Author: Sam Allcock

Mamas & Papas has reported significant sales growth for the year ending 31 March, reflecting successful expansion efforts and increased product demand.Sales increased by 7.1%, reaching £154.3 million, driven by strategic new store openings and heightened consumer interest in baby products.Profitability also rose substantially with underlying profit up by 27% and adjusted pre-tax profit soaring by 33%.A notable 48% sales increase was observed across UK concessions in collaboration with M&S and Next, supported by strategic location expansion.International growth continues, with new partnerships across Spain, Indonesia, and Thailand, enhancing their global brand presence.Mamas & Papas, the established nursery retailer, has marked…

Marks & Spencer is grappling with significant financial pressures due to national insurance and wage cost rises.Despite anticipating some changes, the scale is demanding strategic adjustments. The company is committed to protecting customers from price hikes.Impact of National Insurance ChangesMarks & Spencer is facing significant challenges due to changes in national insurance contributions. From April, employers’ contributions are set to rise by 1.2 percentage points to 15%. This increase has prompted concerns, as it coincides with a reduction in the threshold at which payments begin. It means a considerable £60 million rise in the company’s tax bill, now expected to…

Every day, countless patients in America face unexpected insurance rejections for treatments their doctors recommend. These denials often result from outsourced decisions made by companies profiting from reducing medical coverage.Patients seeking necessary medical procedures frequently encounter roadblocks, as insurers leverage third-party firms to minimise expenses. These firms, like EviCore, operate quietly yet wield significant influence over healthcare outcomes, impacting one in three insured Americans.The Rise of ‘Denials for Dollars’In recent years, the practice of denying medical coverage has evolved into a lucrative business model for companies like EviCore, which is owned by insurance giant Cigna. The company is known for…

Haribo is opening a new store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, marking its first location in the UK outside an outlet.The Bluewater store is Haribo’s 11th in the UK, scheduled to open in early 2025.This new venture follows the brand’s successful Hide N Seekers activation, which featured a large ball pit filled with prizes.Rebecca Fox, Haribo’s UK head of retail, expressed excitement about bringing more joy to Kent with the new store.James Waugh, Bluewater centre director, highlighted the unique shopping experience Haribo will provide.Haribo is set to expand its presence in the United Kingdom with the opening of a new store…

Pour Moi, the lingerie and swimwear brand, has inaugurated a new retail outlet in Kingston Upon Thames.The store, covering 2465 sq ft, is Pour Moi’s fourth physical location, featuring lingerie, swimwear, nightwear, sportswear, and clothing.Founder Michael Thomson emphasised the brand’s commitment to making women feel confident and comfortable.The store includes in-house bra fitters to assist customers with accurate sizing.This opening is part of a broader expansion strategy, as Pour Moi plans more UK locations and partnerships with major retailers.Pour Moi, a prominent name in lingerie and swimwear, has expanded its retail footprint by opening a new store in the bustling…

The November edition of Drapers covers recent transformations in the fashion retail industry, focusing on inclusivity and market trends ahead of Purple Tuesday.Fashion retailers are implementing significant changes to cater to diverse consumer needs, including those of disabled shoppers, marking a £247bn opportunity.H&M’s renewed strategy aims to revitalize its market presence and adapt to evolving consumer demands.An undercover examination of menswear shopping experiences sheds light on current retail practices and challenges.These developments reflect broader trends and business strategies within the retail sector, as captured by Drapers.In the lead-up to Purple Tuesday on 12 November, the fashion industry is actively working…

Burberry makes a significant leadership change by appointing Paul Price.Price previously served in key roles at Burberry, Topshop, and James Perse.His new role will see him oversee merchandising, planning, and more.The appointment follows a series of leadership changes at Burberry.Price expresses enthusiasm for joining Burberry’s next chapter.Burberry has appointed Paul Price as its new chief product merchandising and planning officer, marking another important leadership change under new CEO Joshua Schulman. Price, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in fashion retail, previously held significant roles at Burberry, Topshop, and James Perse among others, bringing an extensive background in merchandising…

M&S is tackling a £60 million rise in National Insurance without passing costs to consumers.CEO Stuart Machin announced plans to offset the financial impact through cost-saving measures.The recent Budget’s National Insurance amendments present a “double whammy” for the retailer.M&S aims to sustain its improved value perception amidst these financial pressures.The company’s first-half profits have seen significant growth, up more than 17%.Marks & Spencer is addressing a significant £60 million increase in its National Insurance liabilities, a result of recent changes declared in the Budget. The firm’s CEO, Stuart Machin, declared that M&S is determined to manage this fiscal challenge internally,…

The Deskless Report 2024 offers insights into the evolving challenges faced by frontline workers across five key industries.Compared to previous findings, there’s a shift from crisis towards optimism, though underlying issues remain significant.Data reveals that career progression isn’t a universal solution for frontline satisfaction, with immediate needs like stability taking precedence.Empowering managers emerges as a critical strategy to align employee needs with organisational goals, yet many managers are underprepared.Comprehensive insights are provided on how to transform current frontline challenges into future opportunities.The recent release of the Deskless Report 2024 shines a spotlight on the evolving landscape for frontline workers in…

A variety of Christmas advertisements from major retailers are now on display, featuring countless entertaining elements.M&S reprises Dawn French in a festive six-part series, with her as both the Festive Fairy and herself.Sainsbury’s features Roald Dahl’s BFG in a new holiday narrative alongside real-life employee Sophie.Nigella Lawson marks her debut in Greggs’ inaugural Christmas campaign, highlighting festive menu items.Argos presents beloved characters Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur in its promotional spot.As the Christmas season approaches, several retailers have begun launching their highly anticipated advertisements. The campaigns highlight an array of elements designed to capture public interest and stir…