Mothercare boss Chris Martin paid the price for the retailer’s continuing slump today as the group warned it expected to report a loss at the half-year.

Electronics Boutique surged on the stock market today after revealing a huge increase in sales across its video and computer games stores.

Marks & Spencer chairman Luc Vandevelde is expected to come under further pressure tomorrow when he reports what City analysts predict will be a disappointing set of Christmas trading figures.