Forget Janet and Mario: 2016 is the year of GARY – CNBC Comment December 15, 2015 Investors have spent the last few years betting with the Fed and the ECB, as monetary policy dominated fundamentals. But many are now stumped over what to do next, as central bankers today seem to carry more risk and less reward. The ECB’s Mario Draghi let investors down this month with a flawed communications strategy. [...]
Retailers sound alarm bells after one of toughest Christmas periods on record January 13, 2016 UK retailers have suffered one of their worst Christmas trading periods on record, according to new research showing a surge in the number of companies struggling to make ends meet. Turnaround specialist Begbies Traynor said 26,013 UK retailers entered the year in significant financial distress – nearly double the amount recorded in the fourth quarter [...]
Sky Q: Is the latest viewing innovation a TV game-changer? November 19, 2015 Sky has unveiled a new premium TV service, Sky Q, to add to its current Sky+ and NowTV line-up of TV products. Due to launch across the UK and Ireland in early 2016, Sky is adapting to how people want to consume content, allowing “customers to experience TV on their terms”. Sky Q will put live, on-demand, and recorded TV together. [...]
Amazon is launches Home Services in the US – here are some of the most random things you can order March 30, 2015 Amazon has come a long way from starting as an online book store 20 years ago – from today, people in the US can buy professional help via its website. The e-commerce giant has launched its Home Services site, which spans 700 different services ranging from installation to rubbish disposal. Help will be on [...]
Black Friday 2015 UK: Currys PC World reveals deals on Nespresso, Dyson, LG, Samsung, Sony and Bosch goods November 24, 2015 Currys PC World has launched its Black Friday 2015 bargains today, promising 40 per cent more stock will be available and 30 per cent more deals on offer than last year. In total, Currys PC World is promising more than 3,000 deals on top brands including Nespresso, Dyson, LG, Samsung, Sony and Bosch across a 10-day event starting [...]
European Commission: Yup, Amazon’s Luxembourg tax deal probably gave it an unfair advantage January 16, 2015 European regulators admitted that a deal struck between Amazon and Luxembourgish authorities to minimise its tax bill probably did constitute state aid. In a 23-page letter dated 7 October but only published today, the European Commission pointed out that it "has doubts…. as to [the deal's] compatibility with the internal market" It added that it [...]
Black Friday 2015 UK: John Lewis staff banned from using discounts on sales items November 27, 2015 John Lewis has banned employees from using their staff discounts on its Black Friday promotions online. Although staff are allowed to make use of their partner discount – 12 per cent off electricals and 25 per cent on other goods – in store, they have been blocked from using it online. The department store told This [...]
Woody Allen is headhunted by Amazon January 13, 2015 Amazon Studios yesterday announced it has signed deal with Woody Allen for the critically-acclaimed director to write and direct his first ever television series. Amazon has signed a half-hour series (named Untitled Woody Allen Project) for a whole season, with customers able to watch the episodes on Amazon’s prime instant video in the UK, US [...]
Citymapper, Lovefilm and Betfair backer Balderton Capital invests $3m as The Tab takes on America December 10, 2015 Student tabloid The Tab has got America in its sights with a $3m (£1.98m) investment from one of Europe's largest venture capital firms Balderton Capital. Balderton has invested previously invested in fashion site Yoox, which it floated in 2009 and recently merged with Net-a-porter, LoveFilm, which it sold to Amazon in 2011, Betfair and Citymapper. The Tab said it would use [...]
Government sells off its final stake in Royal Mail – but only institutional investors need apply October 12, 2015 The government has announced plans to sell off its final stake in Royal Mail, two years after it began privatising the company – but true to form, only institutional investors will get a chance to buy the shares. In a statement today, it said had begun the process of selling off its remaining shareholding, which [...]