Nintendo 3DS not ready in time for Xmas September 29, 2010 NINTENDO has failed in its bid to rush its new 3DS handheld games console out in time for Christmas. The Japanese firm announced yesterday the device, which claims to create a 3D effect without the need for glasses, will be released in February in its home country and March in Europe and the US. The [...]
A home away from home in Poland’s loveliest city October 26, 2010 IT is a pity that ancient and beautiful Krakow is no longer the capital of Poland – sometime towards the 19th century Polish kings veered towards Warsaw for business but they always asked to return to Krakow for their final resting place, as did many famous Polish saints, poets and bishops. These days, Krakow is [...]
Lego pieces together a strong half year’s results September 8, 2010 TOY manufacturer Lego, famed for its colorful building blocks, yesterday reported a 34 per cent jump in sales to 5.86bn Danish krona (£646.7m) in the first half of the year. The company said Hollywood-branded tie-ins on films like Toy Story and Prince of Persia and a new range of board games had helped to produce [...]
THE TIPSTER October 18, 2010 HOME Retail Group has seen its share price underperforming the market and its sector this year: the share price is down a whopping 30 per cent year-to-date. Wednesday’s interims, however, should provide us with some good news and investors might look favourably on the stock as the Christmas period approaches. Capital CFDs quotes 219.2p-219.9p. Euro-dollar [...]
British businesses fear doube-dip is looming September 13, 2010 British businesses believe the country could be headed for a double-dip recession, according to a survey from accountants and business advisors BDO LLP. BDO’s optimism index – which reflects how businesses expect trading to develop two quarters ahead – tumbled to 93.1 in August from 95.5 in July, reaching levels not seen since the deepest [...]
England must go for jugular. This isn’t over… yet December 14, 2010 I CAN’T think of a better Christmas present to everyone involved in English cricket than securing the Ashes; it would be absolutely fantastic. Victory in the third Test, which starts in the small hours of tonight, would guarantee we bring the urn back to these shores, and you can be sure that’s exactly what all [...]
Intelligent luxury for smart skiers at Les Domaines February 2, 2011 THE new Alpine luxury is understated, contemporary elegance in a traditional-looking wood building, with lots of hand-crafted features and discreet state-of-the-art facilities. It is located in a small and original village – not a purpose-built concrete bunker. These days, intelligent luxury means completely no-hassle holidays – you own your own property, but it is fully [...]
Portmeirion boosted as Koreans snap up its patterned ceramics August 9, 2010 POTTERY group Portmeirion saw its profit surge by 88 per cent as its sales in Korea and the US took off. The Spode and Royal Worcester brands the company bought helped to fuel the rise with revenues up 24 per cent to £21m. Chairman Dick Steele said half the sales rise came from the acquired [...]
Home Retail Group says profit to dive by a quarter September 9, 2010 Home Retail Group forecast a 20-25 per cent reduction in first-half profit, with sales at its Argos stores continuing to fall as low income shoppers cut back on spending. The firm, which also owns the Homebase DIY business, said it expected to make a year to the end of February 2011 underlying pre-tax profit of [...]
Terry Smith to launch an asset management firm September 12, 2010 STOCKBROKING veteran Terry Smith is expected to step down from Collins Stewart within the next few months to concentrate on launching an asset management business. The venture, entitled Fundsmith, will give both high street and professional investors the opportunity to invest alongside Smith. The tough-talking former analyst has ploughed several millions of pounds from his [...]