In what will come as a blow to FMCG manufacturers looking to maintain and increase price levels in line with more premium positioning, price inflation for everyday items across Europe has hit its lowest level since 2010 after falling for the fifth quarter in a row. Although European sales of FMCG goods rose by 3.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2014, there was just a 1.6% rise in prices paid, according to the latest figures from Nielsen. The last time prices rose less than 1.6% year-on-year was Q4 2010 (1.5%).

Ted Baker is introducing new 24/7 beacon technology to its Westfield White City store that enables customers to communicate with in-store mannequins via their smartphones as the creator predicts the technology can become commonplace within UK retailers. Customers who download the free Iconeme app (for Android and iOS) will receive a push notification when in a 50m range of a Ted Baker' bluetooth enabled mannequin.

According to the annual Lighthouse study of 500 industry leaders, media owners were once again deemed to be more attractive employers than media agencies, suggesting that media agencies must now do more to either enhance their reputations or remuneration packages. Only 16% saw their next move to an agency, while 38% thought they would move to a media owner.

The7stars has been awarded the GBP10 million media planning and buying account for the online bathroom retailer Victoria Plumb. The independent agency picked up the business after a pitch against the incumbent, Carat Manchester. The process was led by Ben Padley, the chief marketing officer at Victoria Plumb. Padley said: "We're delighted to be teaming up with the7stars. They share our vision of rapid growth, transparency and, above all, putting our customers at the heart of everything we do."

Wonga, the controversial payday loans company, is reviewing its UK advertising business, which is currently handled by Albion. The lender, which is well-known for its short-term, high-interest loans, has approached AAR to help with a review that launched this week. Albion has decided not to repitch for the account and criticised Wonga for behaving unethically toward its customers. Wonga was fined GBP2.6 million in 2014 by the Financial Conduct Authority for using fake legal letters to chase customers for debts.

Sony's SmartEyeglass is now available for developers to pre-order in the UK for GBP620, offering augmented reality through holograms. The price tag makes SmartEyeglass almost GBP400 cheaper than Google Glass, which has been temporarily pulled off the shelves as the search giant works out how to develop the idea further. Unlike Google Glass, which shows information through a tiny, square-shaped display, Sony's SmartEyeglass offers augmented reality lenses that superimpose information across the wearer's entire field of vision.

Samsung is to acquire mobile wallet provider LoopPay, whose technology turns existing magnetic strip readers into secure and contactless receivers, for an undisclosed sum. As part of the acquisition, LoopPay founders Will Graylin and George Wallner will work closely with Samsung's Mobile Division. The two companies already had an existing relationship, with Samsung first identifying the potential for LoopPay's technology when it became a strategic investor.

Less than a tenth (9%) of consumers are interested in using their smartphones to order food or beverages ahead of collection via brand's app or browser, according to a recent survey by PayPal and Ipsos. The survey, which asked consumers to name the most appealing uses for smartphones among things they had not tried, also found that only 10% of respondents would be interested to in "tap at the till" NFC technology. The figures will likely come as a blow to brands that have already begun trials in the space.

Bentley has revealed that it will add 10 new senior marketers to its 40-strong marketing team in 2015 as it aims to boost sales and prepares to launch its first SUV. The luxury carmaker will launch the SUV, the Bentayga, which it says will offer "a luxury vehicle that can cross any terrain," in early 2016. It says the new marketing roles will help it to facilitate the delivery and successful launch of the Bentayga as well as all future products.

Facebook is working on apps to bring virtual reality (VR) sharing to life on the social network. Chris Cox, head of product at Facebook, on Tuesday announced at the Re/Code Code/Media conference that the social network has started producing apps in the VR realm for the Oculus Rift after acquiring the start-up for a $2bn almost a year ago. Cox said: "You realise, when you're in [VR], that you're looking at the future, and it's going to be awesome. When you're in Facebook, you're just sending around these bits of experience -- a photo, a video, a thought."