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South Africa posts record trade surplus after exports of precious metals and stones sky-rockets June 30, 2016 South Africa reported a whopping R18.7bn (£928m) trade surplus today, outdoing expectations. Exports rose 14 per cent to R104.7bn on a month-on-month basis, driven by a 49.1 per cent increase in precious metals and stones and a 10.4 per cent increase in mineral products exports. Imports were down 6.6 per cent to R86bn, the South African Revenue Service [...]
South African competition watchdog waves through AB InBev-SABMiller Megabrew deal June 30, 2016 The South African antitrust authority has approved Anheuser-Busch InBev's proposed takeover of British drinks giant SABMiller. AB InBev said the green flag from the country's competition tribunal put it "well on track" to close the £71bn deal in the second half of 2016. SABMiller is a big employer in South Africa, which has now become the 16th [...]
Bookies latest odds: Theresa May is the favourite for the Conservative leadership race after Boris Johnson’s withdrawal June 30, 2016 Theresa May is still the bookies' firm favourite to become the next permanent leader of the Conservative Party, following Boris Johnson's withdrawal from the leadership race this lunchtime. May is in the lead with shortened odds of 4/7 according to Ladbrokes, while Michael Gove is punters' second favourite at odds of 11/4. This morning May's [...]
EU Commission competition authority launches investigation into AB InBev’s “Belgian beer market practices” June 30, 2016 The European Commission competition regulator has opened an investigation into whether Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has abused its position in the Belgian beer market. The investigation, launched on the antitrust authority's own initiative, will decide whether AB InBev has used its "dominant" role on the Belgian drinks market to hinder imports of its beer from neighbouring countries, such [...]
Divided Britain: Most people still identify as working class and believe social mobility has worsened June 30, 2016 Britain really is the nation of the white van man – at least if you let people describe themselves. Most Britons still identify as working class even though only a quarter of the population are in working class occupations, according to the annual British Social Attitudes Survey. Six in ten respondents to the annual survey described [...]
More than 10,000 people have joined the Liberal Democrats since the EU referendum June 30, 2016 At this stage, the Liberal Democrats may be the only party to be doing well out of last week's Brexit vote. More than 10,000 people have signed up to join the Lib Dems since the EU referendum result was announced last Friday, at a rate of more than one per minute. Leader Tim Farron was quick to [...]
Get the candles ready: It’s the credit card’s 50th birthday since its introduction to the UK by Barclaycard June 29, 2016 A birthday card and a very large bunch of candles are due today for the credit card, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of being introduced to the UK's wallets by Barclaycard. On 29 June 1966, Barclaycard launched the first credit card with a six-page business strategy, an investment of £20,000 and 30 employees in Northampton. [...]
Tesco is opening a pop-up wine bar in Soho on Wardour Street this summer June 29, 2016 It might not be what you'd normally expect from a visit to Tesco, but this summer for the first time you will be able to visit the supermarket giant's first pop-up wine bar nestled in the heart of Soho. The finest* wine bar, tied into the grocer's Tesco Finest* range, will be open from 2 [...]
Does the acquisition of Harris and Hoole from Tesco mean Caffe Nero is entering a new era? June 29, 2016 Last week's announcement that Caffe Nero has acquired in-supermarket coffee chain Harris and Hoole from Tesco sent a strong signal that the brand is committed to modernisation. This is vital in a market where casual dining brands have to fight huge levels of competition and a fast-moving, fickle audience base that will often be swayed by promotions and [...]
