Beware fake hoverboards: Counterfeit goods are no longer cheap imitations confined to the black market December 16, 2015 Only a few months ago, hoverboard hysteria swept the nation. Endorsements by celebrities from Lily Allen to Usain Bolt led to a massive rush of pre-orders and John Lewis swiftly ran out of stock. However, there is also a dark side to all of this excitement: the seizure of more than 15,000 hoverboards imported into [...]
China dominates sentiment in listless market – eToro Tips & Picks November 30, 2015 If there are no unexpected developments in the Middle East or any other major news events, the next few days are likely to be reasonably quiet for the US and European markets. Investors seem to be watching and waiting ahead of Friday’s US non-farm payrolls report and Janet Yellen’s speech. Even if the markets [...]
The EU wants customers to be able to access Sky, Netflix and other online subscriptions anywhere in Europe December 9, 2015 The EU wants to create a Digital Single Market. Wait! It's more interesting than it sounds: it means customers will be able to use their online subscriptions such as Netflix, Canal+ and Sky for free anywhere in Europe. The proposal was put forward by the EU's executive body the European Commission today. But, it is likely the scheme will face strong opposition from the media [...]
Rise of the robots: Advanced robotics spark an investment boom as experts predict a robot-led industrial revolution is coming January 18, 2016 The world is on the cusp of a revolution in robotics and there has been a surge of investment in artificial intelligence recently, with a spread of innovations fast developing which will change the global economy. Last year, the sector experienced a boom in mergers and acquisitions as $2bn worth of deals were completed, according to [...]
Black Friday UK 2015: Bargain bonanza signals a never-ending sales season with Cyber Monday, Panic Saturday and Manic Monday to name a few November 26, 2015 Sales periods have sprung up around the world that give shoppers the bargains they crave while allowing sellers to offload old stock or generate footfall. But retailers face a period of discounting that could undermine the advantages they used to bring. In America, it is Black Friday, while in Europe January sales have kept cash tills [...]
Peer-to-peer lenders hit back after City grandee Lord Adair Turner says they could lead to “big losses” February 10, 2016 Peer-to-peer lenders have rejected criticisms from former City regulator Lord Adair Turner, who warned earlier today that the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending industry could be a source of "big losses" in the years ahead. "The losses which will emerge from peer-to-peer lending over the next five to 10 years will make the bankers look like lending geniuses," Turner told BBC [...]
London’s Silicon Roundabout is losing its appeal – UHY Hacker Young November 16, 2015 Sky-high rents are beginning to dampen the enthusiasm of would-be tech entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in London’s Silicon Roundabout. The number of start-ups established near the Old Street Roundabout dropped to 10,280 in the 12 months to March, down roughly a third compared with the 12 months to March 2014. The research published [...]
Black Friday 2015 UK: The best deals on healthcare and beauty from retailers including Boots, Holland & Barrett, Superdrug and others November 26, 2015 The Black Friday shopping deals have begun ahead of the main day on 27 November, and the biggest beauty and healthcare stores are in on the action. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving is the most popular shopping day fo the year, when consumers turn their attention towards Christmas and snap up the bargains on [...]
UK footfall slumps on Panic Saturday as online retailing wins over high street December 21, 2015 Footfall slumped across high streets and shopping centres this weekend as consumers took advantage of retailers offering even later deadlines for Christmas deliveries to shop online rather than venturing out in stores. The traditional stampede of customers on so-called Panic Saturday failed to materialise to the same extent as last year, with footfall down by [...]
Royal Bank of Canada picks Brookfield’s 100 Bishopsgate for its new UK headquarters November 2, 2015 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has signed a pre-let deal with Brookfield Property Partners to move its UK headquarters to the developer’s 100 Bishopsgate tower. The bank, which has been on the hunt for a new head office for a year, will take the first seven floors of the 37-storey tower in the City, equal to [...]