Business & Tech
The latest stories from independent business & tech media.
FNZ directors to face New Zealand court over shareholder claims
FNZ directors will face claims in open court after a New Zealand judge rejected an attempt to send key allegations in a $4.6bn shareholder dispute to private arbitration.
Google Cloud's London zones takes a nap, multiple services disrupted
Lloyds, HSBC, Royal Mail, Revolut all hit as europe-west2-b falls over. No recovery time in sight, 'no workarounds for now'
Whitehall shuts the front door on digital ID but leaves the back open
Ministers may have scrapped the national scheme, but One Login, digital wallets and 80-plus planned credentials are still very much alive
B&M joins fight for Poundland stores as collapse threat looms
B&M has joined the growing list of retailers circling Poundland’s stores as it races to secure a rescue deal and avoid administration. The company has reportedly registered its interest in snapping up a selection of Poundland shops, as owner Gordon Brothers considers selling the…
Vicky Pearce: The difference between using AI and governing it
It starts as a time-saver. A client meeting finishes and, before the kettle has boiled for the post-meeting brew, a tidy summary is waiting in the inbox. A quick read, a couple of tweaks and it is on file. Nothing unusual there. Advisers have spent
Chancellor rules out CGT rise ahead of Budget
John Healey has reportedly ruled out increasing capital gains tax (CGT) ahead of his first Budget as chancellor next week amid concerns that higher rates could damage economic growth and drive wealthy individuals overseas.
UK finance watchdog wants firms to report AI failures and close calls
FCA seeks clear accountability as financial services embrace increasingly autonomous agents
Oxfordshire targets 20 unicorns and 30,000 new tech jobs by 2035
Oxfordshire has unveiled a 10-year strategy to create 20 billion-dollar companies, attract more than £1bn in annual investment and generate 30,000 new jobs across its innovation economy by 2035.
UK unemployment falls as vacancies sink below 700,000
The UK's unemployment rate unexpectedly fell in the three months to August, offering some encouragement for the chancellor ahead of next week's Budget. However, a sharp decline in vacancies suggests employers remain cautious about hiring as labour costs rise.
London’s mobile networks fall to bottom of Europe’s capital league
Rooftop rent cuts, planning refusals and congestion leave Ookla ranking the UK’s capital last for speed and latency
Defaqto expands Matrix 360 into wealth and protection market
Defaqto has expanded its Matrix 360 market intelligence platform into the wealth and protection sector, giving providers a new tool to benchmark propositions, monitor competitors and track market developments.
Why cyber resilience is now a boardroom priority for UK public services
PARTNER CONTENT: What happens after the inflection point?
Debenhams Group launches faster payment scheme for 30,000 marketplace partners
Debenhams Group has launched a new cash flow solution, enabling its 30,000-plus marketplace brand partners to access sales revenue faster. The group has partnered with Storfund to introduce its Daily Advance service, allowing eligible sellers to receive payments as soon as orders…
Tesco launches 500-screen advertising blitz across Booker’s UK wholesale estate
Tesco-owned Booker has rolled out more than 500 digital advertising screens across 100 UK wholesale sites, turning its cash-and-carry estate into a new retail media network aimed at attracting major brands.
The Morning Briefing: UK unemployment falls; Defaqto expands Matrix 360
Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Tuesday 20 October 2026. To get this in your inbox every morning
Pinterest’s head of beauty reveals the rise of hyper-personalised trends
Pinterest’s first-ever Beauty Trend Report suggests beauty is becoming less about following one dominant aesthetic and more about consumers finding increasingly specific ways to express themselves.
M&S offers new Sparks rewards to help consumers save on Christmas Shop
M&S has unveiled three ways for its customers to earn extra money in their Sparks wallets: they can spend on bubbles, flowers or lunches at its cafes. This comes as research from the retailer highlighted 44 per cent of UK shoppers have already made their first Christmas purchase.
The Cotswold Company trials free interior design service
The Cotswold Company has launched a free interior design service at five of its showrooms as it looks to attract more customers into its stores.
Pay by Bank sector poised for growth says survey
Pay by Bank, the digital payment method that allows consumers to pay directly from their bank account without the use of a credit or debit card or typing a PIN, is gaining traction in Europe and the UK suggests recently published research.
Agentic AI and Instant Payments: How Can Banks Reduce Fragmentation?
At Sibos 2026, the Euro Banking Association shares the ways in which banks can combat agentic AI disintermediation and reduce European payment fragmentation. How agentic AI could reshape bank brands and customer loyalty.
Wickes sales surge 6% as DIY shoppers return but caution still looms
Wickes has posted a sharp rise in third-quarter retail sales, although shoppers are continuing to think twice about splashing out on expensive kitchens.
Labubu mania hits Oxford Street as Pop Mart gears up for major flagship opening
Pop Mart is preparing to open its latest London flagship on Oxford Street this week. The Chinese collectibles giant will open the doors to its new store at 149–151 Oxford Street on Friday at 10am, promising exclusive products, special activities and surprises for shoppers.
ChatGPT takes on fashion’s fitting rooms as OpenAI makes major play for shoppers
ChatGPT introduced a new ‘Try on’ button within its shopping results, enabling users to upload a selfie or full-body photo and generate an image of themselves wearing products they are considering buying.
Vinted faces fresh government crackdown as riot-looted goods flood resale sites
Vinted is facing scrutiny from French authorities as it removes listings suspected of selling goods stolen during widespread riots across France.
Mulberry’s comeback gathers pace as sales surge 18%
Mulberry has posted an 18 per cent jump in first-half sales as its push to sell more handbags at full price gets its turnaround back on track.
John Lewis puts 10,000 products on Deliveroo and Uber Eats in 30-minute delivery push
John Lewis is allowing shoppers to order thousands of products through Deliveroo and Uber Eats and have them arrive at their door in as little as 30 minutes.
Why retailers are turning to Klarna as shoppers feel the squeeze
As M&S becomes the latest retailer to partner with Klarna, joining the likes of John Lewis and Boots, are brands widening access to Buy Now Pay Later in response to continued pressure on household budgets? Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services are becoming harder to ignore.
