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| Pets on planes to sex toys: the year's quirkiest business stories | Pets on planes to sex toys: the year's quirkiest business stories |
| (7 days later) | |
| As the UK and world's economies edged towards recovery, we began to see some light at the end of recession's dark tunnel, and along the way, some colour. But while most of us wanted to escape grey news, Ann Summers were extremely happy with that particular shade. In March the sex store chain happily reported a surge in profits over the last two years thanks to the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, and in particular, a run on nipple clamps. Painful to some, but certainly a pleasure to the company's shareholders. | As the UK and world's economies edged towards recovery, we began to see some light at the end of recession's dark tunnel, and along the way, some colour. But while most of us wanted to escape grey news, Ann Summers were extremely happy with that particular shade. In March the sex store chain happily reported a surge in profits over the last two years thanks to the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, and in particular, a run on nipple clamps. Painful to some, but certainly a pleasure to the company's shareholders. |
| Sex to food now, and after a hard winter, a rather less stimulated Greggs blamed "promiscuous" shoppers, as well as the bad weather for a fall in profits. Perhaps the food chain was in need for a run on hot pasties led by the prime minister. But while Gregg served red hot snacks, there were red faces over red fruit at Tesco. The supermarket apologised and paid a £300,000 fine for its "half-price strawberries" – mis-selling the fruit in a deal that trading standards said was misleading. | Sex to food now, and after a hard winter, a rather less stimulated Greggs blamed "promiscuous" shoppers, as well as the bad weather for a fall in profits. Perhaps the food chain was in need for a run on hot pasties led by the prime minister. But while Gregg served red hot snacks, there were red faces over red fruit at Tesco. The supermarket apologised and paid a £300,000 fine for its "half-price strawberries" – mis-selling the fruit in a deal that trading standards said was misleading. |
| Food is big in Britain, but even in bigger in Europe. So what's the connection? Well, as the eurosceptic cauldron continued to bubble, Finnish prime minister Jyrki Katainen said in January that the European Union wouldn't be the same without Britain – in fact it would be like "fish without chips". Which is Britain then, the fish or the chips, and hey – what is he saying about our fine cuisine? | Food is big in Britain, but even in bigger in Europe. So what's the connection? Well, as the eurosceptic cauldron continued to bubble, Finnish prime minister Jyrki Katainen said in January that the European Union wouldn't be the same without Britain – in fact it would be like "fish without chips". Which is Britain then, the fish or the chips, and hey – what is he saying about our fine cuisine? |
| With perhaps one eye on Ukip, David Cameron promised a referendum on the European Union if he won the next general election. And with that in mind, thinktank the Institute of Economic Affairs launched the $100,000 Brexit prize to give to anyone who finds best plan for UK if it leaves the European Union. Hang on, shouldn't that prize money be in sterling? | With perhaps one eye on Ukip, David Cameron promised a referendum on the European Union if he won the next general election. And with that in mind, thinktank the Institute of Economic Affairs launched the $100,000 Brexit prize to give to anyone who finds best plan for UK if it leaves the European Union. Hang on, shouldn't that prize money be in sterling? |
| Whatever Britain thinks about Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development thinks Britain is brilliant. It's a great place to live to work, said the Paris thinktank, ahead of Germany, the US and Japan, although inequality here is rising faster than other countries since the financial crisis began. But Britain is up there with Switzerland in the OECD's Better Life Index. That's right, Switzerland and Britain – they are almost the same. Quality of life indeed. | |
| BT is great too, some suggest, and perhaps with this in mind, England are getting more likely to win the World Cup. The group successfully launched its sports channel and began to show a selection of Premiership games. Newly recruited presenter Clare Balding was very upbeat at the BT launch and said the FA's finest will indeed win the trophy, although she was talking about the women's competition. | BT is great too, some suggest, and perhaps with this in mind, England are getting more likely to win the World Cup. The group successfully launched its sports channel and began to show a selection of Premiership games. Newly recruited presenter Clare Balding was very upbeat at the BT launch and said the FA's finest will indeed win the trophy, although she was talking about the women's competition. |
| Britain and banking are two subjects closely aligned, and none more so in 2013 than at the Chelsea flower show where it was revealed that those financial brains love to meet at the show to network among the narcissi. Meanwhile outgoing Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King got to depart in a blaze of colour when he was given a life peerage. Happy retirement, Sir Mervyn. | Britain and banking are two subjects closely aligned, and none more so in 2013 than at the Chelsea flower show where it was revealed that those financial brains love to meet at the show to network among the narcissi. Meanwhile outgoing Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King got to depart in a blaze of colour when he was given a life peerage. Happy retirement, Sir Mervyn. |
| The Bank of England made many announcements about money in 2013, but when we're talking money, we mean the stuff you actually hold in your hand. Paper notes will fade away, but polymer money won't and is on its way in, the Bank announced. But is polymer foldable, washable, and handy for er … magic tricks, asked some readers? Good questions. In other money news, the £20 coin was launched by the royal mint in October, but one expert trader said that it would only be worth £8. Talk about short-changing … | |
| Banking is never short of controversy, but one ex-employee's career took an interesting twist. Former Goldman Sachs secretary Joyti Waswani, who was jailed in 2004 for stealing more than £4m from her banker bosses has landed a job coaching white-collar criminals in how to cope with a prison term. | Banking is never short of controversy, but one ex-employee's career took an interesting twist. Former Goldman Sachs secretary Joyti Waswani, who was jailed in 2004 for stealing more than £4m from her banker bosses has landed a job coaching white-collar criminals in how to cope with a prison term. |
| Meanwhile another former banker, ex-Barclays chief Bob Diamond raised a few more eyebrows by revealing in an interview that he wasn't in banking for the money. He broke silence for the first since he was ousted over Libor scandal, saying he owns just one 11-year-old car. | Meanwhile another former banker, ex-Barclays chief Bob Diamond raised a few more eyebrows by revealing in an interview that he wasn't in banking for the money. He broke silence for the first since he was ousted over Libor scandal, saying he owns just one 11-year-old car. |
| Talking of rich men, one who was definitely in it for the money complained he didn't get the recognition he deserved. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said he was insulted at only being No 26 on Forbes rich list. The Saudi Arabia businessman, one of the most influential in the Middle East, said he has been undervalued by $9.6bn Another billionaire, meanwhile, was so undervalued by Reuters, they pronounced him dead by releasing an obituary. Oops. George Soros is still very much alive at the time of writing. | |
| More rich pickings came thick and fast the world of technology this year. BlackBerry struggled, and warned of a 40% staff cut in September, but that didn't stop bosses buying a private jet just two months before in July. | |
| In more tech news, Apple did rather well from its new iPhone 5, but let's not forget the $22bn made for the company in just one year by clever Cathy Kearney, the Irish accountant living in Cork. | In more tech news, Apple did rather well from its new iPhone 5, but let's not forget the $22bn made for the company in just one year by clever Cathy Kearney, the Irish accountant living in Cork. |
| However, perhaps the most bizarre tech-related business story actually came from a fashion retailer. Asos had to pull a line of studded belts due to a radioactive scare. Tested positive for Cobalt-60, it was deemed they would pose a danger to the wearer after 500 hours of use. | However, perhaps the most bizarre tech-related business story actually came from a fashion retailer. Asos had to pull a line of studded belts due to a radioactive scare. Tested positive for Cobalt-60, it was deemed they would pose a danger to the wearer after 500 hours of use. |
| Home is where the heart is, and we have technology to thank for that, according to Ofcom with the regulator saying that tablets and phones are bringing families together as viewers gather round TVs with handheld devices in the living room. | Home is where the heart is, and we have technology to thank for that, according to Ofcom with the regulator saying that tablets and phones are bringing families together as viewers gather round TVs with handheld devices in the living room. |
| That was in August, but what about in the thick of winter, when families can't afford to pay their heating bills? Well, British Gas hinted in July that they might offer "Free Power Saturdays". Warms the cockles, doesn't it, but there's no sign of that actually happening, is there? | That was in August, but what about in the thick of winter, when families can't afford to pay their heating bills? Well, British Gas hinted in July that they might offer "Free Power Saturdays". Warms the cockles, doesn't it, but there's no sign of that actually happening, is there? |
| Now for some transports of delight. No roundup of the year in business would be complete without colourful outpouring from Ryanair's Michael O'Leary, and he did not disappoint with his Twitter debut. Posing before his laptop in a green hat and leprechaun beard, he admitted that his charm offensive stirred a mixed reaction. And after his airline came last in a Which? customer survey, the O'Leary said his airline must stop upsetting people. Hmm, yes, perhaps that's right. | |
| From planes to trains, back in February National Express announced that it had won contracts to run two commuter rail routes in Germany. What should German travellers expect, we asked. | From planes to trains, back in February National Express announced that it had won contracts to run two commuter rail routes in Germany. What should German travellers expect, we asked. |
| Whatever they said, surely this other idea would be faster. PayPal founder Elon Musk unveiled plans for Hyperloop transport system which will be a cross between "Concorde and a railgun and an air hockey table". Watch out National Express, you've got a rival. | |
| And now, finally, good news for four-legged flyers and pet importer Airpets. With pet owners digging deep and keen to take their fluffy ones abroad, animal courier firms reported a big rise in dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish and rabbits flown overseas, but not hamsters apparently – it's way too expensive. Flying in a hamster from New York plus the legally enforced four-month stay in the quarantine cages would cost at least £2,000. Poor little hamster. Let's stay at home this year. Happy Christmas. | And now, finally, good news for four-legged flyers and pet importer Airpets. With pet owners digging deep and keen to take their fluffy ones abroad, animal courier firms reported a big rise in dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish and rabbits flown overseas, but not hamsters apparently – it's way too expensive. Flying in a hamster from New York plus the legally enforced four-month stay in the quarantine cages would cost at least £2,000. Poor little hamster. Let's stay at home this year. Happy Christmas. |
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