Sainsbury’s expected to ask for more time over Home Retail Group bid as Christo Wiese’s Steinhoff International joins the party February 21, 2016 Sainsbury’s is expected to ask for an extension to tomorrow’s deadline for making a firm offer for Home Retail Group after a South African retail conglomerate waded in at the eleventh hour with a higher offer. The supermarket chain revealed earlier this month that it had reached an agreement with Home Retail over a possible cash [...]
Why investors shouldn’t ignore the hype about fintech April 11, 2016 Many investors (business angels, venture capital and private equity funds as well as family offices) are participating in fintech, and recognise value creation truly reflective of a “fourth industrial revolution”. However, others are somewhat sceptical and concerned about froth and hype. Either way, what’s interesting is that even the most sceptical aren’t willing to bet [...]
Sainsbury’s share price drops, while Home Retail Group’s rises on back of detailed plan for renewed Argos bid January 13, 2016 Sainsbury's trading update may have beaten expectations – but attention has been focused on the supermarket's bid for Argos parent Home Retail Group. Although the original offer was rebuffed, Sainsbury's has until 2 February to decide whether to make a second bid. Renewed speculation has pushed Home's share price up five per cent, although Sainsbury's share [...]
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund had its worst year since 2011 last year, but managed to avoid negative returns March 9, 2016 The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund has returned 2.7 per cent on its investments in 2015 thanks to a rally in equities late in the year. The low oil price and slowing emerging markets dragged on returns however, meaning the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund recorded its weakest performance since 2011. The oil fund, managed by [...]
CES 2016: Netflix share price jumps on expansion to 130 new countries, including India, Singapore and Saudi Arabia – but not China January 6, 2016 Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings had a big announcement up his sleeve for his keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES): Netflix is going live in 130 new countries, tripling the streaming giant’s distribution in one fell swoop. The expansion makes Netflix really global, as new countries include India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia [...]
Beware fintech’s pivot to China April 12, 2016 Ever since former Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins declared an ”Uber moment” for banks, the powers that be from the Square Mile to Canary Wharf have rushed to defend themselves against a herd of ambitious fintech unicorns. But if recent collaborations between financial titans and spritely startups are anything to go by, it appears the [...]
Dixons Carphone deputy chief executive Andrew Harrison to join Ocado board January 28, 2016 Dixons Carphone deputy chief executive Andrew Harrison is joining the board of Ocado, bolstering the business' retail skills further. Harrison will join as an independent non-executive director on 1 March. His appointment comes at an interesting time for the business, which is rumoured to be in talks about a tie-up with Amazon – rather than go [...]
Cyber Monday 2015: Shoppers across the UK set to spend more than £3bn by Cyber Monday November 28, 2015 By the time Cyber Monday comes to an end shoppers around the UK are expected to have spent over £3bn, as they clutch at online deals. Analysts predict a total of £3.2bn to be spent by customers across the country this weekend – Amazon reported its biggest sales day ever in the UK yesterday, with 6m orders, according [...]
How to earn passive income: 22 ways to create multiple streams of income January 16, 2017 Making money while you sleep. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? After reading books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "4 Hour Work Week," I became interested obsessed with making passive income. Whenever someone needs additional income, the stereotypical suggestion offered is to “get a part-time job.” But what if you don't have [...]
UK shoppers are turning to websites overseas in search of a better bargain, says PwC February 29, 2016 Better prices would drive two thirds of UK consumers to shop from an online retailer outside of the country, according to a report that reveals dramatic changes in shopping behaviour over the last year. Accountancy firm PwC surveyed nearly 23,000 people across six continents about their shopping habits for its annual Total Retail report released [...]