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Photo: Ocado Group plc / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Ocado to build large European automated CFC

Ocado announced a large, highly automated Customer Fulfilment Centre for a fast-growing European national retailer, using its Re:Imagined technology like 600s bots and an automated freezer, with go-live slated for FY28 and initial operations at just over half capacity. The deal, part of ongoing expansion alongside its Asda agreement, is not expected to have a material impact on FY26 and Ocado remains focused on achieving cash-flow positive performance in the near term.

9 sources

Global SThree H1 Profit Drop, Guidance Maintained

SThree reported for the six months to 31 May 2026 that revenue fell to about £598.8m and pretax profit tumbled 75% to £2.7m, with non-recurring costs from a cost-optimization program weighing on earnings, though cash and a share buyback reduced net debt slightly and momentum improved in the US and Japan. Despite a mixed market, the group reiterated guidance for FY26 pretax profit around £10m, citing ongoing strategic simplifications, a cloud-based platform, and resilience in its contract business amid weaker hiring in parts of Europe.

6 sources

Photo: Johnvedwards / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Frasers surpasses 30% Hugo Boss stake, triggers bid

Frasers Group has pushed its Hugo Boss stake above the 30% threshold, triggering a mandatory takeover bid for the remaining shares, and now holds about 30.28% of the stock. The €38-per-share offer remains open until 27 July, while Hugo Boss has urged investors not to accept, saying the price undervalues the business.

12 sources

UK unemployment holds at 4.9% in May

UK unemployment stayed at 4.9% for the three months to May 2026, even as payroll data showed a drop in company payrolls and vacancies continued to ease, pointing to a mixed jobs picture. Wages remained firm, with regular pay at about 3.4% and total pay higher, while employment rose overall and second jobs increased, underscoring a still-tight but gradually softening labor market.

17 sources

Photo: gren / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

LSE plans night-time trading venue 2027

The London Stock Exchange plans a dedicated overnight trading venue in 2027 that will run from 5:00 pm to 7:50 am London time, initially offering exchange-traded products while leaving the main market’s hours unchanged. The move, touted by LSE chief executive Julia Hoggett as meeting growing retail demand and competition from 24/7 crypto platforms, will also position the LSE to support future AI-driven trading tools.

12 sources

Photo: Daniel Torok / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs on Canada Goods

President Donald Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act to impose 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods in retaliation for Canada’s actions against American autos, dairy, and alcohol, with the levies taking effect in 30 days and exemptions for energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals. The move, described as a response to retaliation rather than a full-blown trade war, signals renewed tensions with Canada and could affect cross-border trade and prices as negotiations continue.

18 sources

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