Supply chain risk up due to post-Brexit uncertainty November 7, 2016 Global supply chain risk grew for the fourth quarter in a row to its highest level since 2013 as a result of the Brexit vote, and increased trade restrictions around the world. Analysis by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and Dun & Bradstreet economists showed a "disintegration of the political consensus over globalisation" with [...]
Domino’s Pizza is trialling a canoe delivery service for those who live alongside rivers October 11, 2016 First, the new delivery trend was everything to come by bicycle, mirrored by the seemingly indomitable rise of Deliveroo (and recently re-adopted by Tesco). But now, takeaway giant Domino's will be pushing the boundaries of pizza distribution afresh with its new, (somewhat) intrepid river service that will deliver to customers living near one of the UK's many [...]
John Lewis hits out at Labour MP over Christmas jingle December 20, 2016 The John Lewis Partnership has hit out at a campaigning Labour MP after she produced a Christmas jingle criticising the retailer for how it treats its staff. Labour MPs, led by Siobhain McDonagh, recently recorded a song – titled "National Living Rage" – to highlight how retailers are cutting staff benefits in response to the national living wage. Read more: [...]
The City watchdog sets its sights on overdrafts and other high cost products, after its success with payday loans November 29, 2016 The City watchdog is taking a closer look at overdrafts and other high-cost credit products, following a crack down on payday loan price caps last year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today launched a consultation, calling for evidence and feedback, on products where it is concerned the cost to consumers might overweigh the benefits. Products [...]
Sterling malaise leads to Microsoft increasing enterprise prices October 24, 2016 The pound’s plunge means that software giant Microsoft will increase prices of enterprise software and cloud services from next year. Although consumers pricing will not be adjusted by Microsoft, the company revealed on one its own blog posts that from 1 January it will raise prices by 13 per cent to enterprises. Read more: Microsoft [...]
The fashion industry is on its steepest decline for seven years October 17, 2016 The fashion market is on its steepest decline for seven years, according to new data, with £700m wiped off the value of the UK market since last year. According to figures from Kantar Worldpanel, sales declined for the fourth month in a row in September as retailers continued to offer huge discounts to consumers. Kantar [...]
Theresa May kicks off bid to slash top dog pay November 27, 2016 The government will tomorrow launch its overhaul of executive pay as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to stamp her authority on City boardrooms despite warnings from business groups that she should not adopt an approach that is too hardline. After U-turning on her campaign pledge to put workers on boards, May will press ahead with [...]
Big Four fight back: Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco report rising sales after years of stagnation January 15, 2016 Tesco became the third supermarket to reveal better-than expected Christmas results yesterday, in the clearest sign yet that the industry is staging a successful fightback against German discounters Aldi and Lidl. The so-called big four – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons – have been battling to respond to changing shopping habits and reverse the tide [...]
Picks of the day: The three stories to read today October 13, 2016 It feels like the day is dragging, and you're probably running out of things to talk about with your colleagues, but there’s no need to fret. We’ve put together the most interesting stories people are talking about today in bite-sized form, just to make your life that bit easier. ‘Delay Repay 15’ Here’s some good [...]
Get your dollars for next summer now: Sterling could fall further if hard Brexit continues October 26, 2016 The pound may have already fallen to a 31-year low against the dollar but there is a risk it could continue to drop if concerns over the government's plans for Brexit carry on. New analysis from UBS suggested that if the economy begins to recover from the shock of Brexit, sterling could improve against the [...]