Amazon backs women in tech with new £130,000 grant March 7, 2019 Amazon has unveiled a plan to increase the number of women in technology and innovation by improving diversity on interview panels and encouraging women to apply. Read more: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos accuses National Enquirer of blackmail The effort, which comes in time for International Women’s Day tomorrow, will try to overcome some of the [...]
Short sellers tailing off at Pets at Home March 6, 2019 In a rare sign of City confidence in the struggling high street, short sellers have been backing off the recently targeted retail giant Pets at Home. Last year hedge funds were vigorously targeting the leading pet care business, which spooked investors when it posted an 80 per cent crash in profits and vet practice closure [...]
Financial institutions beware – big tech is moving into banking March 6, 2019 Despite Brexit uncertainties and stock market collapses, British banks concluded their 2018 earnings season with improved performance. Profitability increased thanks to cost drives, while balance sheets strengthened through derisking assets. Banks’ ability to grow revenue, however, remains a perennial challenge. The quest to growth may be harder in the digital age. In a recent report [...]
To buy to not to buy? The pitfalls of online shopping when at work March 5, 2019 A furtive glance to the side, to gauge your neighbour’s gaze. A quick dart over the shoulder, perhaps a slight bob upwards in the chair above the rim of the screen, to check if the coast is clear. And then, the adrenaline building, comes the lightning-quick rattle of the keyboard, the double click and, yes, there [...]
Music streaming revenues overtake ownership for the first time amid shift to ‘rental’ market March 4, 2019 The popularity of subscription services reached record levels in the UK last year as music streaming revenues overtook ownership formats for the first time. Revenues from paid-for music subscription services such as Spotify jumped 39 per cent last year to £829m, meaning subscriptions now account for 62 per cent of all music revenues, according to figures [...]
Amazon to open supermarkets across US in food business expansion March 2, 2019 Amazon is looking to open dozens of supermarkets across America as it tries to expand its food business. The online retailer is also exploring the option of buying regional chains that have at least 12 stores as it bids to strength its new supermarket brand, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read more: New York leaders beg Amazon to [...]
Strong and stable: London extends lead as Europe’s top hub for unicorn startups March 1, 2019 London has cemented its status as the home of more young billion-dollar tech companies than any other European city, taking home the crown for ten consecutive years. Read more: Female fintech leaders highlighted as sector battles gender imbalance The number of so-called unicorn startups – private businesses valued at $1bn (£752.6m) and founded after 2000 [...]
Fedex creates Segway-inspired delivery robot with Pizza Hut and Walmart February 28, 2019 Fedex has unveiled a pizza delivery robot that will hit the streets this summer. Read more: What’s on your tech radar for 2019? Pizza Hut and Walmart are both on board, with trials set to begin soon in cities across the US, including in Fedex’s hometown of Memphis. The autonomous bot, which is powered by an [...]
ITV and BBC announce online streaming service to rival Netflix February 27, 2019 ITV has reported boosted revenue this morning as the broadcaster announced it is in final talks with the BBC to launch Netflix rival Britbox. The figures Total external revenue was up three per cent to £3.2bn and total non-advertising revenues grew five per cent to £1.9bn, ITV said in its full-year year results for [...]
US Court of Appeals backs AT&T takeover of Time Warner February 26, 2019 US telecoms giant AT&T’s takeover with Time Warner was given the green light today by a federal appeals judge that ruled in favour of the acquisition. An appeals court rejected the Justice Department's bid to overturn a ruling that approved the $80bn (£60bn) merger, which has led to one of the largest US anti-trust lawsuits in [...]