With the Costa Coffee sale steaming ahead, it's time for Whitbread to think seriously about its hotel strategy. Zip will sit at the budget end but what about something above the flagship Premier Inn brand?
Oyo's surprise move represents a big threat to the likes of Whitbread-owned Premier Inn, which has been a dominant force in the UK scene over the past few years. We'll have to wait for more details to see just how serious a player it might become.
Laws have been changed to supposedly eliminate gender bias but the problem at senior levels still persists. Companies first need to admit they have a problem, then they can do something about it. Perhaps there should be greater consideration of quotas.