One noisy feature of the post-Christmas business scene in the 1980s and ’90s was the elaborate publication of holiday brochures by the raft of tour operators who were around at the time. Before the internet allowed people to be their own tour operator, the public was inundated every January with offers from organisations like Budget […]

Customer experience is the interaction that a consumer has, or comes to expect, when engaging with a brand. However, this simple concept has become a minefield for brands in this era of digital transformation, as the consumer decision journey focuses on online channels. Consumers now expect a customised experience from brands, with a recent Salesforce […]

Oil has surged above $70 a barrel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of one of the Islamic Republic’s most powerful generals. Futures jumped by another 3pc on Monday as the United States State Department warned of a “heightened risk” of attacks near military bases and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. […]

Turbo charge your money habits and 2020 could be your year to save ­thousands of pounds. It doesn’t matter if you manage to get the lowest price for your utilities, if you are spending more than you are earning, you’ll never be in control of your cash. So – Take Control. Become a money planner. […]

Millions of people will get a pay rise in April thanks to a rise in the minimum wage for all basic rate workers. After a two month General Election delay, the Government has finally said that 2.8million people will see their pay jump, including apprentices. Next year, the National Living Wage (NLW) – the rate […]

Higher Vat bills falling due at the end of this month, rising rents and the increase to the minimum wage leave large numbers of restaurants and cafes at risk of closure, according to sector expert Aiden Murphy, a partner with accountants Crowe. Despite economic growth and a boom in retail spending in the run-up to […]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The fatal Dec. 29 crash of a Tesla Inc vehicle in Southern California will be investigated by the U.S. government’s auto safety regulator, the agency said on Tuesday. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said earlier this month it had opened an investigation into a 12th Tesla crash that may […]

HONG KONG/LONDON (Reuters) – China has temporarily blocked planned cross-border listings between the Shanghai and London stock exchanges because of political tensions with Britain, five sources told Reuters. Suspending the Shanghai-London Stock Connect scheme casts a shadow over the future of a project meant to build ties between Britain and China, help Chinese firms expand […]

“I have been bent and broken but, I hope, into a better shape.” (Charles Dickens, 1860) Ireland begins a new decade with an unquestionably stronger economy than it had 10 years ago. There are over 365,000 more people in the country, 325,400 more in work, and GDP is 77pc higher (in today’s prices) than a […]

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Asian shares kicked off 2020 on a strong note on Thursday, spurred by Chinese markets after Beijing eased monetary policy to support the slowing economy. Investors also cheered news that the United States and China will sign a trade pact soon after months of volatile negotiations between the world’s two largest economies. […]