Latest news with #GeorgeHollingbery


The Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary journalist Vic Chapple, who helped turn The Sun into Britain's No1. paper dies aged 93
LEGENDARY former Sun journalist Vic Chapple has died aged 93. Vic worked for the paper from our 1969 launch, helping to turn it into Britain's No 1. 1 For more than 30 years he combined great charm with a tough, no- nonsense approach. He had a ready turn of phrase, dubbing one particularly stubborn Russian leader as 'the abominable NO man'. Vic also noted with wry amusement how a faith healer summoned to cure an injured England footballer prepared by dousing her hotel breakfast cereal in neat vodka. 'Needless to say he didn't make the World Cup,' he laughed. Tributes to Vic were led yesterday by two former Sun editors. Kelvin MacKenzie said: 'Vic was a star. "An example of huge talent meeting hard work. "The success of the Sun was built on a team of reporters off which Vic was a shining light.' Stuart Higgins added: 'Vic was a rare breed of reporter, dogged, generous and unruffled." Colleague George Hollingbery said: 'He was the complete reporter.'

Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Iconic retailer returns after 13 years to take on Amazon
When we were younger, we all had that one store in our neighborhood where we felt at home. Whether that was a local stationery shop, a sporting goods store, an outdoor one, a bookstore, or an electronics store, it was a place we loved to be. We wouldn't necessarily buy something every time we visited, but would at least browse and explore what was new. Related: Beloved taco brand making post-Chapter 11 bankruptcy return We would usually know where every product was shelved, know the staff by their name, and probably know something about their families as well. If you are able to relate to Young Sheldon's obsession with Radio Shack at least a little bit, then you know what I'm talking about. It's very disappointing when these kinds of stores close down, isn't it? Unfortunately, harsh economic conditions over the last two decades have killed so many retailers, and even large chains were impacted. Covid was the knockout for so many brick-and-mortar stores across the globe. Even before the pandemic, retailers felt the so-called "Amazon Effect," or the disruptive effect of e-commerce on the global retailer industry. Now, one beloved retailer that was forced to close its doors 13 years ago is rising from the ashes, and it has plans to compete with Amazon (AMZN) . Comet Electricals Limited is a UK online electrical retailer and a former electronics retail chain that was founded back in 1933 by George Hollingbery as a business charging batteries on a weekly basis. In the 1950s it opened its first electrical store and expanded rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s, going public in 1972. It was sold to Woolworths Group in 1984, then to Kesa in 2003. In 2011, after ongoing losses, Comet was acquired for £2, but the company entered administration and closed all 240 stores by December 2012, leading to the loss of 6,500 jobs. Comet remained dormant for about eight years until Misco Technologies revived it as an online-only retailer in 2020. More Retail: Walmart shares new service that's better than AmazonTarget CEO sounds alarm on customer behaviorNike delivers bad news for customers In May 2025, Comet was acquired by which plans to invest £10 million in the brand's relaunch as an internet-only store. The company expects to launch the new Comet website by Christmas 2025 as an online marketplace where electrical goods manufacturers can market and sell their products, according to the Mirror. The brand has no plans to return to the high street yet. "I am so excited, so thrilled," said founder of OnBuy, Cas Paton. "Growing up, I went to Comet to get what I needed. It was a brand that was close to me personally. We want to bring Comet back to the UK consumer. It's a household name that we estimate is recognized by 70% of UK adults." When it relaunches, Comet will face harsh competition, including online conglomerate Amazon, but also another British electric retail chain, Currys. Nonetheless, Paton is confident in the power of the iconic brand. "Comet is a brand long associated with offering the very best deals in home appliances and consumer electronics," Paton told InsiderMedia. "Its heritage is one that we want to protect and enhance using our innovative technology and business model." Related: McDonald's announces major store change to win back customers He added that OnBuy already links millions of customers with leading brands and retailers. "We're not just reviving a name; we're reimagining what trusted electronics retail looks like in a digital-first economy." Paton's strategy, beyond leveraging a well-known name, includes a broader offering and competitive pricing. "We will be ultra-competitive and undercut Currys and Amazon." The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.