All has become clear now why embattled Mothercare hired Simon Calver, former boss of Lovefilm, as its new chief executive.
City Spy had thought it was for his online and branding expertise gained at the DVD rental firm, but it turns out Calver has an 11-month-old toddler and his wife is expecting another just before Christmas. He also lives in Chiswick, widely known for having one of the most pram-packed high streets in the capital. So the perfect place for him to conduct market research.
* Former Bank of England rate-setter and rock fan Andrew Sentance’s thumbs must still be sore after a hectic night’s tweeting on the closing ceremony. Sample: “Now we’re in business!!! God save the Queen!!!!”
* Fearful new parents may wonder, as they have for generations, what kind of world have I brought my baby into? What with recession, capitalism in crisis and all that. But they should stop worrying. The recession has lowered oil prices which in turn means... cheaper nappies. The raw material cost of producing a disposable diaper fell 10% from January to May thanks to the fall in the price of polyethylene and polypropylene, The Grocer magazine reports.
