What is China’s Singles Day? Alibaba nears record-breaking billion-dollar sales target in one day November 11, 2014 The 11th day of the 11th month has a very different meaning in China – in case you haven't heard, today is Singles Day, because of the combination of two 'ones'. But having initially been a day for young singles to meet future partners, and also eat lots of deep fried dough sticks and dumplings, [...]
New Look defies warm weather as profits soar November 11, 2014 New Look has defied the warm weather that has dampened other retailers' sales, with the fast fashion business reporting profits up a whopping 89.1 per cent for the first half of the year. Profits before tax stood at £26.1m for the six months to September 27 – up on £13.8m the same period last [...]
Don’t look down: Check out these vertigo-inducing pictures of Tower Bridge’s new glass walkway November 11, 2014 London is making a habit out of creating buildings that test your head for heights. Today Tower Bridge unveiled a new glass walkway offering a unique view of the 120-year-old bridge and the Thames 42m (138ft) below. The £1m walkway is 11m by 1.8m long. The West Walkway was opened today and [...]
Tesco wins court battle against Sainsbury’s over Price Promise November 10, 2014 SAINSBURY’S claim that Tesco’s Price Promise campaign was unlawful and like comparing “apples with pears” has been thrown out by a High Court judge. Sainsbury’s complained that, when applied to Tesco’s own label products and fresh food, the price comparisons were misleading, unfair and unlawful. The promise involves a pledge to match Sainsbury’s, Asda and [...]
IoD: Businesses back Ed Miliband on Europe but warns over “credibility” of Labour’s tax policies November 10, 2014 Businesses back Miliband on Europe – but believe that his tax policies reveal a “large gap” in Labour's economic “credibility”. That is the according to the Institute of Directors (IoD), which today said business wanted to work with the shadow leader but could not while the “gulf” around his tax plans remain. Miliband [...]
Sainsbury’s loses clash of the titans as its challenge over Tesco’s Price Promise is thrown out November 10, 2014 Tesco can breathe a sigh of relief – Sainsbury's claim that its Price Promise campaign was unlawful and like comparing “apples with pears” has been thrown out by a High Court judge. Sainsbury's had complained that, when applied to Tesco's own label products and fresh food, the price comparisons were misleading, unfair and unlawful. [...]
David Cameron and George Osborne give Aldi thumbs up after 35,000 jobs pledge November 10, 2014 It's not just bargain hunting shoppers and those looking for the best tipple who love Aldi – now the Prime Minister and chancellor have told the world of their love for the German grocer. David Cameron and George Osborne today welcomed the news that Aldi has pledged to create 35,000 new jobs in the [...]
From overtime holiday pay and immigration to the EU bill and John Lewis’ Christmas advert: 10 things we learned this week November 8, 2014 1. Businesses are going to have to start giving workers holiday pay for overtime. But it's quite complicated and likely to be subject to a few appeals so it's still a bit up in the air. 2. John Lewis is the king of Christmas adverts. That's not just our view, but the view of [...]
From Sherlock to David Attenborough: BBC earmarks March as launch date for new download-to-own service BBC Store November 7, 2014 You will be able to download and keep individual thousands of programmes from the BBC's archive for the first time next spring. The iTunes-style download-to-own service, dubbed BBC Store, will go live in March 2015, following a trial early next year. Although you can already download-to-own a number of programmes, this is expected [...]
“Result for Britain”: UK’s £1.7bn EU bill halved and payment deferred, says chancellor George Osborne November 7, 2014 George Osborne has negotiated to halve the £1.7bn bill being demanded by the European Union, adding that the rules are to be changed so “this never happens again”. The chancellor had travelled to Brussels to get the surcharge, which was calculated by statistical authority Eurostat, dropped. The government had spoken out against the [...]
