Tesco is swapping barcodes for QR codes on a range of its own-brand products in a move the supermarket chain is describing as a UK "first". 
German media group Axel Springer has finalized its £575m acquisition of The Telegraph, concluding three years of ownership uncertainty. The deal, which received regulatory approval in the UK, Ireland, and Austria, aims to boost the newspaper's digital transformation and expand its reach, particularly in the US.
Nationwide Building Society is cutting 600 jobs across Nationwide and Virgin Money following its £2.9bn takeover of Virgin Money, primarily affecting back-office staff due to duplicated roles. The move has drawn criticism from unions and reignited controversy over executive pay and member voting rights.
The European Commission is introducing a new €3 customs charge on small parcels under €150 from Wednesday, ending a 'de minimis' exemption. This aims to curb cheap Chinese imports, protect European retailers from platforms like Shein and Temu, and address the high rate of non-compliant products endangering consumers.
The EU and China have initiated three months of trade talks in Brussels to address the EU's €360bn annual trade deficit, aiming to prevent a trade war through dialogue on rebalancing trade, export controls, intellectual property, and WTO reforms.
Almost 9% of UK government spending on contractors (c. £24.4bn) went to private equity-controlled companies in 2025, raising concerns over profit-driven management of public services like healthcare, transport, and waste management
Ocado CEO Tim Steiner has received nearly £100m in payouts since the company's 2010 IPO, despite the share price languishing below its flotation level. Analysis by the High Pay Centre raises concerns over pay proportionality and fairness, as Steiner's future is discussed amid board succession planning.
