Business
Post-COVID era of hybrid work beckons in UK
Consultant Rachel Watson enjoys being based at her home that looks onto the London skyline but misses the office vibe. She will soon get the best of both worlds as Britain's COVID lockdown eases. UK businesses are planning for a hybrid or flexible workplace, splitting time between home and offices… Read
Toshiba sets up team to review buyout plan by CVC Capital
Toshiba Corp. has set up a team to review a buyout offer by British private equity firm CVC Capital Partners to make the Japanese electronics and infrastructure giant private, sources close to the matter said. Toshiba President and CEO Nobuaki Kurumatani told reporters the company will discuss the matter "at… Read
After Amazon: Labor tries to regroup in wake of Alabama loss
Despite the strongest public support and the most sympathetic president in years, the American labor movement just suffered a stinging defeat -- again. Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, overwhelmingly voted against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in much-anticipated election results announced Friday. Amazon and business groups… Read
Japanese beermaker Asahi looks to halve debt after buying Australia assets
Japan's Asahi Group Holdings said it will aim to halve its debt and forego overseas investments after spending $11 billion to buy the Australian operations of Anheuser-Busch InBev. "Basically, we are not considering any large-scale acquisitions," said Atsushi Katsuki, who became Asahi's new chief executive in March. The owner of… Read
COVID-19 variants could hit Tokyo economy by extra ¥4 tril
University of Tokyo economists estimate the Japanese capital could see an additional 4 trillion yen economic hit if highly contagious coronavirus variants spread quickly across the city, but says the impact can be mitigated if infections are slowed. A relatively speedy spread of mutations in Tokyo could leave the capital… Read
Long road ahead for buyout offer, Toshiba board chair warns
A British hedge fund's buyout offer for Toshiba faces a long road, including seeking regulatory approval and additional financing, the chairman of the Japanese firm's board warned Friday. CVC Capital Partners is reportedly considering a 30 percent premium over Toshiba's current share price, valuing the deal at more than $20… Read
Amazon warehouse workers reject union bid in Alabama
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama handed the online retail giant a decisive victory when they voted against forming a union and cut off a path that labor activists had hoped would lead to similar efforts throughout the company and beyond. After months of aggressive campaigning from both… Read
China's consumer and factory prices rise in March
Factory prices in China climbed further in March, growing at the fastest pace in more than two years, official data showed Friday -- backed by a rise in commodity prices and the country's economic recovery from COVID-19. The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the… Read
Toyota unveils new cars with advanced driving assist technology
Toyota Motor Corp on Thursday unveiled its new Lexus and Mirai models in Japan, equipped with the company's latest advanced driver assistance that enables safe driving and wireless software updates. The carmaker's new driving assist technology, or Advanced Drive, is a level 2 autonomous system that helps drivers with driving… Read
Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing raises profit outlook
Uniqlo's parent company Fast Retailing said Thursday it expects a stronger rebound in full-year operating profit driven by a solid performance in East Asian countries hit less hard by virus lockdowns. The Japanese clothing empire forecast 2020/21 operating profit of 255 billion yen ($2.3 billion) -- up slightly from its… Read
