FTSE 100 breaks 6,000 barrier as vaccine hopes and Fed pledge boost markets May 18, 2020 The FTSE 100 broke through the 6,000-point milestone in a positive start to the week’s trading today, buoyed by hopes of a vaccine and more Federal Reserve stimulus. Easing lockdowns and lower infection rates in Europe infection hotspots Italy, the UK and Spain also boosted London’s blue-chip index. The FTSE 100 closed 4.5 per cent [...]
Embattled retailer Ted Baker appoints new finance chief May 18, 2020 Fashion retailer Ted Baker has appointed former HMV finance boss David Wolffe as its chief financial officer. Wolffe, who previously held senior roles at ITV Studios, AOL Europe and BBC Magazines, was hired as Ted Baker’s interim finance chief in January. The retailer has struggled over the past year, with a string of profit warnings [...]
The City View: Darwinism and disruption in the tech sector, with Russ Shaw of Tech London Advocates May 18, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates and one of the most well-connected and influential people in the UK’s tech sector. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Russ offers a candid analysis of the state of the sector and explains why not all start-ups will survive the pandemic, and why not [...]
Shoppers begin ‘cautious’ return to stores as lockdown measures eased May 18, 2020 Footfall at the UK’s retail destinations increased by a modest 3.3 per cent in the first week since lockdown measures were lifted, as Brits began taking tentative steps out of their homes. According to retail intelligence analysts Springboard, last week’s increase was the fourth in six weeks, although it was considerably smaller than that recorded [...]
The City View podcast: Why coronavirus is making the case for e-scooters May 15, 2020 London’s Olympic site now hosts a vast innovation campus, Here East, home to over 4,000 people working in technology, advanced manufacturing, transport and the creative industries. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS It was a thriving, buzzing village but the lockdown has emptied its streets. CEO Gavin Poole talks about how they’re helping tenants and [...]
FTSE 100 rises but US stocks stall after dire retail sales data May 15, 2020 US stocks have fallen in the wake of dire retail sales data, even as the FTSE 100 has risen on the final day of a choppy week of trading that has seen investors second-guess the recent stock market rally. The UK’s FTSE 100 index was up 1.5 per cent this afternoon at 5,785 points in [...]
Square Mile lockdown: City firms plot staff’s return to work May 14, 2020 City banks and professional services firms are drawing up plans to send staff back to the office as the UK begins to ease its coronavirus lockdown. Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that people who can work from home should continue to do so, as he laid out guidance to make workplaces “Covid-secure”. [...]
Forget FOMO: Businesses need to fight Brits’ FOGO May 14, 2020 “Remember pubs?” my friends and I joke over Zoom. We’ve all dreamt about ‘getting back to normal’ after COVID-19; bars, screen-free meetups, a cup of tea somewhere other than our living rooms. But as lockdown lifts, the reality of this freedom – this closeness to others – can feel frightening. The University of Cambridge actually [...]
Marks & Spencer to reopen 49 cafes as UK lockdown eases May 13, 2020 Marks & Spencer (M&S) will reopen cafes across the UK with social distancing measures in place from tomorrow, as the country gradually starts to ease the coronavirus lockdown. The retailer said 49 cafes will be open to sell takeaway hot drinks following a successful trial at five locations, allowing customers to buy coffee while doing [...]
Only 10 per cent of office space in use during lockdown, says Landsec May 12, 2020 Property landlord Landsec said only 10 per cent of its office space is currently being used as most employees are working from home during the coronavirus crisis. The property company, which this morning revealed a £1.2bn hit to the value of its portfolio, said the office sector had seen a “less pronounced immediate impact” compared [...]