piece of cake

When I moved to Luton in 1990 the shopping centre ( then called the Arndale ) had two branches of Our Price, as well as an HMV. The Luton Mall still has an HMV but two GREGGS.

Greggs recently announced their final year figures. Profits are up by 15 % and there are 84 new outlets in the UK. This strong performance is based on cheap sausage rolls and coffee. Many shops have installed their own coffee machines.

The Wetherspoons Pub chain has also realised that the British love their coffee but are not always prepared to pay Starbucks (or Costa) prices.