The global e-cigarette market is set to be worth $32bn by 2021, and the UK market will grow to $5.67bn December 14, 2016 The global electronic cigarette market is set to be worth $32bn (£25bn) by the year 2021, while the UK market grows to $5.67bn (£4.46bn), a new report suggests. The "tremendous" growth rate of vapour products is due to increased popularity in North America, particularly the US, and European countries including the UK, a new report by Beige Market Intelligence [...]
New York Stock Exchange agrees deal to takeover fellow US exchange December 14, 2016 The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has agreed a takeover deal for the US’ National Stock Exchange (NSX). Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1885, the NSX was due to close at the end of this week. Read more: UK competition authority tells NYSE owner ICE to sell London-based Trayport But NYSE owner Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) [...]
It takes us more than an hour to unwind after work and even longer to switch off on holiday December 14, 2016 Well, good luck enjoying your holiday – it takes British workers 2.63 days of annual leave to switch off from work mode, new research suggests. The data also found it takes us a shocking 10.31 days of annual leave to feel able to return to work completely refreshed and relaxed. That's equal to more than half of the UK's statutory [...]
It’s take off for Gordon Ramsay Group’s Plane Food as it secures a 10-year Heathrow deal December 14, 2016 Gordon Ramsay Group has secured a 10-year extension of its Plane Food restaurant at Heathrow’s Terminal 5. The restaurant will close for 12 weeks next year as it undergoes a makeover, before reopening in July, when it will boast a new bar along with the creation of semi-private dining areas. Plane Food opened in Heathrow back [...]
Zara owner Inditex announces profit rise amid ongoing global expansion December 14, 2016 Inditex, the owner of various fashion brands including Zara and Bershka, has announced a nine per cent rise in its nine-month profit. Net profit reached €2.2bn (£1.85bn), and gross margin was 57.9 per cent. The Spanish retailer's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased 8.4 per cent, hitting €3.6bn. Read more: Zara owner [...]
Watch: UK claims Amazon’s first ever drone delivery December 14, 2016 Amazon’s dream of drone deliveries just became a reality – and it happened first in the UK. A fully automated drone with no human input delivered a package to a customer in Cambridgeshire, taking just 13 minutes to get it from depot to door. The first flight of its kind is a major step forward [...]
Southern rail debacle: The strikes aren’t on tomorrow but that doesn’t mean the trains will be running December 14, 2016 Southern rail commuters hoping to get to work tomorrow may need to take another day off and have been warned the network will be rife with reductions and cancellations. The Govia-owned firm has admitted some striking staff may not be able to get to work tomorrow because industrial action doesn't actually finish until midnight tonight. This will have a [...]
Vroom vroom: Private equity house announces second acquisition in two days December 14, 2016 A private equity group has announced its second acquisition in two days, today taking a majority stake in a British vehicle hire company. Equistone Partners Europe has bought TOM Vehicle Rental, investing alongside management and the company founder-owner. Read more: Majority steak acquired: Is this the meatiest private equity deal of 2016? TOM was founded in 1991 [...]
The City of London’s newest skyscraper has another new tenant and it isn’t even built yet December 14, 2016 One of the City’s newest skyscrapers on the block has secured another commercial tenant. Bermuda-based insurance provider Axis Capital have confirmed that they will move into 52 Lime Street, otherwise known as The Scalpel, by 2018. Insurance broker BPL Global has already bagged the 12th floor in the 35-storey structure, while Axis will take up residence on [...]
David Davis reveals Brexit plans will not be ready to be published until February at the earliest December 14, 2016 The Brexit secretary has today revealed his department's plans for the impending Brexit negotiations will not be published until February at the earliest. Speaking in front of the Exiting the European Union Committee, David Davis said he intended to publish the plans as soon as possible but added it certainly would not be before the end of [...]