Sky launches bundle to give Netflix the chills June 29, 2016 Broadcaster Sky is moving into direct competition with streaming upstarts like Netflix with a contract-free online TV, internet, and phone bundle. Sky’s digital service, Now TV, was launched in 2012 and has recently come under pressure from Netflix and Amazon’s TV and movie streaming service Prime Video. Netflix works on a rolling monthly subscription, while [...]
A shortage of land could kill off London’s e-commerce revolution September 13, 2016 Recent reports that Amazon is set to test drone deliveries in partnership with the UK government is just the latest salvo in the fiercely contested battle between the e-commerce giants that are transforming the way we shop. The move also demonstrates the challenges of a constantly evolving logistics sector. City A.M. readers are at the [...]
Oh my god, I can’t believe it: Spotify has 40m paid subscribers, its founder said today September 14, 2016 It seems Spotify founder Daniel Ek has taken a leaf out of Elon Musk's book: the Tesla tycoon is fond of using Twitter to make market-moving musings. And today Ek did just that: 40 is the new 30.Million. 😄 — Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) September 14, 2016 He was, of course, referring to the number of paid [...]
Here’s everything that happened in the sixth episode of The Apprentice November 11, 2016 This week’s Apprentice sent the final 12 on a wild goose chase around London in a classic task – the treasure hunt challenge. They were given all night to find every object on a list, which shouldn't have been too hard considering London is now a 24-hour city. Perhaps a more difficult challenge before the advent [...]
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos becomes the fourth richest person in the world, overtaking Carlos Slim November 11, 2015 Important news for billionaire watchers: last night Amazon founder Jeff Bezos became the fourth-richest person in the world, after a rally in the online retailer caused him to breeze past Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim. Amazon shares finished yesterday 0.64 per cent up, at $4.19. According to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, that pushes his fortune up to $58.2bn [...]
Corporations are “fighting the wrong battle” on tax avoidance, according to Eurozone finance chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem September 11, 2016 The head of Eurozone finance ministers has warned multinational corporations to pay their share of tax, less than two weeks after Apple was handed a €13bn bill by EU authorities. The European Competition Commission ruled that the tech giant had been handed a “sweetheart” deal amounting to state aid by the Irish government. And now, head [...]
Forget the crushing consensus of trigger warnings and safe spaces: Our world needs more contrarians November 28, 2016 The news that the London nightclub Fabric is to potentially reopen is welcome. The progressive house music played there provided an antidote to the chart-toppers heard in the more salubrious salons of the West End. Similarly, those who speak out and stand up for what they believe in provide a contrarian view to mainstream thinking. This [...]
John Lewis, Amazon & Lush: UK shoppers’ favourite retailers revealed as Black Friday 2015 draws near November 23, 2015 Amazon, John Lewis and Lush are UK shoppers’ favourite retailers, according to a new ranking showing that customer service has beat out price to become our top priority when shopping. Amazon held the top spot in the hearts of the 10,000 shoppers surveyed by OC&C for its annual Retail Propositions Index, with an approval rating [...]
Wireless broadband provider Relish launches same-day broadband service September 21, 2016 Rising demand for same day delivery services has spread to the broadband market. London wireless broadband provider Relish has announced it will deliver its 4G router by same day delivery, if orders are placed before 12pm. The announcement comes amid rising criticism of how long it takes some of the UK's biggest internet service providers to get [...]
Amazon posts jump in profits as cloud sales grow 70 per cent October 22, 2015 Profits at online retailer Amazon jumped in the three months to September, the company has announced today. Amazon posted net income of $79m (£51m), or $0.17 per share in the three months September, compared to a net loss of $437m, or 0.95 cents a share, in the same period last year. Net sales were reported to be [...]