EU follows UK lead and considers plans to test bank defences against a cyber attack January 23, 2017 The EU is contemplating plans to test banks' ability to repel cyber attacks in an initiative that would mirror measures already put in place by the Bank of England. Cyber and technological-enabled attacks have been on the Bank of England's radar since 2013 with 30 out of 35 "core firms" having completed the UK's cyber stress testing [...]
Premier Foods warns on profits (but at least mince pie sales are up) January 18, 2017 Premier Foods has not made an exceedingly good start to 2017 – its shares dived today after it warned on profits. The figures The food manufacturer, whose brands range from Bisto to Mr Kipling and 80s stalwart Angel Delight, said sales in its third quarter were down one per cent at £251.4m, despite a strong December. Branded sales [...]
Volkswagen shares crash in line with brand woe January 18, 2017 With consumer-facing companies that rely heavily on a single brand there is often a strong relationship between public perception of that brand as measured daily by BrandIndex, and the company’s share price. An example of this is Volkswagen and its emissions scandal where the fundamental driver of the decline in its share price was a [...]
Popcorn group Propercorn snaffles up £7m investment to help with UK and overseas expansion January 16, 2017 Gourmet popcorn company Propercorn has snaffled a £7m investment from JamJar Investments and Piper Private Equity. The fast-growing popcorn brand, founded in 2011 by Cassandra Stavrou and Ryan Kohn, will use the cash injection to support its plans for growth in the UK and overseas. Propercorn was advised on the investment by London law firm [...]
Microwave meal maker Bakkavor set for London float January 15, 2017 Ready meal maker Bakkavor is considering a float on the London stock market, according to reports. The firm, founded in 1986, manufactures microwave meals for supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Marks and Spencer. The company also supplies fresh goods such as lettuce, tomatoes and sweet potatoes. According to the Sunday Times, Bakkavor has enlisted Rothschild to [...]
Torrential rain in Spain means spinach shortage and blow to Popeye wannabees January 13, 2017 New Year gym-goers aiming to build up a Popeye-like physique have been dealt a major blow. Torrential rain in Spain has damaged this winter’s spinach crop, and supermarkets are struggling to feed consumer demand. Read more: Manufacturing giant Premier Foods considers price rises due to Brexit vote Waitrose supermarkets, for instance, have signs warning shoppers [...]
Britons face more price hikes with Sky next to increase costs January 13, 2017 Sky has jumped on the bandwagon of companies hiking prices, with line rental charges set to increase from 1 March. The news comes just days after free-to-air competitor Freesat pointed out that since 2010 the cost of Sky TV had risen at four times the rate of inflation and twice the pace rail fares have increased. [...]
Londis and Budgens owner Booker Group beats expectations with its sales January 12, 2017 Wholesaler Booker Group's share price rose in trading today after the company reported a rise in sales. In the four months to 30 December, Booker Group's non-tobacco like-for-like sales increased 5.1 per cent, far ahead of analysts' expectations of between zero per cent and 0.5 per cent. Total non tobacco sales increased 4.8 per cent. [...]
Amazon promises to help plug the UK’s digital skills gap with training for young people and ex-military personnel January 12, 2017 Amazon is launching a new scheme to help plug Britain's digital skills gap, offering free training to young people and ex-military personnel. Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing arm of the web giant which powers businesses such as Transport for London and Zoopla, is launching AWS re:Start to help get 1,000 more people skilled in digital [...]
Winners and losers from retail’s “Super Thursday” January 12, 2017 So many retailers decided to update the market on trading today that Shore Capital analysts published a note to complain about it. But as the morning has progressed, clear winners and losers have emerged from the data deluge. Here are our picks: Winners JD Sports put its gymwear rival Sports Direct to shame today as it scored [...]