Challenges facing m commerce

Amazon's move to scrap free delivery on orders below £10 has hit profits at Royal Mail, sending its shares down to their lowest level since the postal service's controversial flotation last October. In a trading update ahead of its first annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, the 500-year-old institution warned that the performance of its crucial parcels business had been weaker than expected. The shares, floated at 330p, were the second biggest faller in the FTSE 100, losing 16p to finish at 450p. In January they were changing hands at 615p. Chief executive Moya Greene said the business was facing increasingly tough competition, with parcels revenue – supposed to be the driver of growth in the business – down 1% over the three months to the end of June. Overall revenues were up 2% over the three months to the end of June as a result of a rise in election mailouts in the run-up to the May elections and the March increase in stamp prices, which saw the cost of a first … [Read more...] about Royal Mail share price falls as Amazon parcel rethink hurts revenue

By Jenny Leonard, Shawn Donnan and Niu Shuping Chinese officials expect President Donald Trump to delay a threatened tariff increase set for Sunday, giving more time to negotiate an interim trade deal that both sides continue to insist is close to fruition despite a series of missed deadlines, according to people familiar with the discussions. The two sides, staying in almost daily contact, have also come closer to an agreement on scaling back the tariffs already in place. But rather than removing or rolling back existing levies, the focus has been on reducing the rate of the tariffs already in effect, according to officials and other people familiar with the talks. The Trump administration has so far not sent a clear signal on its willingness to agree to a delay on tariffs set to take effect on Dec. 15 on a list comprising some $160 billion of imports from China including consumer items like smartphones and toys. “It’s the president’s decision,” White House … [Read more...] about China sees US delaying December 15 tariff hike as talks drag

It’s not all about us. Brexit means Brexit. Theresa May has made it clear that it is she who will ultimately decide what that means. But the prime minister is deluding herself. And I’m not convinced that, despite the recent high court ruling, the House of Commons is about to shape our negotiating strategy. Our fate lies not only in the government’s hands, but also in those of our European partners. This is all down to the rules of the game. Forget article 50. The real issue is that the deal that the UK strikes with its partners about our future economic relations with the EU will require unanimous ratification, not by leaders meeting in the European council but, rather, by parliaments across the EU (of which, if you include those regions with voting rights, there are 38). Many, if not most, of the other member states enjoy pretty healthy levels of trade with the UK. This provides an economic incentive for all parties to come to an amicable settlement that preserves … [Read more...] about Bad news for leavers – the EU has bigger priorities than Brexit