Money Cucumber

Alibaba has bought e-commerce business, Kaola, from NetEase for about $2 billion, adding a platform that specializes in supplying curated luxury goods from abroad to domestic consumers . Alibaba, which is looking for new revenue drivers as the e-commerce market at home matures, will also invest $700 million for a minority stake in Netease’s music streaming arm as it takes on Chinese market leader Tencent Music. The long-rumored Kaola deal and the music investment highlight at once a defensive move to keep niche growth players out of the hands of e-commerce rivals such as Pinduoduo and Alibaba’s flexibility in adopting new strategies . Kaola, launched by NetEase in 2015, aggressively targets shoppers in China by offering products from top brands such as Gucci, Shisheido and Burberry, primarily sourcing goods directly from suppliers to resell to consumers. Its more curated product line up based on popularity ensures it a loyal consumer base of shoppers, whereas Alibaba’s Tmall a

Belfast International is the UK’s worst airport for 2019 , according to an annual survey by consumer group Which? Passengers passing through Northern Ireland’s busiest airport expressed frustration over long queues, crowds and poor shopping options. It received a customer approval rating of just 42%, scoring one star in the categories of seating, staffing and queuing at security. A spokeswoman for the airport acknowledged it had faced “significant operational challenges” in the last 18 months, but said passenger satisfaction levels were improving since a £1m upgrade to security facilities. She said the airport had made “considerable strides” to improve the passenger experience, including through enhanced” food and drink options in the new Northern Quarter facility. London  Luton (43%) came in second-to-last place in the Which? ranking after spending three consecutive years as the UK’s worst rated airport. Which? said customers criticised its limited seating and conges