Barclays unveils cash-free payment app in bid to poach bank customers February 15, 2012 BARCLAYS has launched a mobile app that could see the bank poach thousands of customers from rivals by giving them the ability to pay without cash. The app, called Pingit, is aimed at boosting Barclays’ brand by linking the lender to a convenient service. It lets users link their mobile number to their bank account [...]
McDonald’s May sales rise 3.1 per cent June 8, 2011 US fast food giant McDonald’s has reported a 3.1 per cent rise in May sales at established restaurants, but gains were more modest than expected in its core US market and its shares fell 1.7 per cent in premarket trading. The world’s biggest hamburger chain said sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose [...]
Greggs in festive boost January 11, 2012 Baker Greggs posted a rise in sales over the Christmas and New year trading period and forecast more growth in 2012. The Newcastle, North East England-based firm, which sells bread, sandwiches, savouries, cakes and pastries to over 6 million customers a week, said on Wednesday sales at stores open over a year rose 5.1 per [...]
Investors unnerved by poor factory data March 22, 2012 CYCLICAL sectors led US stocks lower yesterday, setting the S&P 500 up for its first negative week in six, after factory data showed a slowdown in both the Eurozone and China. The weak data is hardly a surprise for markets, as many analysts have already factored in a recession in the Eurozon and early this [...]
McDonald’s profit up – but costs rise April 21, 2011 McDonald’s reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as the world’s largest restaurant company posted March sales that topped analyst expectations. But the company’s profit margin took a hit because of rising food and paper costs, and it increased its inflation forecasts. It said it now expects food costs to rise between 4 and 4.5 per cent [...]
We’re the 100 per cent because we all pay tax January 9, 2012 DEBATES about tax can be pretty taxing – as two recent examples of both sides of the debate embellishing the facts to create outrage out of nothing clearly show. In a recent report, Action Aid found that 98 per cent of FTSE 100 companies had subsidiaries that operated within a tax haven. There are problems [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS November 28, 2011 POILANE OPENS ALL-DAY VENUE Artisan bakery Poilâne has launched its first dining venue in the UK. The Cuisine de Bar by Poilâne at 39 Cadogan Gardens hopes to attract customers already familiar with its renowned chain of Parisian bakeries. Open until 8.30pm, it promises to serve wine as well as its famous bread and coffee [...]
Struggling to choose a luxury car? Then ask the dealer for a holiday March 29, 2012 BUYERS of luxury cars are faced with more choice than ever before. To differentiate themselves, the car companies have started offering something extra to entice would-be customers. Most of the big luxury car marques offer driving trips to their customers, giving them the chance to tour a variety of stunning locations in their new car. [...]
Subway to create 6,000 new UK jobs January 26, 2012 SUBWAY, the sandwich franchise chain, has announced ambitious plans to open over 2,000 stores in the UK and Ireland over the next three year, creating more than 6,000 jobs. The company, which is famous for its US-style foot-long rolls, said its expansion plans were fuelled by a growing consumer demand for “convenient, affordable” food on [...]
New Europe drama closes Wall Street’s winning run January 24, 2012 US stock edged lower yesterday, ending a five-day rally for the Standard & Poor’s 500, as talks to resolve Greece’s debt crisis hit a snag and earnings from a number of blue chips disappointed. Greece moved closer to the possibility of a chaotic default as talks to restructure the country’s debt stalled. However, the US [...]