NetPlay boosted by signups October 10, 2012 Interactive gambling company NetPlay said a surge in new customers had led to a 34 per cent rise in sales in the third quarter of the year. Aim-listed NetPlay, which operates a freeview gaming channel as well as a number of online operations, saw a 42 per cent increase in players year-on-year to 22,417. Sales [...]
WANdisco’s rise continues October 10, 2012 Bookings for British software firm WANdisco have risen 86 per cent this year, continuing the company’s impressive performance since its Aim float in June. In the first nine months of the year, the company has generated total bookings of $5.3m (£3.3m), and has attracted blue chip names such as Nokia Siemens Networks. The share price [...]
Samsung in new Apple challenge October 10, 2012 Samsung will release a smaller version of its popular Galaxy SIII flagship smartphone in Europe today, the head of Samsung’s mobile business said, raising competition against Apple’s new iPhone. The model will be in direct competition with the iPhone 5, which was unveiled in early September and boasts a bigger, four-inch screen than its earlier [...]
Bonkers for bankers? All in favour say Aye October 10, 2012 “LONDON should love its bankers” was the motion debated at the Royal Geographical Society on Tuesday evening. Over 700 City folk, plus literary man Sebastian Faulks, headed west to Kensington to hear the Ayes and the Nays have it out. Speaking for the motion were Anthony Fry, chairman of Espirito Santo, and ex-Goldman bigwig Jennifer [...]
Wallace Collection attracts an Old Timer and Sir John Ritblat October 10, 2012 CITY skiing enthusiasts who have navigated the starry slopes of St Moritz are likely to recognise the vintage Old Timer – the car pictured above, that is – that rolled up to a birthday party at the Wallace Collection earlier this week. Guests at the gallery on Manchester Square had gathered to celebrate the 100th [...]
Thorntons pins hopes on Xmas as its sales melt October 10, 2012 HIGH STREET chocolatier Thorntons is banking on a much-needed Christmas boost to its turnaround strategy, as store closures led to a decline in sales over the past year. In the fourteen weeks to 6 October trading was in line with expectations, with total sales falling by one per cent year-on-year to £46m, hit by the [...]
Supreme Court rules in favour of London property aristocrats October 10, 2012 THE SUPREME Court yesterday ruled in favour of a controversial appeal by two London landlords, protecting their estates against a loophole that would have allowed commercial tenants the right to buy freeholds to properties that were once houses. The landmark ruling draws a line under a long-running battle by the Day Estate, which owns swathes [...]
SAB Miller speeds up move into Africa’s low-cost beer market October 10, 2012 SAB MILLER yesterday said it has expanded its Chibuku beer brand, into ten countries across Africa as it increases its hold on the low-cost market traditionally served by “informal” home brew drinkers. The beer giant has invested around $16m into expanding the production of the cheap low-alcohol beer over the past 18 months, in a [...]
Three bids are on the table for Rabobank arm October 10, 2012 DUTCH bank Rabobank is weighing three offers for its asset management arm Robeco, facing a choice between bids to split the €2bn-plus (£1.6bn) business or sell it in one piece, people familiar with the situation said. The Netherlands’ largest retail bank received bids from a private equity consortium of Advent International and CVC, and from [...]
Smythson steps up expansion with a new Sloane Street store October 10, 2012 SMYTHSON, the upmarket stationer and leather goods retailer where Samantha Cameron is a creative consultant, is set to open a large flagship store in Sloane Street as part of its ambitious expansion plans. The group currently leases a smaller store at Sloane Street, which its landlord the Cadogan Estate plans to redevelop. Smythson has signed [...]
