http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/ from www.independent.co.uk en-GB Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:52:17 +0100 http://www.typepad.com/ http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-power-time-to-save-7500-pubs.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-power-time-to-save-7500-pubs.html By Martin Hickman Almost every sector of the economy is in jeopardy right now. Retailers are on the brink of meltdown. Housebuilders are laying off labourers, bricklayers, and electricians. Estate agents twiddle their thumbs waiting for buyers that never walk... Spending Power Martin Hickman Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:40:43 +0000 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-powe-1.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-powe-1.html By Martin Hickman At Marks & Spencer, they call it the Tabasco question: should the retailer end its own-brand diktat and stock iconic products that people really like, like Marmite and Tabasco? In May, M&S confirmed that it would trial... Spending Power Martin Hickman Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:42:38 +0000 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-power.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/11/spending-power.html By Martin Hickman What do you ask the world's best chef? Ferran Adria is happy to explain his philosophy of food, why his restaurant is always sold out, why he won't open all year round (Answer: He's too busy experimenting... Spending Power Martin Hickman Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-6.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-6.html By Martin Hickman Coffee shops Starbucks and Costa are continuing their rapid expansion by moving into NHS hospitals. A survey by The Independent shows that 40 of 170 English NHS hospital trusts now has a branded fast food outlet. A... Spending Power Martin Hickman Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:51:41 +0000 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-5.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-5.html By Martin Hickman One advantage of the credit crunch is that it may spell an end to the debt-fuelled decade-long orgy of conspicuous consumption that has so transfixed many shoppers. Countless studies show that once basic needs are met, owning... Spending Power Martin Hickman Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:29:21 +0100 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-4.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-4.html By Martin Hickman I'm a fan of Channel 4's Dispatches, but last night's show on fuel bills offered little new. We knew there was insufficient competition between the power companies; we knew pre-payment meters were a rip-off; we knew energy... Spending Power Martin Hickman Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:38:36 +0100 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-3.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-3.html By Martin Hickman One of the little-known facts about McDonald's in the UK is that its record on animal welfare is quite good. All the beef in the burgers comes from cows in the British Isles, where welfare standards are... Spending Power Martin Hickman Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:52:21 +0100 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-2.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-2.html Pizza Hut is being re-named Pasta Hut to give the business a healthy, modern makeover. Or is it? In a slick piece of PR, Pizza Hut's boss Alasdair Murdoch says the chain is being designed to attract new customers in... Spending Power Martin Hickman Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:55:35 +0100 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-1.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-powe-1.html By Martin Hickman Ofgem's long-awaited report into fuel prices has been welcomed by the £25bn-a-year energy industry, which has been accused of ripping off households. The Energy Retail Association called it a "timely and thorough report". Broadly, Ofgem could find... Spending Power Martin Hickman Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:55:49 +0100 http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-power.html http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/spending-power.html By Martin Hickman As the global economy wobbles, and people rely less on formal financial structures (eg banks), is bartering about to return in a big way? Freecycle, the website where people offer and accept goods free, is experiencing a... Spending Power Martin Hickman Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:45:12 +0100