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☆ Ratcliffe to invest extra $300 mln on top of 25% stake in Manchester United -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Anirban Sen | Thomson Reuters | Anirban Sen Is The Editor In Charge For U.S. M A At Reuters In New York | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares in United rose 4% to $18.85 on the news, which was first reported by Sky News. Manchester United declined to respond to a Reuters request for comment. Ratcliffe founded Ineos in 1998 and is the chemical group's chairman and chief executive officer, with a two-thirds stake. Record 20-time English champions, United have more than 650 million fans worldwide, according to market research firm Kantar. ($1 = 0.8110 pound)Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jim Ratcliffe, Ratcliffe, Glazer, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al, Ineos, Erik ten Hag, Prerna Bedi, Shinjini Ganguli, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Premier, Sky News, Manchester United, Reuters, Forbes, Ligue, Nice, Swiss Super League, FC Lausanne, Racing Club Abidjan, Ivory Coast Ligue, Grenadiers, United, League, Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Manchester, United, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, Ineos, British, Bengaluru

☆ Amazon algorithm juiced prices, cost US consumers $1 billion new FTC lawsuit documents allege
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It has earned Amazon more than $1 billion from US households, newly unredacted portions of the suit allege. Public revelationsThe complaint’s newly unsealed portions, filed Thursday in Seattle federal court, uncover a wide range of previously non-public allegations. More than 70% of Amazon shoppers do not click past the first page of search results, according to the unsealed complaint. In another situation, Amazon allegedly took steps to promote its own, proprietary products — such as the Amazon Kindle tablet — as having been recommended by expert reviewers when the Amazon products had not earned such a recommendation. If the Amazon price went up, the competing retailers would increase their prices as well, according to the complaint.

Persons: Amazon’s, Jeff Bezos, Biden, ”, Tim Doyle, ” Doyle, “, Nessie, David Zapolsky Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, FTC, Amazon Prime Locations: Seattle, Bezos

Amazon flooded its search results with irrelevant "defect" ads at the direction of Founder Jeff Bezos, pumping Amazon profits while steering shoppers to higher-priced goods, the Federal Trade Commission alleged in a newly unredacted portion of its antitrust lawsuit against the company. Amazon began running ads on its site over a decade ago, allowing brands and sellers to bid for higher placement in search results to have their product stand out from competitors. Amazon in 2022 began breaking out advertising revenue in its quarterly earnings reports, revealing just how big the business has become. Last month, Amazon said its ad business brought in more than $12 billion in revenue in the third quarter. "Kantar, an independent data and insights firm, found Amazon's advertising to be the most useful and relevant to customers around the world."

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Bezos, David Zapolsky, Tim Doyle Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook Locations: U.S

☆ Sainsbury’s gain is private equity’s pain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Red hot competition in the UK grocery market is favoring the largest players. Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts reckons the 6.5 billion pound group has been taking market share from rivals including discounters Aldi and Lidl. That may not be good news for Sainsbury’s smaller peers like Morrisons and Asda, owned by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and EG Group respectively. Both Sainsbury’s and Tesco have held their market shares relatively stable since 2021, when CD&R bought Wm Morrison. Sainsbury’s is currently valued at 5 times forward EBITDA, according to LSEG data.

Persons: J Sainsbury’s, Simon Roberts reckons, Wm Morrison, Aimee Donnellan, Aston Martin, Neil Unmack, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Aldi, Tesco, Clayton, Rice, EG, R, Asda, Morrisons, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Britain’s, Asda, Dubilier

☆ Microsoft releases big Windows 11 update with Copilot AI assistant included
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Microsoft on Tuesday said it started rolling out the next major update to its Windows 11 PC operating system. Windows 11 now represents about 24% of desktop PCs, according to StatCounter data, while Windows 10, which will be supported until October 2025, controls almost 72% of the market. After that, Windows 11, which debuted in 2021, could become more popular. Copilot is probably the biggest part of this year's Windows 11 release. Here's a list of some of the other new features of the Windows 11 2023 Update, also known as 23H2:A virtual video editor.

Persons: OpenAI, Siri, Satya Nadella, It's, Clipchamp, You'll, Notepad Organizations: Microsoft, Windows, Bluetooth, BP, RBC, Adobe, Bing, Google Locations: Kantar, United Kingdom, India, OneDrive, North America, Asia, South America

The move leaves the remaining bidder for Manchester United, Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe, in a stronger position. The exact value that Ratcliffe's bid infers on Manchester United could not be learned, but the sources said it was higher than Jassim's offer of more than $6 billion. Manchester United is currently valued by the stock market at $3.3 billion. Representatives for Jassim declined to comment while Manchester United and Ratcliffe representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Record 20-time English champions, Manchester United has over 650 million fans worldwide, according to market research firm Kantar.

Persons: Phil Noble Livepic, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, Glazer, Jim Ratcliffe, Jassim, Ratcliffe, Todd Boehly, Malcolm Glazer, Alex Ferguson's, Erik ten Hag, Anirban Sen, Mrinmay Dey, Chizu Organizations: Soccer, Manchester United, Europa League, Friends, Reuters, Manchester United Plc, Representatives, Sky News, Chelsea Football Club, Clearlake, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Stockholm, Sweden, Manchester, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Exclusive: Ratcliffe would pay more than $1.5 bln for 25% Manchester United stake-source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Anirban Sen | Thomson Reuters | Anirban Sen Is The Editor In Charge For U.S. M A At Reuters In New York | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

That is slightly higher than a rival offer from Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani for $100% of the Premier League club. Manchester United is currently valued by the stock market at $3.3 billion. Sheikh Jassim informed the Glazer family in the last few days that he would not be raising his bid further. Ratcliffe has offered to be in charge of hiring and managing talent at Manchester United should his bid prevail, the source said. Manchester United and Ratcliffe did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Jim Ratcliffe, Glazer, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al, Sheikh Jassim, Ratcliffe, Malcolm Glazer, Ineos, Todd Boehly, Erik ten Hag, Anirban Sen, Greg Roumeliotis, Sandra Maler, Diane Craft Organizations: Manchester United Plc, Manchester United, Premier League, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Forbes, Ligue, Nice, Swiss Super League, FC Lausanne, Racing Club Abidjan, Ivory Coast Ligue, Grenadiers, Chelsea Football Club, Clearlake, Manchester, League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Qatar's, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, Manchester, Ineos, British, New York

☆ Meet the Climate-Defying Fruits and Vegetables in Your Future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Kim Severson | More About Kim Severson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It can take them years or even decades to perfect a new variety of fruit or vegetable that tastes better, grows faster or stays fresh longer. But their work has taken on a new urgency in the face of an increasingly erratic climate. Recent floods left more than a third of California’s table grapes rotting on the vine. Breeding new crops that can thrive under these assaults is a long game. And, of course, the new fruits and vegetables have to taste good.

Persons: ”, Michael Kantar Organizations: University of Hawai’i Locations: Manoa

☆ Price-conscious Britons boost Lidl GB revenues by 19%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] People queue outside Lidl supermarket in Streatham, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain, March 29, 2020. Lidl GB and rival discounter Aldi UK are Britain's fastest growing grocers, according to market researcher Kantar. For the 12 months to Feb. 28, 2023, Lidl GB said it welcomed an additional 1.5 million customers, driving revenues up to 9.3 billion pounds, but the company, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, posted a pre-tax loss of 76 million pounds ($94.97 million). Lidl GB, Britain's sixth largest supermarket with a market share of 7.6%, has in the past said it is relaxed about its relatively low profitability because of its long-term outlook. It said in a statement it had the full support of its parent company, adding it has invested 533 million pounds in Britain in the year and opened over 50 new stores.

Persons: Hannah McKay, discounter, Kantar, Germany's Schwarz, Sarah Young, James Davey, Elizabeth Piper Organizations: REUTERS, discounter Aldi, Tesco, Lidl, Thomson Locations: Streatham, London, Britain, British, Germany's

☆ UK grocery inflation cools to lowest level in a year -Kantar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Market researcher Kantar said annual grocery inflation was 12.2% in the four weeks to Sept. 3, down from 12.7% in its August report. The Kantar data going into September provides the most up-to-date snapshot of UK grocery inflation. Official data published last month showed overall inflation in July was 6.8%, with food inflation at 14.9%. Kantar said UK grocery sales rose 7.4% over the four-week period on a value basis. UK supermarkets' market share and sales growth (%)Source: KantarReporting by James Davey; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kantar, Fraser McKevitt, James Davey, Leslie Adler Organizations: Conservative, Bank of England, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl, Thomson

☆ Waitrose cuts more prices as Britain's food inflation picture improves
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

UK food price inflation reached its highest since 1977 in March at over 19%. This official measure slowed to 14.9% in July and, while industry data showed it at 11.5% in August, rising food prices remain a major strain on the finances of many households. Monthly industry data has consistently shown Waitrose losing market share and underperforming rivals including industry leader Tesco (TSCO.L) and No. Earlier this month researcher Kantar said Waitrose had a UK grocery market share of 4.4%, down 0.2 percentage points year-on-year. While all British supermarkets have reduced the prices of some products in recent months, researcher the Institute of Grocery Distribution has said that UK food price inflation will still be around 9% in December.

Persons: Peter Cziborra, Kantar, Waitrose, James Davey, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Waitrose, REUTERS, Bank of England, John Lewis Partnership, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, of Grocery, Retailers, Thomson Locations: Harpenden, Britain, India

☆ How an empathy-first approach can help businesses increase profitability
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Paypal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

78% of global consumers said they will be more loyal to businesses that help them through difficult times. of global consumers said they will be more loyal to businesses that help them through difficult times. These activities not only help make businesses more competitive, they also show workers that employers care about their professional growth. Here are three strategies businesses are using to help consumers navigate economic instability. 5 Le Parisien, Carrefour launches an online 'anti-inflation button' to help consumers buy cheaper, Nov 2022.

Persons: Joanne Hsu, upskilling, there's, that's, Agrobank, PwC, Kantar Organizations: PayPal, TrendWatching, Consumers, University of Michigan, Carrefour, Entrepreneurship, Insider Studios Locations: verticals, Malaysia

The findings come as support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his coalition slumps and the AfD capitalises on voter insecurity. German inflation has been on a downward trend, but is still much higher than the European Union's 2% target. Low and middle income households have been generally hit harder by inflation, Florian Dorn, a researcher at Ifo told Reuters. Although higher energy import prices initially drove inflation in Europe and Germany, companies were also putting up prices beyond their cost inflation, WSI analysis showed. Companies' profit inflation rose by 7% in 2022 compared to an only 3.3% rise in labour costs.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Florian Dorn, Ulrich Schneider, Der, Riham, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Kantar Public, Ifo, Reuters, Workers, Companies, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Europe's, Europe

NEW YORK, July 23 (Reuters) - It is Barbie’s world, and U.S. small businesses hope their social-media marketing can help them cash in on it. But as Mattel-licensed Barbie marketing and products flood big companies' stores, hotel suites and social media posts, small firms also seek to capitalize on the hype. “Small businesses may look at the Barbie promotions and dream of that kind of budget and mass brand awareness,” said Brianne Fleming, an adjunct marketing instructor at University of Florida. MoonFire, an arts boutique based in Dallas, Texas, hosted a Barbie-themed collaboration in person with ten small businesses selling hot-pink, Barbie-inspired products. So, for small businesses, the strategy is to be a quick follower,” he said.

Persons: Barbie, “ Barbie, Inditex’s Zara, ”, Brianne Fleming, there's, Iris, Wilglory Tanjong, Kimberly Wagner, Ken, Mica Garbarino, “ Barbie ”, Walker Smith, Smith, “, gatekeepers, Josie Kao, Nick Zieminski Organizations: YORK, Google, Mattel, University of Florida, Monday, Kailyn, Thomson Locations: Malibu, Friday’s, Airbnb, Instagram, New York City, New York, Blue Curacao, grenadine, Dallas , Texas, Soho, Kailyn Rhone

[1/3] The sign outside the Sam's Club is seen at its store in Shanghai, China July 12, 2023. The membership stores are also gaining ground amid a sales decline in China's hypermarket sector, which struggled with a shift towards online purchases during the pandemic. The club warehouse format "is the only bright spot," said Derek Deng, who leads Bain & Company's consumer products practice in greater China. "Sam's Club are doing well. But Sam's Club was ultimately confident it is currently miles ahead, one of the people said.

Persons: Aly, Liu Zheng, lockdowns, Derek Deng, Bain, Kantar Worldpanel, Judith McKenna, Bain's Deng, Christina Zhu, Sophie Yu, Brenda Goh, Jamie Freed Organizations: Sam's, REUTERS, Sam's Club, Costco, Walmart, HK, Freshippo, Carrefour, Yonghui, Bain, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, Sun, Retail, M, Beijing Yaodi Agriculture, M Club, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, BEIJING, Beijing, U.S, United States, Carrefour China, Peking, Yangzhou, Lanzhou, Sam's

☆ UK grocery inflation continues downward trajectory -Kantar
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Market researcher Kantar said annual grocery inflation was 14.9% in the four weeks to July 9, falling 1.6 percentage points from the 16.5% in its June data set. The Conservative government's key pledge to halve inflation in 2023 ahead of a probable election in 2024 has been undermined by stubbornly high food inflation. The Kantar data going into July provides the most up to date snapshot of UK grocery inflation. Official data for overall UK inflation in June will be published on Wednesday. The researcher said UK grocery sales rose 10.4% over the four week period year-on-year on a value basis.

Persons: Kantar, Fraser McKevitt, James Davey, Aurora Ellis Organizations: LONDON, Conservative, Bank of England, Tesco, Iceland Foods, Aldi, Lidl, Thomson

☆ 3 ways financial services companies can attract and retain new customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Think With Google With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Financial services providers can take several steps today to attract and retain new generations of consumers. Before financial services went digital, it was difficult to seamlessly transition from one institution to another. According to Google's report, 52% of adult consumers – and 71% of millennials – expect their financial services brands to coach their customers. To attract and retain more customers, financial services companies should:Position their brands as providers of personalized support and care. At a time when consumer behavior is rapidly changing, financial services companies cannot afford to remain static.

Persons: John Dokes, it's, There's, Z Organizations: Financial, Google, Consumers, YouTube, Brands, Insider Studios, Financial Services Locations: U.S

☆ Exclusive: NielsenIQ's GfK deal set for conditional EU antitrust approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, June 28 (Reuters) - Advent-owned NielsenIQ is set to secure EU antitrust clearance for its proposed acquisition of German market research firm GfK on the condition GfK sells its consumer panel business, people familiar with the matter said. U.S. consumer market research company NielsenIQ, which is present in more than 90 markets covering more than 90% of the world's population, announced the deal a year ago. GfK's consumer panel business covers 122,500 households and 1,800 retailers, with its data showing patterns, trends and predictions. The European Commission, which is scheduled to complete its preliminary review of the deal by July 4, declined to comment. The list includes French peer Ipsos, the UK's Kantar, YouGov, Dynata, Circana, Omnicon Group, Publicis Group, Cision and private equity firms such as H.I.G.

Persons: Ipsos, Foo Yun Chee, Jan Harvey, Barbara Lewis Organizations: European Commission, EU, Omnicon, Publicis, Equity, Bregal, Oakley, Symphony Technology, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, TowerBrook, Equistone

☆ Most consumers believe financial services companies all offer the same thing. The right differentiation strategy can help you win them over.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Think With Google With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Consumers, especially Gen Z and millennials, want a financial services partner that offers personalization, interactive learning opportunities, and virtual customer service. The financial services industry is in the midst of an identity crisis. "We have seen an explosion of options within the finance services industry in recent years," said Seth van der Swaagh, managing director of financial services at Google. Fast Facts 63% of consumers believe all car insurance companies offer the same thing. Support at every stage of the financial services journeyMore than half of consumers (52%) expect financial services brands to coach their customers.

Persons: Seth van der, they're, van der, wasn't, van der Swaagh Organizations: Google, Financial, YouTube, Insider Studios, Financial Services, Kantar Monitor Locations: Kantar, U.S

☆ Online's share of UK grocery market dips as heat pushes shoppers to stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Online was 10.4% of total UK grocery market in JuneStores saw extra 34 mln visits year-on-yearM&S is fastest growing grocer after discountersLONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - Online's share of Britain's grocery market slowed further in June as hot weather encouraged shoppers to visit stores for drinks and refreshments, industry data showed on Tuesday. Online's share of the total grocery market in Britain was about 7% before COVID-19. "It’s no surprise that online grocery sales have taken a bit of a hit as there was less of a need to order in a big grocery shop." Total grocery sales rose 12.4% over the four weeks, with sales in the week to June 17 hitting 2.9 billion pounds - the second strongest week this year behind Easter. Marks & Spencer's (MKS.L) sales rose 15.4%, keeping its spot as the fastest growing after the discounters.

Persons: NIQ, Mike Watkins, NIQ’s, Kantar, James Davey, Aurora Ellis Organizations: LONDON, Aldi, Lidl, British Retail Consortium, Thomson Locations: Britain

☆ UK grocery inflation edges lower for third straight month -Kantar
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Market researcher Kantar said annual grocery inflation was 16.5% in the four weeks to June 11, down from 17.2% in its May data set. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's key pledge to halve inflation in 2023 has been undermined by persistently high food inflation. "Price rises are now being compared to the increasing rate of grocery inflation seen last summer, which means that it should continue to fall in the coming months," he said. Market leader Tesco (TSCO.L) said on Friday food inflation was starting to ease and it was hopeful it would moderate through the year. The Kantar data for June provides the most up to date snapshot of UK grocery inflation.

Persons: Kantar, Rishi Sunak's, Fraser McKevitt, Price, James Davey, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reading, Bank of England, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Thomson

☆ Britain's M&S the latest supermarket to cut prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies M&S cuts prices of 70 products, holds prices of 150Morrisons cuts prices of 47 productsMoves follow other reductions across sectorBank of England keeping close eye on food inflationLONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) on Monday became the latest supermarket group in Britain to cut food prices, adding to signs that a surge in inflation is set to abate. M&S cut the price of 70 staple products, such as beef mince, Greek style yoghurt, salmon fillets, chickpeas and tortilla wraps, by between 3% and 25%. Also on Monday, Morrisons, Britain's fifth largest supermarket group, said it was cutting the prices of 47 products by an average of over 25%. On Friday, market leader Tesco (TSCO.L), said Britain's food inflation has peaked. EXPLAINER-Why is UK food inflation so stubbornly high?

Persons: Spencer, Rishi Sunak's, Kantar, James Davey, Kylie MacLellan, Susan Fenton Organizations: Bank of England, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Thomson Locations: Britain

☆ British supermarket Morrisons cuts prices of nearly 50 products
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - British supermarket Morrisons said on Monday it was cutting the prices of 47 products by an average of over 25%, in another sign that a surge in inflation might be set to abate. Morrisons, Britain's fifth largest supermarket group, said products subject to the latest price cuts included beef mince, ham, tomatoes, spinach and wholemeal pittas. On Friday, market leader Tesco (TSCO.L), said Britain's food inflation has peaked. 2 Sainsbury's (SBRY.L) reduced the price of toilet paper, and upmarket grocer Waitrose reduced the price of over 200 products. EXPLAINER-Why is UK food inflation so stubbornly high?

Persons: Rishi Sunak's, Kantar, James Davey, Alistair Bell Organizations: British, Morrisons, Bank of England, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Thomson

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