Discount retail firm B&M gets ready to float May 18, 2014 DISCOUNT retailer B&M is readying a stock market debut that values the firm at more than £2bn, in a move which could be announced as early as this week. The Liverpool-based company would follow discounting rival Poundland, which raised £375m on its entry into the London market back in March. B&M, which has grown from [...]
Opec’s monthly oil output at its highest in nearly three years June 11, 2015 Oil supply from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) continued to edge upwards in May, hitting its highest rate since August 2012. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly report that Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates pumped at record monthly rates, keeping output at more than 1m barrels per [...]
It’s official – eating processed meat is a major cause of cancer, and it could spell trouble ahead for Britain’s farming industry October 26, 2015 Eating processed meat is a major cause of cancer in humans, according to the results of an investigation by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The study, carried out by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), found that for every 50g portion of processed meat eaten daily, the risk of bowel cancer increases by [...]
Play your own Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland November 6, 2015 Thronies, as they call themselves, have known for an age that the city of Belfast, and Northern Ireland in general, is the place to spot Game of Thrones film locations. Now even casual viewers (and readers) are following in the footsteps of the mythological characters, with popularity soaring for these epic, windswept landscapes. Based on [...]
How the Jaguar F-Type bagged us an invite to party with Kendall Jenner February 3, 2016 There are four bungalows situated behind the high walls of the notorious Chateau Marmont, each one the location of countless rock n’ roll parties. Mine has a particularly macabre claim to fame; the master bedroom was where comedy icon John Belushi checked out permanently. It’s a modernist LA pad, with floor-to-ceiling windows, whitewashed brick walls, [...]
Oil price drops to three-month low on worries over Eurozone July 6, 2015 Oil prices fell below $60 a barrel yesterday, as the shockwaves from the Greek “no” vote pushed prices further down. Yesterday marked the first time since April that internationally traded Brent crude fell so low, at one point dipping to as little as $56.50 a barrel. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was also trading at [...]
Japan out to prove slaying of South Africa was no Rugby World Cup fluke, says coach Eddie Jones September 22, 2015 Japan coach Eddie Jones insists his side need to dispatch Scotland in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Gloucester to prove they are not one-hit wonders after toppling two-time winners South Africa. The Brave Blossoms rocked the tournament by overcoming the Springboks 34-32 in Brighton on Saturday, a result dubbed the biggest shock [...]
Kingfisher sells off B&Q business in China for £140m December 22, 2014 Kingfisher has agreed to sell a controlling stake in its Chinese B&Q business to Wumei Holdings for £140m. The retail group had been looking for a “strategic partner” for its business in China in order to focus on the larger and more lucrative European market said newly installed Kingfisher chief Véronique Laury. B&Q first opened [...]
Doddle’s Tim Robinson talks 2016, the future of shopping and why he’s looking for a new partner January 18, 2016 Have you used Doddle? If you have, then you’ll either have done so once or 13 times, Tim Robinson, chief executive of the parcel collect and send service tells me. Founded in the autumn of 2014, Doddle has done rather well so far. Over its 2015 peak trading period (the run-up to Christmas), it saw [...]
Pearson sells stake in The Economist Group for £469m August 12, 2015 Pearson has agreed to sell its 50 per cent stake in The Economist Group for £469m just weeks after offloading the Financial Times. Italian investment group Exor take on 27.8 per cent of The Economist's ordinary shares for £227.5m and all of the B special shares for £59.5m. Pearson's remaining ordinary shares will be [...]