Online sales tax would ‘kneecap’ small retailers, startups warn March 2, 2021 The introduction of a new online sales tax would “kneecap” retailers and have a disproportionate impact on smaller businesses, UK startups have warned. In his Budget tomorrow, chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to launch a consultation on new levies targeting online retailers such as Amazon and Asos that have seen their profits soar during the [...]
Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital continues growth as profit jumps March 25, 2021 Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital saw its profit jump by a fifth last year as the digital ad group continues its aggressive growth strategy. S4 Capital posted a 19.4 per cent rise in gross profit to £295m in 2020, while revenue rose 15 per cent to £343m. The marketing group, which has major contracts with [...]
Spotify paid subscribers hit 155m on lockdown listening boom February 3, 2021 Spotify today reported a sharp increase in subscribers in the fourth quarter as the pandemic drove demand for music and podcasts, but warned of uncertainty in the year ahead. The Swedish streaming giant said paid users hit 155m in the final three months of the year, while revenue grew 17 per cent to €2.2bn (£1.9bn). [...]
Virgin Galactic’s shares rocket as Branson completes first fully crewed space flight July 12, 2021 Virgin Galactic’s shares jumped this morning after it successfully completed its first fully crewed space flight yesterday, with billionaire founder Sir Richard Branson on board. While Branson didn’t make it to the moon, Virgin Galactic’s shares might. The New Mexico-based company’s stock jumped as much as 22 per cent premarket this morning. Virgin Galactic’s shares [...]
Gamestops? Shares plunge more than 50 per cent as Reddit rally retreats February 2, 2021 Reddit day traders’ hold on the market seemed to be running out of steam on Tuesday as the price of silver stalled and Gamestop shares plunged more than 50 per cent on the open. Gamestop has dominated the headlines in the past week after r/wallstreetbets took the fight to Wall Street’s hedge funds. The bricks-and-mortar [...]
Deliveroo launches Eat In to Help Out discount for September August 27, 2020 Deliveroo has launched an Eat In to Help Out offer for September as the government’s dine-in discount scheme comes to an end this month. The food delivery firm will offer customers £5 off orders on Monday to Wednesday next month in a bid to support local restaurants. Deliveroo will fund the discount for the more [...]
Oatly has climbed to the top of the legion of alternative milks. Can it keep up the momentum? May 29, 2021 Oatly shares soared in its stock market debut last Wednesday and the alternative-milk giant was valued at a staggering $13bn, after its sales doubled in 2020 to $421m. The Swedish brand benefits from being born green; with dairy alternatives measurably better for the planet and far better tasting than a decade ago. Climate change concern and the [...]
Twitter, Uber and Disney: What to expect in the latest round of tech earnings February 9, 2021 Twitter, Uber and Disney will all be under the spotlight as they report fourth-quarter earnings this week. Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google (known as the FAANGs) all closed the year with bumper results as the tech titans continued to cash in on the pandemic. But it will be a more complicated picture for Twitter, [...]
Rishi Sunak: Wealthy will be spared from post-pandemic tax raid May 5, 2021 Wealthy families will escape a post-pandemic tax raid earmarked to boost the economy, Rishi Sunak has suggested, as the chancellor praised Britain’s already “very progressive tax system”. Sunak said yesterday that he is “cautiously optimistic” about an upswing in economic growth, as Brits prepare to spare pent-up cash alongside the relaxing of lockdown restrictions. Speaking [...]
CMA’s review of market concentration in the pandemic January 18, 2021 In April 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) cleared Amazon’s £450million investment into Deliveroo, heeding (and ultimately accepting) warnings from the parties that, absent the investment, Deliveroo would ultimately have to exit the market. Particularly so in the light of the impact of the government imposed lockdown and shuttering of restaurants. It is tempting [...]