Burberry

As the new man in charge, Philip Clarke – who took over the reins from Sir Terry Leahy not much more than six weeks ago – will have all eyes on him tomorrow when Tesco announces its full-year results.

Burberry, which is due to update the market this week, is planning a global roll-out of its three separate fashion lines. The programme is part of a plan to distinguish its upmarket catwalk collections from its more casual lines.

This week I will mostly be browsing for wellies. I should point out that I own a pair already – they're tall, black Hunter ones which, I have been told, make me look like a dustbin man, but I'm not letting that put me off. Green ones are a bit too country set, pink ones are girlish, some of my best friends are dustbin men. Etc, etc...

The fragile state of the UK economic recovery was underlined today after Halfords and Carpetright served a double dose of retail woe.

Perennially talked about as a possible bid target, Burberry once again found its takeover potential under discussion yesterday as the upmarket clothing retailer shot up the blue-chip index.

The top-tier index was covered in blue last night as it finally managed to bring to an end a run of six straight sessions of falls. The challenge for investors, however, was to separate the stocks that were over-sold after the tragedy in Japan from those merely experiencing a dead cat bounce.

As spectators speculated on her bridal gown at the Paris catwalks, Kate Middleton opted for a more homegrown and traditional look this week as she ventured out to meet her public on Shrove Tuesday.

Burberry was in vogue last night, matching its highest price on record, as the luxury goods sector was boosted by news of a €3.7bn (£3.2bn) takeover and claims it could become a "trillion-dollar industry" in less than 15 years.

Luxury fashion retailers are set to be the big winners over the next three years, boosted by a recessionary flight to quality, an ageing population and by the "Kate Middleton effect" before and after the Royal Wedding, according to a survey by Barclays Corporate.

Discount fashion retailer TK Maxx is planning a London shop near Piccadilly Circus after being told it "wasn't posh enough" two years ago.

When I met Lord Davies of Abersoch at the Department of Business last week to talk about his plans to get more women to the top of UK companies, I asked what had pleased him most about his six-month inquiry.