Lockdown books December 21, 2020 The aftermath of the global financial crash of 2008 uncovered some unpalatable facts. First, it showed how national governments were hellbent on bailing out the private banks with public money. At the same time the little man was totally ignored and left to his own devices; to sink or swim with the former being the [...]
Covid has led to classic auction boom says Car and Classic CEO Tom Wood December 21, 2020 We speak with Tom Wood, CEO of Car & Classic, about how the market has changed – and which cars have rocketed in value.
Identifying competitive advantage in international markets December 21, 2020 Today’s Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) operate in difficult circumstances. Economic globalisation, empowered consumers and constantly evolving technology makes competing with rivals even more challenging. Overseas expansion is one way SMEs are looking to increase market share. However, selling products and services in new markets brings a host of challenges to be overcome. One [...]
Naughty or nice: Which businesses pleased or peeved Santa in 2020? December 21, 2020 Which businesses stood out this year for going above and beyond for customers and staff, and which will be remembered less favourably for their pandemic policies? The last year has certainly been one that will not be forgotten. The last 12 months have been widely been touted “the worst ever” by people around the world, [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group withdraws income guidance on Tier 4 news December 21, 2020 Frasers Group has withdrawn its published guidance of a 20 per cent to 30 per cent underling improvement in EBITDA in the wake of the latest coronavirus restrictions. Due to the closure of almost all stores in London and the southeast during the year’s peak retail trading period, Frasers Group said it was withdrawing the [...]
Boohoo appoints new auditor following factory working conditions scandal December 21, 2020 Boohoo has appointed PKF Littlejohn as its auditor, after PwC quit earlier this year in the wake of allegations of poor factory conditions in the fashion group’s supply chain in Leicester. Deloitte, KPMG, BDO and Grant Thornton each ruled themselves out of the race to replace PwC, with PKF ultimately winning the bid. PKF will [...]
Arcadia empire begins to splinter as Aussies pick off Evans December 21, 2020 City Chic Collective, an Australian retail company, has picked up the Evans brand from stricken high street giant Arcadia. The antipodean firm has brought Evans’ brand and wholesale business, though UK stores are not part of the deal. The deal is thought to be worth around £23m. Read more: Where did it all go wrong [...]
Breaking up Christmas dinner ‘will not be a priority’, says senior police officer December 21, 2020 Eight people having Christmas dinner together will not be a priority for the police on Christmas Day, according to a senior police officer, despite those in Tier 4 being told not to mix at Christmas. Police Federation chair John Apter told Sky News there would not be extra police on shift during Christmas, and that [...]
FCA fines fall by half in 2020 as Covid takes hit on enforcement December 21, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority handed out £183.6m worth of fines this year, more than half the total bill in 2019. The number of fines has fallen too, from 21 to just ten. Lawyers believe the slowdown is due to the pandemic disrupting enforcement activities, not least the FCA’s ability to conduct witness and suspect interviews. [...]
US agrees $900bn Covid stimulus package December 21, 2020 Congressional leaders in the US have agreed a $900bn coronavirus stimulus package to help individuals and the economy affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The package would be the second-largest economic stimulus in US history, following a $2.3tn aid bill passed in March. It comes as the pandemic accelerates, infecting more than 214,000 people in the [...]
