Best Buy’s share price has jumped ahead of the opening bell August 23, 2016 Shares in the largest US consumer electronics retailer Best Buy have leapt ahead of the opening bell in New York after posting a rare rise in sales. An hour ahead of the open the company's shares were 16 per cent higher at $38.18 in pre-market trading. The boost to shares came from an up-tick in forecasts for the third [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open August 23, 2016 The sun is shining in London, the FTSE 100 is higher, and across the pond markets look set for a rise on the opening bell. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm London time. US futures are pointing higher ahead of the open. The S&P is up by 0.24 per cent, [...]
Supermarket sales creep upwards as grocers benefit from the summer sun August 23, 2016 Grocery sales edged up this summer as sunny weather encouraged shoppers to spend. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel, supermarket sales increased by 0.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 14 August – the fastest growth in the grocery market since March this year. There is no evidence yet to suggest the Brexit vote [...]
Weak pound prompts overseas spending spree in UK August 23, 2016 Tourists are hitting the UK's shops like never before as they cash in on a weak pound to snap up British goods at knock-down prices, new payment data has revealed. Card payment giant WorldPay said today spending from foreign cards at UK stores has jumped by 12.4 per cent since the referendum. The climb mirrors the 14 per cent [...]
The mobile payments battle just intensified in the UK August 23, 2016 iZettle is likely a familiar sight if you frequent small coffee shops or market stalls across the capital. The tiny card reading machine has sprung up across the UK, making it easier for shops to offer customers the option of paying by card without having to invest in the pricey systems offered by the big tech companies. [...]
City Moves for 22 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 22, 2016 Falcon Technologies International Optical Media storage specialist Falcon Technologies International has appointed Michael Gutowski as chief executive officer. Michael brings on board over 20 years of experience in the optical media industry, including having been CEO of Infodisc Technology in Europe and developing the firm into one of the leading players in the region. In addition to his executive [...]
Britons abroad have had an expensive summer – here’s how much the nation overspent due to the Brexit vote August 21, 2016 Britons on holiday abroad have overspent to the tune of roughly £500m this summer due to the fall in the value of sterling. Recent retail sales figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed Britons spent more than expected after the EU referendum – but retail strategist Richard Hyman said "when the suntan starts to fade, they will [...]
JD Sports plans takeover of rival retailer Go Outdoors as Sports Direct flounders August 21, 2016 High street retailer JD Sports Fashion is exploring a takeover of Go Outdoors in a bid to expand its dominance in fitness clothing. According to Sky News, JD Sports is one of several bidders looking to make an offer for Go Outdoors, which is being sold in an auction run by KPMG. JD Sports – which [...]
Recession risks fade on upbeat post-referendum data August 21, 2016 Economists believe the chances of the UK economy slipping into a post-referendum recession have slipped, following a steady stream of upbeat economic data. Figures out early last week, compiled before a raft of bumper employment and retail sales statistics had been released, showed the consensus estimate for the UK economy was a 1.6 per cent [...]
Sterling slides as nervy traders cash in August 19, 2016 The pound has tumbled against both the dollar and the euro this afternoon, dampening an otherwise strong week for the currency. After strong post-referendum inflation and retail sales figures had put some steam behind sterling on Wednesday and Thursday, traders started to reassess the dizzying heights of $1.31 and €1.16. Against the US dollar, the pound lost [...]