Economists nervous as consumer spending continues to fuel UK GDP growth November 23, 2017 A strong increase in consumer spending drove UK GDP growth in the third quarter, but economists warned the British economy’s reliance on consumption will not last. Consumer spending grew by 0.6 per cent in the three months to September as GDP expanded by 0.4 per cent, according to more detailed estimates of economic activity from [...]
The Waitrose Christmas advert is here: Move over Buster, there’s a plucky little Robin giving you all the feels November 13, 2016 The bouncing boxer dog of the John Lewis Christmas advert has a rival: a tiny Robin braving wild weather and perilous predators to return to a young girl's festive home. The Waitrose Christmas advert has been revealed, and while never quite matching up to the much-hyped John Lewis one before, this year that might just change with its [...]
After the hype, this year’s retail extravaganza of Black Friday was a short-lived frenzy November 27, 2017 Just three years ago Black Friday became synonymous with images of customers fighting over heavily discounted goods. The ugly scenes accompanied reports of police and ambulance services being called to stores across the UK, with several people injured in the melees. Fast forward to 2017 and the madness turned to mirth over the weekend as [...]
Christmas strikes 2016: From Southern rail to British Airways, why’s everyone striking? December 19, 2016 A raft of Christmas strikes is set to unfold this week, with travel particularly affected. Around 3,000 staff at various Crown post offices are set to walk out today, Tuesday and Saturday, while members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union unleash their latest industrial action on Southern rail today and tomorrow, with an ongoing [...]
Don’t want to cook? Left booking late? Try these excellent London options for Christmas dinner December 6, 2016 Rivea Knightsbridge, SW7, £105pp, rivealondon.com Toast Christ’s birth in the glittering basement of the Bulgari Hotel, where executive chef Alexandre Nicolas has created a traditional menu with decadent twists. Scottish salmon gravlax and a pear and chestnut yule log rub shoulders with more unusual delicacies, such as a foie gras terrine with muscat grape gelee [...]
Businesses issue Theresa May with Brexit ultimatum, warning they’re “extremely concerned” about progress so far November 13, 2017 Business groups have told Theresa May progress must be made in Brexit talks ahead of the critical European Council meeting next month, saying they are “extremely concerned” about what’s been achieved so far. The Prime Minister met with groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Institute of Directors (IoD), as well as [...]
One month after the Mifid II tsunami, the City is keeping its head above water February 2, 2018 This Saturday, City workers will be able to celebrate surviving through one month of a dreaded new regulatory environment. Bankers, traders and fund managers were welcomed back from the Christmas break – if they were lucky enough to have one – by the second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, or Mifid II, touted as the [...]
Forget carol singing and church: Telly is our new Christmas tradition with the average Briton watching five hours of television on Christmas Day December 16, 2015 Ah, Christmas. ‘Tis the season to be… stuck in front of the box? Yes, it seems that one of the most prominent features of a traditional British Christmas is no longer carol singing or going to church. It’s watching television. Families are set to spend an eye-watering average of nearly five hours in front of [...]
Last minute Christmas gifts: Now you can easily give bitcoin thanks to two British entrepreneurs December 21, 2017 Who isn’t running around looking for last minute stocking fillers at this time of year? That was the situation one entrepreneurial couple found themselves in when they decided upon bitcoin as the perfect present. But one problem Laurence Kemball-Cook and Louise Doherty stumbled upon was how difficult it is to buy for someone not entrenched [...]
Last Week in the City: Trump signs order for tariffs March 9, 2018 This week US President Donald Trump signed off on new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, Trinity Mirror revealed plans to rebrand, and the European Central Bank took a further step towards ending stimulus measures. The FTSE 100 rose 1.9 per cent over the week by mid-session on Friday. Economics China will pursue annual growth [...]