Network Rail reveals huge growth in retail sales at London’s railway stations November 25, 2016 Retail sales at London's railway stations have grown at a titanic 17 times the high-street average, despite the number of passengers visiting them remaining the same. Sales during the three months since Britain's vote to leave the EU grew at 3.7 per cent across Network Rail's 10 London stations. This compares with high-street growth of just [...]
Looking for deals on flights? Here are some of the best deals for Black Friday from British Airways and Ryanair November 25, 2016 Forget snapping up a heavily discounted perfume you've never actually tried. It's not just the big retailers getting involved in Black Friday with deals. And some of the biggest airlines have a range of offers lined up for Black Friday, so if you're feeling fed up of the wind and the cold and are looking to [...]
Editor’s notes: Still in shock over Brexit? Get a grip November 25, 2016 Some corners of our national life are finding it harder to adapt to the new post-referendum reality than others. Earlier this week I joined the cream of the British commentariat at the annual Comment Awards, celebrating the best columns and comment pieces of 2016. As you know, we have a stable of excellent columnists here [...]
Early-stage businesses could rake in £25bn next year from retail investors, who want more risk and higher returns November 25, 2016 Early-stage companies could be raking in a combined £25bn from individual investors in 2017, a new report has estimated. Retail investors are planning to take more risks next year and may be looking to early-stage companies for higher returns, according to an analysis of the sentiment and expectations of 1,000 retail investors by crowdfunding platform SyndicateRoom. [...]
The City will remain at the vanguard of financial innovation post-Brexit November 24, 2016 A year ago, London Stock Exchange celebrated the first Green Bond from China to be listed internationally, a landmark renminbi and dollar issuance by the Agricultural Bank of China. I wrote here at the time how London was leading the world in financing the global shift to a low carbon economy – a transition endorsed [...]
City Moves for 24 November 2016 | Who’s switching jobs November 24, 2016 AEW AEW has appointed Hans Vrensen as European head of research and strategy. Hans, who will be based in London and oversee teams in London and Paris, will report to Rob Wilkinson, CEO of AEW Europe and will work closely with AEW’s global platform. Hans’ responsibilities at AEW will include advising the investment and asset management [...]
Here’s how the Autumn Statement will affect your local pub November 23, 2016 Without mentioning the pub industry directly, the Autumn Statement laid out a handful of policies that will affect the sector. Here are the industry's top concerns. Increasing the National Living Wage will hurt pubs Wages for over-25s will rise 30p to £7.50 per hour in April 2017, and the rates of National Minimum Wages will increase as [...]
Back in fashion? Austin Reed is braving a return to the high street months after collapse November 23, 2016 We only just heard the news that the UK high street was losing another retail name in office chain Staples, but Austin Reed wants to buck the trend with a return to bricks-and-mortar. The menswear retailer is coming back to the high street as part of a £100m three-year revival plan, according to the owner [...]
The National Living Wage increase fell short of expectations, moving up only 30p to £7.50 in April 2017 November 23, 2016 The National Living Wage fell short of forecasted expectations. The rate will rise 30p to £7.50 in April 2017, but experts predicted it would rise to £7.60. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the four per cent increase to wages for over-25s in his Autumn Statement Wednesday. This equals an increase of £500 a year to over a million full-time workers, Hammond said. [...]
Autumn Statement TL;DR? Here’s our at-a-glance guide November 23, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond spoke for around an hour while delivering today's Autumn Statement. If you don't have time for that, here's our at-a-glance overview of the announcements you need to know: Economics, public spending and politics The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast for growth increased to 2.1 per cent, up from two per cent, for 2016, but [...]