Author: Scott Dylan

Bira petitions the Bank of England to cut interest rates, citing stagnant consumer spending.The UK’s Consumer Prices Index remains at 2.2% for August, with no change from July.Steady inflation rates are accompanied by rising private rents that challenge disposable incomes.CEO Andrew Goodacre underscores the need to boost consumer confidence through reduced rates.The Bank of England is expected to maintain the current interest rate in the upcoming decision.The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has issued an appeal to the Bank of England, emphasising the necessity of reducing interest rates to foster consumer spending. With the Bank’s rate decision imminent, Bira asserts…

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued a stark warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, underscoring the urgent need for substantial fiscal reforms to stabilise the United Kingdom’s public finances ahead of her first budget presentation scheduled for 30 October.The OECD’s report advocates for a series of sweeping changes, including the abolition of stamp duty, the recalibration of the pension triple lock, and a comprehensive update to the council tax system. These recommendations come in response to mounting financial strains posed by healthcare, pensions, and climate change, compounded by high levels of debt, increasing interest payments, and sluggish…

The partnership between The Range, Wilko, and THG Fulfil aims to optimise the supply chain and enhance customer experience.THG Fulfil provides advanced warehouse automation to support The Range’s and Wilko’s omnichannel growth.CDS Superstores’ CEO highlights the impact of the new fulfilment solutions on product delivery.THG’s COO emphasises customer satisfaction at the core of this collaboration.This venture aligns with THG’s strategic plans to separate its technology platform, Ingenuity.In a strategic move, The Range and Wilko’s parent company, CDS Superstores, has teamed up with THG Fulfil to streamline their fulfilment and courier management operations. THG’s advanced warehouse automation will aid in the…

Pret A Manger has achieved a remarkable increase in sales, driven by international expansion.In 2023, the company’s sales rose by 22% to reach £1.1 billion, marking a significant milestone.The first half of 2024 saw a further 10% increase in sales, amounting to £569 million.Franchising and overseas markets now represent considerable portions of Pret’s revenue.The expansion strategy includes opening new stores in the US and beyond London within the UK.Pret A Manger has reported a striking 22% increase in sales, reaching a record £1.1 billion in 2023, driven by international expansion. This growth persisted into the first half of 2024, with…

In a significant restructuring move, Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda, is stepping back from daily operations to focus on his CEO role at EG Group.Lord Rose of Monewden, Asda Chairman and former CEO of Marks & Spencer, will temporarily take over Issa’s responsibilities.This decision comes amidst a challenging period for Asda, marked by a 6% drop in sales over the past 12 weeks.Asda’s market share has fallen to 12.6%, compared to 13.7% last year, under increased competition from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons.Mohsin Issa will remain a non-executive director and co-owner of Asda, maintaining his 22.5% stake in the company.Mohsin Issa,…

Oxa, backed by Google, expands its reach in industrial logistics through the acquisition of StreetDrone, an Oxford-based startup.StreetDrone is known for its expertise in industrial logistics, specifically in ports, fulfilment centres, and logistics hubs.The acquisition aims to integrate StreetDrone’s logistics solutions with Oxa’s self-driving software for a comprehensive autonomous offering.Oxa’s CEO, Gavin Jackson, emphasises the strategic leap this acquisition represents for delivering self-driving solutions across industries.StreetDrone CEO, Mike Potts, highlights the transformative potential of autonomy in enhancing industrial operations.Oxa, a self-driving vehicle software group with notable backing from Google, has strategically acquired StreetDrone, enhancing its position in the industrial logistics…

AI personalisation is transforming supermarket shopping experiences, leveraging customer data to enhance sales.Eagle Eye is integrating AI into loyalty schemes to encourage increased purchasing by shoppers.AI technology maps consumer preferences and tailors offers to incentivise larger purchases.Profitability in the retail sector may soon be dominated by those adopting hyper-personalisation through AI.Despite soaring profits, Eagle Eye’s stock saw a decline, highlighting market challenges.Eagle Eye, renowned for facilitating loyalty schemes in major UK supermarkets, is strategically deploying AI to mould shopping behaviours and amplify spendings. Through the acquisition of Untie Nots, a French AI startup, Eagle Eye rebranded it as Eagle AI…

Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda, steps back from his executive role to focus on his position as CEO of EG Group.Chair Lord Rose and Rob Hattrell, ex-eBay and Tesco executive, will take charge of Asda’s operations.Issa remains a co-owner and will continue as a non-executive director on the board of Asda.Under Issa’s leadership, Asda expanded into convenience stores and launched a popular loyalty app.Asda is in search of a new CEO to lead its next strategic phase.Mohsin Issa, a key figure in Asda’s leadership, has decided to step back from his executive role to concentrate on his responsibilities as the…

Appleby Creamery in the Lake District adopts IoT technology to enhance its cheese production processes, reflecting a broader industry trend towards digitalisation.The implementation allows remote monitoring of energy usage and temperatures, improving efficiency and quality control for the creamery’s products.Real-time alerts and dashboards aid in decision-making, reducing the risk of spoilage and optimising energy consumption.The initiative is part of the Digital Dairy Chain project, promoting digital transformation in the dairy sector.This technological upgrade demonstrates potential cost savings and sustainability improvements for small-scale dairy manufacturers.At the forefront of digital innovation, Appleby Creamery in the Lake District has embraced Internet of Things…

Co-op Group renews its media contract with Dentsu for two more years, signifying a continued partnership.The partnership aims to leverage Dentsu’s expertise in customer data to benefit Co-op’s diverse business operations.Through collaborative efforts, significant campaigns like ‘Owned by You. Right By You’ have been launched, promoting cooperative business benefits.The initiative also highlights the launch of the Co-op Media Network, enhancing access to customer shopping insights.Leaders from both organisations express commitment to innovation and shared values to drive positive change.The Co-op Group has renewed its media contract with Dentsu, a global media and marketing agency, for an additional two years. This…