Stock Spirits row continues as investor slams “disdainful” treatment of shareholders January 15, 2017 Stock Spirits, a London-listed producer of Polish vodka, has been criticised by a prominent shareholder for the board’s “disdainful” treatment of investors. Luis Amaral, who owns a 9.7 per cent stake in the company, said there had been a lack of transparency in dealings with shareholders. He cited the cancellation of a planned investor day [...]
Christmas celebrations boost overall consumer spending for December January 9, 2017 Visa cardholders spent more in the final quarter of 2016 than they had for two years, according to Visa’s UK Consumer Spending Index, pointing toward a solid increase in household spending. The monthly report showed that consumer spending in December was up 2.6 per cent on the year in December with online purchases leading the [...]
Chinese consumers lead worldwide resurgence in smartphone sales January 9, 2017 Global smartphone sales are set to rebound after dropping to a three-year low last year, according to a survey carried out by Accenture. More than half of respondents said that they planned to buy a new smartphone in the next year whereas only 48 per cent said the same last year. The Asian market will [...]
Cameron Mackintosh takes home £35.5m dividend from theatre empire January 8, 2017 Theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh more than doubled his dividend payout last year to £35.5m, despite a slight dip in his company’s profits. Cameron Mackintosh Limited, which produces a range of West End hits including Les Miserables, Oliver!, and Cats, reported profits before tax of £27.7m in the year to March, down from £28.2m in [...]
HMD launches new Nokia smartphone for the Chinese market January 8, 2017 The launch of the first Nokia smartphone produced by HMD Global was announced yesterday. Aimed at Chinese users, the new Nokia 6 will retail at 1,699 yuan (£200). It will be the first new smartphone to carry the Nokia name since 2014. In a statement, HMD said the decision to launch into China was “a [...]
Sports Direct may sell famous brands in bid to become more upmarket January 8, 2017 Sports Direct is looking into selling several of its brands as part of its bid to become the “Selfridges of Sports”. Founder Mike Ashley’s mission to turn the company’s standing around and to make Sports Direct more upmarket has reportedly progressed to ditching brands no longer deemed relevant to the UK market. According to sources, [...]
Government blocks sale of rare Wedgwood vase December 15, 2016 The culture minister has blocked a rare Josiah Wedgwood vase from leaving the country. The “Basaltes” vase was sold in July to an unnamed bidder for almost half a million pounds. However, it is hoped that an alternative buyer from the UK can raise an equivalent amount of £482,500 (plus £16,500 VAT) in order to [...]
Heron Tower still standing as overseas lenders flock to financing deal December 15, 2016 The City of London’s tallest skyscraper has attracted new lenders to the UK commercial property market, as its financers reached their syndication target. ING and Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW) have now completed the syndication of their £400m loan against Heron Tower. The pair have syndicated over £200m, exceeding their 50 per cent target. It is understood [...]
Financial services sector is a “golden goose” for tax revenue as top UK firms contribute £82.3bn December 15, 2016 The tax contribution of the largest UK companies to the economy is now £82.3bn, according to a study published today. A survey of the total tax contribution of the 100 Group shows that the amount either paid or generated by the biggest UK firms has gone up by 2.2 per cent from last year’s total [...]
Lingerie brand Bluebella secures £1m through crowdfunding for US expansion December 14, 2016 The British brand which created the official Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie has raised £1m – double its original target – in a crowdfunding campaign. Bluebella turned to its fans for help funding an expansion to the US, and reached a grand total of £1,088,700 by the time the campaign ended. Founder Emily Bendell said: [...]
