Aldi bags record UK sales growth though profit dips as it plans more UK expansion September 25, 2017 German budget grocer Aldi’s quest for UK domination continues as its sales growth picked up in the UK, though profits dipped in its full-year results due to “continued investment in prices and infrastructure”. The supermarket onslaught continues however, as the firm outlined plans for 70 new supermarkets for 2018 amid its efforts to hit 1,000 [...]
Financial services firms expect to step up the pace of hiring over the next quarter September 25, 2017 Financial services firms are expected to up the pace of hiring towards the end of the year, according to the latest Financial Services Survey from PwC and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Headcount is predicted to be stable in banks and fall in building societies, but increase in all other sectors. Firms are also [...]
Insurance professionals call for change in firms’ culture to boost diversity September 25, 2017 Professionals in the insurance industry believe workplace culture needs to change to attract and retain top talent, according to a new survey from insurance diversity festival Dive In. Almost three quarters, or 71 per cent, of insurance professionals surveyed from around the globe said that the environment in firms must become more inclusive. The UK [...]
Fintech is saving UK businesses £4.6bn as nearly two thirds adopt financial technology solutions, according to a MarketInvoice survey September 25, 2017 Nearly two-thirds of UK businesses are adopting financial technology (fintech) and making significant savings as a result, according to a survey conducted by business finance firm MarketInvoice. The survey found 65 per cent of 3,482 UK businesses have adopted at least one fintech solution, with 19 per cent making use of four services. These fintech [...]
Businesses wasting $1.5 trillion on office space rent costs, says Philips Lighting during World Green Building Week September 25, 2017 Businesses around the world could save a total of $1.5 trillion (£1.11 trillion) in reduced office costs by using space more efficiently, according to analysis by Philips Lighting. Philips is calling for the renovation rate of offices in developed countries to double to three per cent a year. Refurbishing buildings to optimum standards would reduce [...]
Royal Dutch Shell gears up for the future with plans for UK’s first “no-petrol” station September 24, 2017 Royal Dutch Shell is readying to open the UK’s first “no-petrol” station in London, according to reports. The oil major, which is working to transition to cleaner energy is plotting a service station that offers biofuels, electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen cell refuelling in place of petrol and diesel pumps, the Telegraph reported. But [...]
Deliveroo set to become unicorn with $385m investment September 23, 2017 Deliveroo has secured $385m (£285.3m) in new funding from two US firms. Stateside investors Fidelity and T. Rowe Price have agreed to put money into the UK-based start-up as part of a deal which values the company at over $2bn (£1.48bn), according to Sky News. The investment means rumours of a Deliveroo IPO are likely [...]
How Uber’s CEO responded to losing its London license September 23, 2017 Uber’s new chief executive has said the company needs to be self-reflective in response to the news that the ride-hailing app’s London licence will not be renewed come October. Dara Khosrowshahi, who took up the position just last month, said in an email to colleagues that “there is a high cost to a bad reputation” [...]
Banks left outraged as government rules they must run illegal immigrant checks on all current accounts September 22, 2017 UK banks are quietly outraged about new legislation which will force all banks to run checks for illegal immigrants against their current account customers. Read more: New government rules will force UK banks to search bank accounts for illegal immigrants The government has brought in rules requiring all banks to check their customers against a [...]
Transport for London has ruled Uber will not be allowed to operate in London from 30 September September 22, 2017 Transport for London has today informed Uber that it will not be issued with a private hire operator licence. The ride-hailing app will not be issued a new licence when its current one expires on 30 September. TfL said it has concluded that “Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private [...]