Without proper e-commerce investment, Steve Rowe risks making Marks & Spencer fade into obscurity January 8, 2016 Ahead of Christmas, UBS analysts predicted that the retail winners would be those with the strongest online offering. As sales results from the holiday period get reported, the analysts are being proven right, with the most e-commerce and mobile-friendly retailers coming top of the pile in the festive fight. This trend claimed it’s first victim this week, with the [...]
Recommended alcohol unit intake reduced: The effect of wine or beer on health is more complicated than the chief medical officer would have us believe January 8, 2016 I have been predicting for years that the day will come when the recommended drinking level falls to zero. Today’s lowering of the weekly limit for men to a miserly 14 units (seven pints of beer) brings that day a little closer. It is clear from reading the chief medical officer Sally Davies’ report that she believes that teetotallism [...]
City Moves for 8 January 2016 | Who’s switching jobs January 8, 2016 Whistl Postal operator Whistl has appointed home delivery specialist Christine Key to grow its packets and parcel division. Previous roles held by Christine in the delivery sector include sales director at Yodel/ Home Delivery Network, sales director DPD/GeoPost UK and commercial director at Parcelnet. Earthport Earthport, the cross-border payment specialist based in London, has appointed [...]
Reaching the top: The key strategies for women in the corporate world January 8, 2016 In recent years, more women than ever have stepped into leadership roles. In 2015, 26 per cent of FTSE 100 directorships were held by women, according to the Professional Boards Forum’s BoardWatch. However, while it’s great to see an increasing proportion of women in top jobs, it’s clear there is still much more to do. [...]
Pay growth falls to two-year low despite jobs rise January 8, 2016 Pay growth has slowed to its lowest rate in over two years, new survey figures show this morning. The slowdown comes despite an increase in job vacancies in December, according to the data compiled by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and financial services firm KPMG. The survey’s pay gauge slid to a score of 58.7 [...]
UK house prices: Number of tenants in serious rent arrears rising January 8, 2016 The number of tenants falling seriously behind on rent went up by 13.8 per cent between the three months to June and the three months to September, according to figures released this morning. There were 84,200 tenants more than two months behind on their payments between July and September – the most for two years, the [...]
WhatsApp users targeted by cybercriminals in new malware attack January 7, 2016 A malware campaign specifically targeting businesses and customers using the WhatsApp messaging app has been uncovered. Cybercriminals are sending emails that spread malware when clicked. Craftily disguised as genuine WhatsApp content, the emails contain an attached zip file with malware. Comodo Antispam researchers first discovered the phishing scam, which uses a number of different email [...]
Saudi Arabia mulls IPO of oil producer Aramco – possibly the world’s most valuable company January 7, 2016 Saudi Arabia is mulling an IPO of state owned oil producer Saudi Aramco, possibly the world's most valuable company. Muhammad bin Salman, the kingdom’s deputy crown prince and defence minister, has said the decision about listing shares will be made in the next few months. He has held two high-level meetings about the move, the Economist reports. [...]
With Marks and Spencer’s CEO Marc Bolland bowing out, odds shorten on the City’s retail boss departures January 7, 2016 So M&S boss Marc Bolland has finally stepped down, after years of pressure – but who thought his departure would be revealed just seven days into the New Year? At the very start of this week The Capitalist brought you odds on The 2016 Sack Race, including the 4/5 that was available on Marks’ Dutch [...]
Stirling Square private equity closes third funding round at €600m as private equity funds reach record highs January 7, 2016 Private equity firm Stirling Square Capital Partners, whose portfolio includes the UK’s National Fostering Agency, has closed its third fund after raising €600m (£447m). Stirling Square’s second fund in 2010 raised €375m, and 60 per cent of the third fund’s investors were involved in the last fund. The firm was founded in 2002, and specialises [...]