Many UK businesses face a perfect storm, as uncertainty over a potential Brexit, a slowdown in China and the introduction of National Living Wage looms March 29, 2016 It's not just the bank holiday's miserable weather that looked bleak, with many of the country's key employers predicting grey skies ahead as a perfect storm of economic uncertainty brews. According to a report out today by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and PwC, optimism among financial services firms is falling at its fastest pace [...]
Missguided website crash: 50pc off sales causes technical problems for online retailer and leaves customers unable to complete orders March 14, 2016 The website of online retailer Missguided has suffered technical problems after announcing a sale leaving many of its customers unable to complete orders. An offer for 50 per cent off appears to have left the retailer, which counts Asos and Boohoo.com among its rivals, struggling to cope. Shoppers turned to Twitter to express their disappointment and frustration [...]
Forget the Six Nations and switch on Super Rugby if you want real entertainment February 27, 2016 A number of rugby union’s elite performers, including former world players of the year, World Cup winners and European Cup winners, are in action this weekend for a competition rarely rivalled for its consistent quality. Elsewhere, the Six Nations resumes. But for fans of running rugby, tries and impressive hand skills, Super Rugby is the [...]
The Gulf can cope with low oil prices, says IMF’s Christine Lagarde February 22, 2016 The International Monetary Fund is confident that the Gulf economies can adjust to cope with a sustained period of low oil prices, Christine Lagarde said today. The IMF managing director – who was awarded a second term in the role on Friday – said oil producers would have to tighten their purse strings as prices are [...]
European grocery prices rise at slowest pace in five years February 18, 2016 The price of everyday products sold across Europe is rising at its slowest pace in well over five years as fierce competition among the grocers rages on, according to the latest data by research giant Nielsen. The data firm said that sales volumes of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), such as soft drinks, toiletries and food, rose by 0.8 per [...]
Forget Uber, take a flying water taxi home on Friday nights instead – as French inventor Alain Thebault shows off his SeaBubble February 16, 2016 Forget the ongoing battles between London’s traditional black cabs and Uber – if a French inventor has his way, flying water taxis could soon be hovering over the Thames. Boris Johnson is apparently among a group which has contacted the inventor, Alain Thebault, to ask about his new lightweight “SeaBubble” vehicle. The SeaBubble, described as “a bubble with [...]
New Look third quarter sales jump as menswear stores prove a hit with shoppers February 9, 2016 New Look has shrugged off a tough Christmas trading period to post a jump in sales over the quarter, boosted by its website and the expansion of its new menswear standalone stores. The fashion retailer said revenue grew by 5.6 per cent in the three months to 26 December, taking revenues to £1.18bn for the year to date. Pre-tax profits rose by 38.9 per cent to £87.9m. [...]
Valentine’s Day 2016: Forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday – today’s the day for peak online hunting for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift February 8, 2016 If your colleagues' computer screens have taken on a pink and red hue, don't fire off a concerned email to IT. They're probably just on the hunt for a gift for their significant other as Valentine's Day looms. According to an analysis of Google Trends data released today by the Post Office, the Monday before Valentine's Day [...]
High street sales bounce back in January – but only in first two weeks as shoppers go bargain hunting February 5, 2016 High street sales bounced back in January after a disappointing Christmas when sales recorded their worst performance for December since 2008. Like-for-like sales grew by 1.4 per cent year-on-year sales in January, mainly driven by a strong performance in the first two weeks when consumers shopping the sales came out in force, according to BDO’s high street [...]
Dixons Carphone share price falls despite beating expectations for Christmas, as its warns on full year currency impact January 26, 2016 Dixons Carphone announced a five per cent increase in group sales over the Christmas period this morning, beating expectations. Like for like sales in the UK and Ireland were up five per cent for the 10 weeks ending 9 January. This beat consensus expectations of a four per cent rise. Last year the group's UK sales [...]