BT’s broadband network dominance is bad for customers, innovation and the country November 10, 2015 The frustrations with Openreach expressed by Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao yesterday are shared by millions of customers and businesses as well as Sky. The current structure where one provider, BT, has complete ownership of the national broadband network has led to unacceptable levels of service, reduced competition, and a poverty of ambition in terms [...]
These nine chief executives of British firms are the best performing bosses in the world for shareholder returns and environmental, social and governance performance October 13, 2015 Nine chief executives of UK firms are the best in the world. The UK is home to the second largest number of top-performing bosses along with France, and second only to the US, according to a new comprehensive ranking based on company performance. WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell emerged as the fifth best chief in the world [...]
Facebook tax row will generate more heat than light – The City View October 12, 2015 Here we go again. Corporation-bashing is back in full force, this time targeted at Facebook following the revelation of its latest UK tax bill. Labour MP David Lammy slammed the company as a “disgrace” yesterday, while Green party leader Natalie Bennett described Facebook – which employs hundreds of people in the UK and is enjoyed [...]
Amazon UK opening Shoreditch studio to boost fashion business November 23, 2014 Amazon is planning to step up its assault on rival online fashion retailers such as Asos and Next with the opening of a 46,000-square foot fashion photography studio in Shoreditch next year. The move comes as Amazon has been boosting its fashion efforts, signing up more than 100 brands in 2014, including Hugo Boss and [...]
As vendors count the cost of the Amazon 1p glitch, is more protection needed for sellers? December 15, 2014 Stephen Palmer, managing director at TV Village, says Yes. It is important to note that this is not Amazon’s fault – it’s down to the third-party repricing software, RepricerExpress. But this has definitely made me more nervous about letting Amazon ship our goods, instead of us sending them directly. At least when we despatch them, [...]
Decline of physical entertainment market slows – but DVD, CD and video game sales still slide August 10, 2015 Things seemed to be looking up for physical entertainment market. Although fewer people are buying video games, CDs and DVDs, the rate of decline has slowed in the last quarter, while several major retailers even recorded an increase in sales. Figures released this morning by Kantar Worldpanel show that the physical entertainment market shrank by three [...]
Adult colouring-in books helps WH Smith to another year of growth October 15, 2015 WH Smith's share price jumped this morning after reporting a surge in profits thanks, in part, to the phenomenon of "colouring therapy", which has been sweeping the country this year. The figures Prelims for the year to 31 August suggest each part of the stationer has performed well, giving the group pre-tax profit an eight per cent [...]
Today’s tech Goliaths can’t rest on their laurels – The City View October 5, 2015 Rentpath. Web.com. PSINet. Wavo Corporation. Netcom On-Line. iStar Internet. Not exactly household names, are they? But these organisations were some of the biggest listed internet companies in the world, just two decades ago. According to research by venture capitalist Mary Meeker, they were all in the top 15 at that time, but have now been [...]
Black Friday 2015 UK: John Lewis & Marks and Spencer’s best deals on kitchenware, homeware and furniture including Sony TVs, Le Creuset pans and Dyson vacuum cleaners November 26, 2015 Like it or not, it appears Black Friday is here to stay, and us Britons can't get enough. It's estimated that we will spend as much as £1.9bn on 27 November, with Visa expecting £721m to be spent online. Peak shopping times will be between 6pm and 7pm, as commuters go shopping on their mobiles. Homeware will account [...]
Here’s how Royal Mail wants to turn itself around: Targeted junk mail based on your online shopping June 22, 2015 It hasn't been an easy few months for Royal Mail since it went public – but now the company has a secret weapon: targeted junk mail based on your online shopping habits. The company has already begun a "secret pilot" with a large UK retailer, the Daily Mail reported, with mail sent to households if they so much [...]