Muted inflation in the Eurozone remains below Brussels target December 17, 2013 EURO area prices fell by another 0.1 per cent between October and November, as inflation remains well below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) target level. Despite the drop over the month, the Eurozone’s annual rate of consumer price inflation rose slightly, up to 0.9 per cent in the year to last month. In the year [...]
Dixons back in health after a return to profit December 17, 2013 DIXONS’ chief executive said the group was well on its way to a recovery after exiting three troubled European businesses and posting its first underlying interim profit in six years. The recession claimed Comet, Jessops and HMV as casualties last year, with Dixons the last man standing in a sector particularly hit by the squeeze [...]
Brand Index: Never mind the hare and bear – Brits are going budget December 17, 2013 OUR RECENT online focus group of people from the so-called “squeezed middle” revealed that they are not feeling the benefits of the economic recovery and also have virtually no faith in politicians (from any political party) to help improve their lot. This week I will delve into which brands the squeezed middle are warming to this [...]
Analyst Views: Has Dixons successfully strengthened its position in the market? December 17, 2013 KATE CALVERT | INVESTEC Dixons has benefited from consolidation particularly with Comet having gone into administration. But the results also show group progress made from the UK restructuring. It has also made great progress in differentiating itself from other major online players. JOHN CUMMINS | WH IRELAND Interims from Dixons read well and demonstrate both [...]
Video ads could lead Facebook to earn another $1bn next year December 17, 2013 FACEBOOK will embark on what could be its next $1bn (£614m) line of business, according to analysts, with the roll out of video ads across the social network later this week. The company said that the new ads will offer advertisers a way to reach the service’s 1.1bn users with video clips in the news [...]
Huawei’s technology to receive closer scrutiny from government December 17, 2013 THE NATIONAL security adviser published a report yesterday encouraging tighter oversight at the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre (HCSEC), which tests the Chinese telecoms firm’s equipment for vulnerabilities. Huawei’s technology is deeply embedded in the UK’s telecoms infrastructure after a deal in 2005 with BT led to Huawei providing parts of its extensive broadband network. The [...]
M&S hires Lloyds director to board December 17, 2013 Marks and Spencer has hired Alison Brittain, one of the most senior women in the banking industry, as a non-executive director. Brittain, who is currently head of retail banking at Lloyds, will help bring her experience of running one of the UK’s biggest branch networks to the group, which has suffered a decline in clothing [...]
High street retail sales catch chill December 17, 2013 High street stores have failed to win over consumers’ wallets so far this month, according to figures released yesterday by BDO, which shows a decline in sales. Like-for-like retail sales fell by 2.6 per cent year-on-year during the first two weeks of December, driven primarily by a 4.5 per cent drop in fashion sales, according [...]
Betfred performing well all-round December 17, 2013 Betfred, the high street bookmaker that bought the state-owned Tote business in 2011, yesterday reported a 19 per cent rise in turnover to £8bn during the year to 31 March. “Our estate of 1,375 betting shops is performing well and we are making great strides in improving and enhancing our online and mobile offerings,” said [...]
Goldsmith tells the PM to come clean on airports December 17, 2013 CONSERVATIVE MP and anti-Heathrow campaigner Zac Goldsmith has accused David Cameron of “cynical PR” over plans to expand Heathrow airport. Goldsmith warned that voters would never forgive him if the Prime Minister’s manifesto commitment to halt any expansion at the airport in west London turned out to be hot air. “All three leaders are going to [...]