Car review: The Volvo XC90 is still one of the best March 23, 2015 Around 15 years ago Volvo hit the jackpot with its first full-size premium SUV, prompting a stampede of “active” families to dealerships seeking seven seats, upmarket looks and a lofty driving position. The XC90 combined thoughtful detailing with the usual Volvo attributes of rock solid build and impeccable safety. It sold so well that the [...]
Tesco share price rises as Richard Cousins and Mikael Ohlsson join board October 6, 2014 Tesco brought some relief to its unhappy investors yesterday after announcing that it had beefed up its board by hiring the chief executive of catering giant Compass and the former boss of Ikea. The embattled retailer said Richard Cousins, a turnaround specialist who had led Compass since 2006, and Mikael Ohlsson, who was chief [...]
Eastern promise: Keys to investing in Asian markets February 17, 2015 Emerging Asia was one of the best performing regions in the five years leading up to the financial crisis, delivering a 20 per cent return per year in sterling terms. And despite the fact that, over the past two years, the region has underperformed developed markets, it remains a favourite place for UK investors to [...]
After tourist gets trapped in Waterstones, Airbnb teams up to offer a night’s stay in Piccadilly store October 21, 2014 When the story of David Willis, the man who was stuck in a Waterstones store at night, emerged last week, team Airbnb smelled an opportunity. Why not offer a night’s stay in the store? Luckily Waterstones’ retail director Rik McShane agreed. “Amidst the story were a great many messages from people exclaiming how much they [...]
Airplane-bnb: KLM takes Airbnb’s sharing economy to a luxury jet November 13, 2014 ental app Airbnb has teamed up KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to offer tech-savvy travellers the chance to stay in what Airbnb call a “pimped out” jet. For anyone looking to take up the offer, they need not fear landings or takeoff as the plane will remain grounded at Amsterdam's biggest air traffic hub. The "pimped [...]
Tesco board to lose two members as chief exec Dave Lewis continues to rebuild October 12, 2014 Tesco is said to be losing two of its most senior executives, as the beleaguered supermarket looks to rebuild from the shock revelation of a £250m profit overstatement last month. Company secretary Jonathan Lloyd is reported to have resigned, while the chairman of the audit committee Ken Hanna is said to be stepping down [...]
Swiss voters reject plans to hoard gold, curb immigration and scrap rich expats’ tax benefits November 30, 2014 Swiss voters have rejected proposals requiring the central bank to to hoard huge amounts of gold, in a move that will help ensure the country's economic stability. It failed to secure the so-called "cantonal majority" — which is a yes vote from most of the country's "cantons" or states — needed to pass, according to [...]
Tesco share price rises on board announcements October 6, 2014 Tesco's share price rose this morning after the troubled supermarket revealed it was bolstering its senior team. The retail giant, whose share price had fallen 52 per cent this year by the end of Friday's trading, has added two new non-executive members to its board, including former chief executive and president of Ikea Group Mikael Ohlsson. The [...]
Ikea sees record profit and grabs market share January 28, 2014 SWEDISH furniture giant Ikea said rising consumer spending in many of its key markets had helped it achieve record profits last year and increase its market share. The world’s largest furniture chain said profits rose by 3.1 per cent to €3.3bn (£2.7bn) in the year to 31 August 2013, driven by strong growth in China [...]
Banks lead the pack as FTSE bounces back – London Report October 6, 2014 GAINS in major bank stocks led Britain’s benchmark equity index higher yesterday, and troubled supermarket group Tesco rose after new board appointments. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index, which fell to its lowest closing level in nearly a year last week, closed up by 0.6 per cent, or 35.74 points, at 6,563.65 points. Among the financials, [...]