Product placement ban on British TV lifted

Interesting to follow the evolution of this Legal factor. Firstly, there was Economical pressures both at macro and micro level and then there is the Political as there was a clear indication in 2009 that a change in the Political Environment (government change) would change the Legal factors (see the FT article from 2009http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0fb9de6c-a15b-11de-a88d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1FGxSQQOd).


Product placement ban on British TV lifted
A ban on product placement has been lifted, allowing advertisers to pay for their goods to be seen on British TV.
Paid-for references to products and services are now permitted for the first time in shows produced in the UK, including soaps and one-off dramas.

Read the whole article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12593061

Britain's changing High Street

Interesting facts and figure. Some of these could be sources of uncertainty particularly on the socio-cultural front.

Britain's changing High Street
The UK economy continued to grow, according to the latest figures, but consumer spending has slowed and retailers across the country are still feeling the effects of the recession. And research commissioned by the BBC into the number of vacant shops in England, Wales and Scotland suggests our changing consumer habits, as well as the downturn, are transforming the face of our High Streets.

Read the whole article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11915437

Climate rifts ahead of G20 talks

Several Macro External Environment factors are determined in these G20 meetings.

Climate rifts ahead of G20 talks

Disputes over climate change and stimulus spending have emerged ahead of a summit of G20 finance ministers.
Ministers of the 20 leading economies are meeting in St Andrews, Fife, to discuss the nascent global recovery and how to reduce carbon emissions.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8347786.stm

Rich Germans demand higher taxes

An interesting social phenomenon? Could this became a trend?

Rich Germans demand higher taxes
A group of rich Germans has launched a petition calling for the government to make wealthy people pay higher taxes.
The group say they have more money than they need, and the extra revenue could fund economic and social programmes to aid Germany's economic recovery

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8321967.stm

Soros sees no bottom for world financial "collapse"

Soros sees no bottom for world financial "collapse"
Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:22am GMT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Renowned investor George Soros said on Friday the world financial system has effectively disintegrated, adding that there is yet no prospect of a near-term resolution to the crisis.
Soros said the turbulence is actually more severe than during the Great Depression, comparing the current situation to the demise of the Soviet Union.

Read the whole article at: http://uk.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUKTRE51K0AV20090221

Waitrose to add 4,000 positions

'Supermarkets are one of the few sectors creating rather than shedding jobs'. It is interesting to note how the sector of supermarkets deals with economic crisis through expansion and economies of scale.

Waitrose to add 4,000 positions

Supermarket chain Waitrose says it will add 4,000 new jobs as it embarks on an expansion drive.
The chain has entered an agreement with The Co-operative Group to buy 13 stores and Waitrose said it would open a further nine new branches.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7833065.stm

Owner of Five 'eyes bid for C4'

Note how the environmental factors 'from a funding gap as advertising revenue falls' influence network level strategies. Good example of vertical integration.

Owner of Five 'eyes bid for C4'

RTL, the German firm which owns channel Five, is contemplating a takeover bid for Channel 4, a report suggests.
It has asked investment bank JP MorganChase to examine the prospect of the move, The Sunday Times reports.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7782645.stm

UK recession to be 'tougher and longer'

These forecasts are quite interesting in terms of the planning horizon.

UK recession to be 'tougher and longer'
The UK economy is expected to contract for another three quarters before beginning a slow recovery through 2010

Kathryn Hopkins
Monday November 17 2008 09.20 GMT

Recession in Britain will be tougher and longer than previously thought, the Confederation of British Industry warned today, with the economy expected to contract by 1.7% next year.
It also expects unemployment to hit 9% in 2010, leaving almost 3 million people out of work.

Read the whole article at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/nov/17/recession-cbi

Understanding the Crisis in the Markets: A Panel of Harvard Experts

A worth watching video.

Link to the video: http://alumninews.harvard.edu/2008/10/03/understanding-the-crisis-in-the-markets-a-panel-of-harvard-experts/#more-90

Nissan profits slump on high yen

The impact of the exchange rate.

Nissan profits slump on high yen

Nissan has reported a 41% fall in half-year profits after it was hit by the high value of the yen and the "severe decline" in the US car market.
Japan's third-largest carmaker made a net profit of 126bn yen ($1.3bn; £803m) between April and September, down from 212bn yen a year earlier.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7701398.stm

How do pound shops cope with inflation?

Lots of interesting stuff in this article. Firstly, it is worth noting the growth of 'price leader' strategies at times of economic downturn. Secondly, pound-shops' business model is very interesting and seems to depend on size and relationship with suppliers. (Who would have thought that Colgate is Poundland's supplier?)

How do pound shops cope with inflation?
By Anthony Reuben

Eighteen years since it opened its doors, some people are still struggling with the "everything is a pound" concept.
But enough people seem to be getting the hang of it to have boosted sales of the two biggest chains: Poundland with 191 stores and 99p Stores with 60.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7680302.stm

What is a recession?

After a talk with some of the students it seemed to me that recession is not clearly understood; that's why I am posting this link from BBC which is a quite easy to read text. I am sure that there are lot more scientific sources in the library.

Q&A: What is a recession?

The dreaded R-word - recession - is in the air as every day seems to bring more gloomy economic news.
Many commentators are now openly talking about the current slowdown turning into a recession.
But how do economists define a recession and when will we know if the UK is going through one?

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7495340.stm

John Paulson’s Hedge Funds Return 19% in a Down Market

A good example that the uncertainty of the future is not necessarily a threat.

John Paulson’s Hedge Funds Return 19% in a Down Market
Investors said the Paulson Advantage Plus fund was one of the best performers so far this year, with a net return of 19.44% for the year to the end of August. The fund made 158.75% last year and, through a combination of investment gains and new capital, has grown from about $100m (€70m) at the start of 2007 to almost $9bn, Financial News Online can exclusively reveal.

Read the whole article at: http://www.efinancialnews.com/homepage/content/2452026834