Bloomberg J. Crew Group Inc. has one persistent bright spot as it tries to revive its business: Madewell. The younger, more casual brand that made its mark in denim said same-store sales, a closely watched measure, skyrocketed 31 percent in the first quarter — nearly triple the 11 percent rise the previous year. Chief Executive Officer Jim Brett is trying …

Bloomberg British consumers are feeling more upbeat about their spending prospects, though they’re still worried about the economic outlook, according to GfK. An index of confidence increased by 2 points in May to minus 7, the market-research firm said in a report published on May 31, with consumers declaring themselves more optimistic about their personal financial situation. They are still …

Bloomberg Deutsche Bank AG’s new chief executive officer, Christian Sewing, suffered a fresh setback in his efforts to reinvigorate Europe’s largest investment bank as S&P Global Ratings cut the lender’s credit rating. S&P reduced the rating by one notch to BBB+, the third-lowest investment grade, citing “significant execution risk” after several management changes and strategy updates in past years. Shares …

Bloomberg The UK markets regulator began toughening rules on banks’ 2.3 billion-pound ($3 billion) overdraft business, while leaving more “radical options” for later. Lenders would need to make overdraft fees clearer and alert customers to potential charges under proposals the Financial Conduct Authority. The London-based regulator said it will now consider stiffer measures such as banning fixed fees and tackling …

Bloomberg The new man who would step into Mario Draghi’s shoes in an emergency has just taken office. Former Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos started his job as European Central Bank vice president. He replaces Vitor Constancio on the same day that the Frankfurt-based institution celebrates its 20th anniversary, in troubled times. Guindos might find himself in a position …

Bloomberg After five deals in six months, Bank of Nova Scotia is taking a breather. “We’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of execution and integrations now, so I think we’ll be fairly quiet on the acquisition front from here on in,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Porter told BNN Bloomberg in a TV interview set to air …

Bloomberg Botswana relies on the gemstones for almost a fifth of its gross domestic product and used the revenue generated from sales to transform the nation from an economic backwater into one of the continent’s wealthiest societies. However, their role is set to diminish over the next 20 years and successive governments have struggled to diversify the economy. Although the …

GENEVA / WAM The UAE and Afghanistan have signed an MoU in the area of labour, on the sidelines of the 107th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The MoU was signed by Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Faizullah Zaki Minister of labour, social affair, Martyrs and disabled of Afghanistan. Al Hamli stated …

GENEVA / WAM To connect the as yet unconnected around the world to the internet is only a first step towards ensuring that all societies participate in an increasingly digital world economy. Best-connected users benefit from internet capacity that is 200 times greater than that of the worst-connected in parts of Africa and Asia. Those left behind will not benefit …

ABU DHABI / WAM As the Saudi ICT market tops SAR 127 billion ($33.87 billion) , cloud investment will fast-track Saudi Vision 2030 goals and Smart Cities growth, according to the newly-appointed MD of Saudi Arabia, SAP. Cloud investment is gathering momentum, with Saudi organisations increasing software spend by 5.5 percent, increasing the Saudi ICT market to SAR 127 billion, …