The CBI today (Monday 13 June) unveiled a detailed analysis of the UK labour market, which reveals deep-seated structural problems which will not be solved by a return to economic growth alone.
3 CommentsHere's a funny story about everyday (modern) business people. I was sitting (not so quietly, as it happened) in the UK Business Network LinkedIn Group, minding my own business (literally). But then...
44 CommentsWe all suffer, particularly at this time of year, and doubly so in sales, from all the trend spotters and economic forecasters trying to guide us to this or that emerging market or explosive growth opportunity. And it doesn't mean diddlysquat, of course, unless they happen to be describing a market in which you are an active player, or have a fighting chance of becoming one. So why should you be bothered?
0 CommentsNew research by Keboko has revealed that the average UK worker is tied to their desk for more than seven working weeks a year (37 days a year) carrying out basic administrative tasks, such as updating reports, inputting data, filing expenses, bookkeeping, timesheets, and invoicing and billing. The cost of this red tape to British businesses, equates to more than £104 billion a year.
0 CommentsThe second quarter of 2010 saw ‘exceptional growth’ for the voucher and gift card sector with sales totalling £388.5million, the industry trade body revealed on 11 August.
0 CommentsChina reached another important milestone as its economy eclipsed Japan to become the world’s second largest economy during the second quarter of this year. The country became the world’s biggest exporter in 2009, producing 9.9% of global exports.
0 CommentsThose all-important business travellers are returning to the skies with airline industry trade body IATA reporting that the number of passengers buying premium airline tickets increased in June.
0 CommentsThe most recent production figures from UK factories are better than estimated but the market remains fragile, according to Professor Garel Rhys of Cardiff Business School. He was speaking to 140 delegates at the Sunderland Automotive Conference at the Stadium of Light on 20 April, writes the Headlineauto motoring news agency.
0 CommentsA slew of recent figures – from the US, the UK and, now, the eurozone – point to a stutter in the recovery, but then it was never sensible to imagine the economy would return to pre-recession ‘business as usual’ levels within the space of a few months.
0 CommentsA combination of corporate travel bans, new technology and the financial squeeze on consumers has made for an extremely tough year for the airline sector.
0 CommentsDespite a tough trading year and the loss of 800 Woolworth stores, the UK toy industry has come out fighting with many retailers reporting a growth in 2009, especially in the last quarter of the year.
Figures were unveiled at Toy Fair this morning by BTHA (British Toy & Hobby Association) chairman Roger Dyson. And X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon made a personal appearance this morning at the industry’s annual trade event which runs 26-28 January at Olympia in London.
0 CommentsWith virtually the entire country under a blanket of snow and ice, the winter whiteout conditions are clearly visible in this striking satellite image received by the University of Dundee Satellite Receiving Station today. The image was transmitted today from the NASA satellite Terra.
0 CommentsDespite continuing uncertainty there are signs that parts of the economy are beginning to emerge from the doldrums, though there has been a profound shift in the way business is done in a number of sectors.
One of the major trends is the continuing shift to online retailing. Grocer Ocado recently reported record sales for the Christmas period. The Hatfield-based online grocery retailer also supplies a delivery service for Waitrose web customers.