Law and business: commercial news round-up 19.09.14

This is the first in a weekly series of news digests (previously appearing in the LCN Says section), collecting together some of the key business stories that you should keep an eye on for two important reasons; one, because of the way they intersect with the legal world, and two, because they may affect the clients that you hope to one day advise.

This week:

• The OECD says that global economic recovery is being held back by uncertainty in the Eurozone.
• Online retailer ASOS has issued a profit warning, prompted in part by a devastating warehouse fire in June which destroyed around £30 million worth of stock.
• The founder of Phones4U, which went into administration on MOnday, blames "predatory" mobile phone networks for the company’s demise.
• The launch of the Alibaba (massive Chinese online retailer) IPO is biggest ever, with company expected to raise $22 billion from shares. (For 40 facts you didn’t know about Alibaba, read this.)
• Result of Scottish referendum is the only story today – how has the ‘no’ vote affected shares and the pound? (Answer: favourably.)

Be sure to check the News section every Friday afternoon for this weekly commercial news round-up. Follow @LawCareersNetUK and @CityLawLIVE on Twitter for instant business news updates.