Author: Sam Allcock

Nish Kankiwala, the CEO of John Lewis Partnership, is set to transition from his executive role to a non-executive position.This change marks a significant shift in the strategic transformation of the John Lewis Partnership.Kankiwala’s return to the board is expected to assist the new chairman, Jason Tarry, in steering the company.The position of CEO will not be directly filled, highlighting the transformation’s progress.Kankiwala’s journey from non-executive to executive role was initiated in March 2023 to accelerate the company’s transformation.Nish Kankiwala, CEO of John Lewis Partnership, is transitioning back to his non-executive role within the company, effective March 2025. This move…

In a concerted effort, the UK’s leading supermarkets are advocating for a reduction in business rates.The British Retail Consortium has addressed an open letter to the Labour government.The letter, endorsed by top supermarket chains, argues for a 20% reduction in business rates.The sector reportedly contributes 7.4% of total business taxes in the UK.Without reform, there is a significant risk of shop closures across the nation.The leading supermarkets in the United Kingdom have unified in a significant initiative, urging the government to address business rates that they consider disproportionately high. The core of their argument rests on a letter orchestrated by…

Ocado has introduced a new online section promoting female entrepreneurs.The ‘Buy Women Built’ initiative features over 1,000 products.Established brands and startups are included in the initiative.Sahar Hashemi spearheaded the ‘Buy Women Built’ campaign.Ocado aims to boost female entrepreneurship, addressing gender gaps.Ocado has made a strategic move by launching the ‘Buy Women Built’ section on its online platform, showcasing more than 1,000 products crafted by female entrepreneurs. This initiative serves as an effort to highlight and support brands founded by women in a market predominantly led by male entrepreneurs.The campaign, envisioned by Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi, has led to the…

The strike action at Tetley highlights an unresolved pay dispute at Tata Consumer Products in Teeside.Over 150 workers, mainly women, initiated the strike, citing insufficient pay and unfair treatment.GMB Union accuses management of calling police on strikers, escalating tensions further.Legal actions are being pursued against workers for trespass amidst ongoing strikes.Despite a new pay deal in August 2023, workers argue for further pay justice.The current strike action at Tetley underlines ongoing tensions between the workforce and management at Tata Consumer Products’ facility in Teeside. Over 150 workers, primarily women, have positioned themselves at the forefront of this industrial action, with…

Jack Mason, co-founder and CEO of Inc & Co, has officially announced his departure from the Manchester-based business collective after five highly successful years. Mason’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Inc & Co into one of the UK’s most dynamic and forward-thinking business groups, particularly in the realm of rescuing distressed companies. His exit marks the end of a significant chapter for both Mason and Inc & Co, while opening up new possibilities for both. Leading Inc & Co from Vision to Reality In 2019, Jack Mason, along with co-founders Scott Dylan and Dave Antrobus, established Inc & Co…

Following a protracted drought, the global olive oil market is set for recovery.Spain, a leading olive oil producer, saw its production plummet by 60% due to severe droughts.Favourable weather conditions now promise a more robust harvest in Spain.This improvement is expected to alleviate the upward pressure on olive oil prices.These changes might stabilise production costs and impact global supply chains.The global olive oil market has been under significant strain following a two-year drought in Spain, one of the world’s largest producers. This adverse weather led to a dramatic 60% decline in olive oil production, significantly impacting international prices and supply.Recent…

KP Snacks achieved a remarkable financial milestone in 2023, nearing £100 million in profits.Despite a severe cyber attack in 2022, the snack giant showed impressive resilience and recovery.Sales surged alongside profits, increasing significantly from the previous year.Strategic pricing, cost management, and sustainability initiatives were key to overcoming industry challenges.The company maintained and strengthened its market position in the UK.In the financial year 2023, KP Snacks, known for brands like McCoy’s, KP Nuts, and Popchips, achieved an impressive pre-tax profit of £93.7 million. This was a marked increase from the £64.3 million reported in 2022. The surge in profits occurred despite…

The grocery industry faces significant challenges affecting the supply chain in 2024.Citrus greening disease severely impacts orange production in key regions.Avian flu outbreaks lead to increased egg prices due to shortages.Adverse weather threatens UK grain harvests, affecting staple food prices.Global sugar production suffers from climate change, raising costs of confectionery.The grocery sector is grappling with numerous disruptions as it heads into 2024. Significant challenges include the impact of citrus greening disease on orange crops, avian flu in the egg sector, adverse weather conditions affecting grain harvests, and the rising global cost of sugar impacting confectionery products. These issues have wide-ranging…

Waitrose has launched a new campaign prioritising its No.1 range.The campaign was developed by Saatchi & Saatchi and is featured across various media platforms.It creatively illustrates customers choosing No.1 range products over daily tasks.The campaign tagline is ‘No.1 always comes first’, highlighting premium quality.The relaunch includes 200 new and improved No.1 range products.Waitrose has embarked on a bold new campaign that places its No.1 premium range at the forefront, inviting customers to prioritise this exquisite selection over routine daily activities. This intriguing approach is encapsulated in the statement, ‘No.1 always comes first’, underscoring a dedication to quality and sophistication in…

Booths, an upmarket grocer, has reported significant financial improvements, achieving record sales of £318.6 million.The company successfully reduced its pre-tax losses from £4 million to £1.5 million by the financial year ending 30 March 2024.Despite previous profits in 2022, Booths expressed satisfaction with the current year’s outcomes.The retailer’s strategic focus on sustainable growth is evident amidst the challenging inflationary environment.Interest rates and climatic effects remain influential factors affecting Booths’ operational costs.Booths, a renowned upmarket grocer, has demonstrated notable financial resilience by posting record sales figures amounting to £318.6 million for the fiscal year ending on 30 March 2024. This performance…