Top tech firms have formed a virtual reality supergroup December 8, 2016 Several of the biggest names in technology are joining forces to push forward innovation in the burgeoning world of virtual reality. Facebook, Google and Samsung are among the top tech companies to form the Global Virtual Reality Association (GVRA), tasked with promoting the global growth of the industry, which is expected to be worth $162bn by [...]
Entrepreneurs mad at Donald Trump should come to France, says Presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron February 5, 2017 French Presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron has reached out to entrepreneurs, academics and scientists in the US reeling from President Trump's travel ban and welcomed them with open arms to the country. "I want to make a solemn call to all the researchers, academics, businesses who in the United States are battling obscurantism,” he told a rally [...]
Amazon to launch physical bookstore? Why the etailer has done a 180 on bricks and clicks February 5, 2016 With the news that Amazon is set to open 400 book stores in the US, some could say it’s taking the ‘old fashioned’ route to retail that it had originally disrupted. What are the drivers? One word: leisure. While convenience has become a modern shopping fixation – with brands feeding it constantly, creating new and smarter [...]
Here’s why Ocado’s share price has slumped this morning September 13, 2016 Ocado's share price fell more than 10 per cent in early trading this morning, despite the company announcing retail sales growth of over 13 per cent. The stock had dipped by almost 15 per cent before noon, in a sell-off sparked by comments from the delivery service's chief executive Tim Steiner, who said the company is facing continued margin [...]
Everything you need to know about Black Friday 2016 November 1, 2016 Black Friday 2016 is almost upon us. Falling on 25 November, this year's mega-deals day is already expected to exceed last year's sales bonanza. Already the rumour mill has started up, with deal tip sites suggesting plenty of bargains will be on offer from electricals specialists from Currys to Carphone Warehouse, while the big players Amazon, John Lewis [...]
New homes: The new properties going on sale this weekend in White City, Upton Park, Putney, Chelsea and St James February 24, 2017 Television Centre, White City From £750,000 New homes are going on sale tomorrow at the iconic former home of the BBC in west London. One to three bedroom apartments will go on the market, all with balconies overlooking Hammersmith Park’s Japanese ornamental garden, which was created in 1910 as part of the Japan-Britain exhibition. They [...]
Tech enthusiasts plot Black Friday spending spree, planning £425 of purchases November 23, 2016 Tech enthusiasts are planning to go wild this Black Friday, according to a new study. Some 60 per cent of those surveyed by media company Future said they were planning to make a purchase this year, compared with 34 per cent who did so last year. Read more: Morrisons are getting hunks to help lift [...]
Sports software company Zwift secures bumper investment from London private equity house November 17, 2016 A software company promising to turn indoor sport on its head announced a $27m (£22m) investment from a London-based private equity house. Zwift, which currently focuses on creating an outdoor virtual reality for indoor cycling, said the cash boost would give them the "powder" to take the business to the next level. Gaming private equity specialist Novator Partners provided the [...]
High street retailers steal share of physical entertainment market from Amazon January 25, 2016 Sales of physical DVDs, CDs and video games may be dropping but bricks and mortar stores are still holding their own after taking market share from the likes of Amazon in the quarter. According to Kantar Worldpanel figures, high street retailers took 68 per cent of spend on physical entertainment in the 12 weeks to 20 [...]
Ocado reports sales growth in final quarter December 8, 2016 Ocado has reported growth in sales and order numbers during the 16 weeks to 27 November, with year end sales up 15.1 per cent – but shares in the firm dropped almost four per cent at the market open. The grocery delivery service said group sales were up 14.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, from [...]