Opinion Archives

21 Jun

What do Google ad tool updates mean for users?

In a bid for greater transparency Google ad tool updates were announced earlier this month, showing the tech giants willingness to ease consumer concerns.

19 Jun

The world’s largest cybersecurity conference may have grown too big for its own good

Attendance at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, cybersecurity’s premier event, declined this year for the first time, despite tremendous demand for security technology and talent.

19 Jun

CYBG takes over Virgin Money, breathing new life into UK challenger banks

CYBG takeover of Virgin Money will help rejuvenate UK challenger banks and provide competition to leading players.

15 Jun

Germany’s housing crisis: Properly enforced rent cap and more building needed to solve a deepening problem

The German housing crisis is deepening due to the government’s poorly implemented, half-baked policy.

15 Jun

Tick-borne diseases on the rise: what can be done?

Cases of tick-borne diseases are on the rise globally, with Lyme disease patients increasing by over three-fold in the US alone in the past couple years.

12 Jun

Will the move to grocery stores help HelloFresh fight off competitors?

HelloFresh has expanded into 600 US supermarkets this month in a bid to reach more customers.

12 Jun

Three reasons why tariffs won’t save US manufacturing

The US has maintained a significant trade deficit for decades, but imposing the new President Trump tariffs will unlikely lead to improving the situation.

11 Jun

Multi-price retailing not enough to save Poundworld

UK-based Poundworld’s introduction of multi-price retailing and smaller product sizes has failed to shore up margins, and the discounter has been forced to appoint administrators today.

8 Jun

Could Las Vegas become a model safe smart city for others?

Imagine the scene.

7 Jun

M&S stands to gain the most from House of Fraser closures

Mid-market players Marks & Spencer and Debenhams stand to gain the most from the planned closures of 31 House of Fraser stores, should landlords accept its proposed Company Voluntary Agreement.

5 Jun

US-China trade war could wipe out US-based generics manufacturing

US President Trump’s proposed tariffs on China could ignite a US-China trade war and destabilise an already shaky pharma industry.

4 Jun

Enterprise IT software: are we witnessing the death of best of breed?

Is best of breed on its way out as an approach to enterprise IT software?

For larger companies with legacy infrastructure, a best of breed approach (the integration of several products from multiple vendors), has been favoured as a common IT strategy.

31 May

Fuel prices are soaring, will OPEC come to the rescue?

UK petrol and diesel prices on the forecourts hit a 3-year high in 2018 and they look unlikely to slow down anytime soon unless OPEC can increase production.

31 May

Is Pret’s future with JAB bright?

Coffee giant JAB Holdings has announced the purchase of a majority stake in Pret A Manger in a deal reportedly worth £1.5bn.

30 May

Automation

Can machine learning predict the onset of autism?

Machine learning: a solution to autism diagnosis?

The early and accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is crucial.

30 May

Cybersecurity skills shortage: vendors step up to address workforce shortfall

Companies are faced with a cybersecurity skills shortage

Around the world, companies are unable to hire enough workers due to a cybersecurity skills shortage.

30 May

China’s OnePlus finds niche with new model as major brands struggle

As the smartphone market mature, storied brands such as Sony, LG, and HTC are struggling to compete against Apple and Samsung.

29 May

US tax reform: The slow-motion train wreck gathers momentum

Frustrated after nearly a year of legislative impotence and threatened with the imminent loss of campaign contributions if promised tax cuts were not delivered by the end of 2017, the final two months of 2017 saw Congress’ slender Republican majority hastily cobble together and then enact a ‘tax reform’ package.

25 May

Comment wire

The most disastrous UK retail acquisition in history has reached its inevitable conclusion

Wesfarmers has finally managed to extricate itself from the UK, selling its Homebase operation to Hilco for £1, in what appears to be the only sensible decision it has made during the two-year debacle.

25 May

Comment wire

GDPR is coming into force today – how will retailers survive in this new world?

Most retailers have been dreading this – GDPR is finally coming into force in the European Union today.

23 May

Comment wire

Tesco is battening down the hatches as it shuts Tesco Direct website

Supermarket giant Tesco has put its cards on the table by announcing the planned closure of its loss-making non-food website, Tesco Direct, in an effort to streamline operations and rid it of noncompetitive product lines as it prepares to increase investment into one online platform.

22 May

Comment wire

UK startups are finding growth in China — Here’s why

In 2017, China facilitated the creation of some 4,000 technology, media, and telecoms startups.

18 May

Crossing borders

Air France-KLM: Repositioning to premium is essential

Air France-KLM must clarify its market position as the lack of a clear strategy is the source of its financial problems.

18 May

Comment wire

US Senate has renewed focus on net neutrality ahead of mid-term elections

The US Senate is making a last-ditch effort to save net neutrality, but the effort is likely to go nowhere.

17 May

Comment wire

Autonomous vehicles: Why Alphabet could be set to win the race

Human beings are clearly not fit-for-purpose when it comes to driving cars, buses and lorries – they tend to be too emotional, too erratic and too prone to suffer from fatigue and stress.

15 May

Comment wire