Betting exchange Smarkets reports whopping 1,500 per cent profit rise September 8, 2016 Betting exchange Smarkets has reported a more than 1,500 per cent profit rise last year, as the Malta and UK-based gambling firm established itself in the competitive online gambling sphere. The figures More than £1bn worth of trades were executed on the Smarkets exchange last year, the company said today, as it released its first audited [...]
New Zealand government gives green light to plain cigarette packaging September 8, 2016 New Zealand is set to become the latest country to introduce plain cigarette packaging after new legislation passed its final hurdle in the country's parliament today. The Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill passed with 108 to 12 votes. It was first introduced in 2013, though a legal challenge launched by tobacco companies put it on [...]
Nearly three per cent of UK workers have reported they are now on a zero-hours contract September 8, 2016 Almost three per cent of the UK's workforce has reported being employed on a zero-hours contract basis in their main job, according to new figures. Data released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of people on zero-hours contracts, which do not guarantee staff a certain number of hours' work, rose by [...]
Deloitte installs bitcoin ATM open to the public at its Toronto office to teach employees the basics of blockchain technology September 8, 2016 Deloitte launched its first bitcoin ATM to the public yesterday at its office in Toronto, where its Rubix blockchain division is based, in a bid to take employees back to the basics of cryptocurrency technology. The Big Four accounting firm unveiled the terminal to employees on Tuesday, before opening its doors for public use on Wednesday. The bitcoin [...]
Jim Beam trolls the iPhone 7 launch with its very own “Apple Watch” offering September 8, 2016 With all the hype surrounding the fabled Apple iPhone 7 and accessories launch yesterday, those who are less keen on splashing out for a costly new device can take solace in Jim Beam's much cheaper "Apple Watch" competitor. The 200-year-old bourbon whisky maker's trolling abilities were out in full force last night, as it released [...]
Poundland shareholders overwhelmingly give Steinhoff green light for takeover September 7, 2016 Steinhoff International's long-running takeover attempt of Poundland was given the green light today by the discount chain's shareholders, who overwhelmingly backed the deal. At a general meeting at Poundland's head office in Willenhall in the West Midlands, 98.4 per cent of investors approved the South African retail giant's revised offer, which it hiked last month from [...]
Pharmaceutical group Futura Medical’s shares erupt more than 100 per cent on erectile dysfunction “breakthrough” Eroxon September 7, 2016 Shares in the pharmaceutical group Futura Medical rocketed to a more than two-year high today after its erectile dysfunction gel excelled at late-stage clinical trials. The Guildford-based firm has been developing the product, currently branded Eroxon, for 15 years. In its study of 232 randomised males it showed a "statistically significant improvement" for all erectile dysfunction sufferers when [...]
Joules’ countryside style strikes a chord with shoppers as profits soar September 7, 2016 Profits soared at premium, country-style retailer Joules last year, topping off a "transformational" period for the clothing and accessories group which launched on the AIM in May. The figures Profit before tax shot up by 41.5 per cent to £7.5m in the 52 weeks to 29 May, up from £5.3m in 2015, while basic earnings per share ballooned by [...]
Katy Perry launches new joint venture with Global Brands Group just after footwear collection tie-up September 7, 2016 Katy Perry made a footwear collection – and she liked it. So much so, in fact, that her next project with Hong Kong-based Global Brands Group is set to go off like a firework after the collaborators announced a second joint venture today. Perry and the apparel, footwear and accessories company will expand on the [...]
Sir Philip Green’s superyacht Lionheart renamed the BHS Destroyer by comedian Lee Nelson September 7, 2016 While Sir Philip Green's superyacht may have been christened the somewhat noble "Lionheart", it's going under a new, much punchier name thanks to comedian Lee Nelson. Nelson made his way over to the multi-million pound yacht, which was parked in Monaco, in a dinghy to attach his homemade sign that dubs the vessel the "BHS [...]
