Equity crowdfunding’s leading founders predict what’s in store for the sector in 2017 January 5, 2017 Equity crowdfunding will look even more grown up by Christmas 2017. More regulation is coming to the sector: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said it’ll consult this year on new rules, in a bid to improve protection for retail investors and increase transparency around financial promotions. Read more: The FCA is cracking down on [...]
Make 2017 a year of celebration – not the suffocation of London’s Night Time Economy January 5, 2017 We live in interesting times. This term, actually a Chinese curse, reflects all the hope, possibility and opportunity of a period – as well as the worst that we can imagine from it. What has been “interesting” recently is the overwhelming cultural and political view that the British public is a nasty species that requires [...]
We won’t close the gender pay gap in the City until we face up to the pressures of having a family January 5, 2017 The Resolution Foundation’s report yesterday on the gender pay gap shows progress for young women graduates, but makes for depressing reading for women approaching their 30s. The pay gap for women in their 30s and 40s has hardly changed in a generation. The report concludes that having children has a “sharp and long-lasting” effect on [...]
MS Dhoni quits as India one-day and Twenty20 captain just 11 days before England series January 4, 2017 India are set to have a new skipper for this month’s limited-overs contests against England after MS Dhoni relinquished his captaincy of the one-day and Twenty20 sides. Dhoni, 35, resigned after almost a decade of success at the helm in which he led India to an unprecedented hat-trick of World Twenty20, World Cup and ICC [...]
“Alexa, what’s an annuity?” Insurance company Aviva is using Amazon Echo January 4, 2017 "Alexa, what's an annuity?" Now your Amazon Echo can tell you the answer to burning questions about insurance and guide you through the unfamiliar jargon of the industry. The Insurance giant Aviva has developed a so-called skill (like an app for smartphones) for the voice activated speaker which proved a big hit for Amazon over Christmas. Read more: [...]
Nisa bags a nicer Christmas trading period January 4, 2017 Convenience store chain and wholesaler Nisa Retail bagged a sales boost in the lead-up to Christmas, with like-for-like sales increasing 2.2 per cent. Total sales grew 2.7 per cent in the 10 weeks to the 1 January, reaching £235.6m, as compared to £229.5m during the same period last year. Read more: Christmas come early: CMA [...]
Next’s shares tumble after company issues profit warning January 4, 2017 Next's shares have taken a hammering today after the retailer issued a profit warning. The retailer cut its profit forecast for 2017-18 to a range of £680m-£780m. Analysts had estimated the forecast would be £784m. Following the announcement, Next's share price tumbled by 12 per cent. Next's shares have now fallen nearly 50 per cent since [...]
John Lewis cashed in ahead of the subdued Christmas period January 4, 2017 John Lewis cashed in in the lead-up to Christmas, before families deserted festive shopping on the high street for feasting at the dinner table. For the week starting 19 December, the department store made sales totaling £175.6m. Christmas Day and Boxing Day – when most John Lewis shops are shut – took place during the comparative week in [...]
The UK’s construction sector just had its best month since March January 4, 2017 Output in the UK's construction sector showed a surprise jump in December – causing the industry to enjoy its best month since March. Markit's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector rose to 54.2 in December, up from 52.8 in the previous month – despite economists expecting the figure to be flat. Any number above [...]
B&M side-steps clouds gathering over retail stocks January 4, 2017 B&M has side-stepped the overall gloom surrounding retail stocks this morning, rising over seven per cent in morning trading after a strong trading update. Other retail stocks – including Marks and Spencer's, Debenhams' and Associated British Foods' – have taken a hit today after Next tumbled 11 per cent at the open. Read more: Next [...]