Author: Scott Dylan

Plans for a glass structure atop a historic water tower in Ormskirk have been approved, allowing a transformation into a family home.Councillors addressed concerns regarding potential impacts on privacy and sunlight from neighbours before granting approval.The Victorian water tower, a Grade II* listed structure, had been on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register due to its long-standing vacancy.The transformation project will utilise the space previously occupied by an iron water tank removed in the 1980s.Local residents have expressed both support and concerns about the design’s impact on the tower’s historic integrity.The proposed transformation of the historic water tower in Ormskirk…

Waitrose partners with Just Eat to expand on-demand grocery services.Just Eat deliveries from Waitrose will reach customers in 30 minutes or less.Waitrose sees a 140% surge in weekly on-demand sales this year.Over a million UK residents now regularly use Just Eat for grocery orders.Plans are in place to introduce over 550 Christmas products through the platform.Waitrose has strategically joined forces with Just Eat in a multi-year agreement designed to strengthen its position in the burgeoning on-demand grocery and convenience markets. The collaboration enables Just Eat users to place orders fulfilled in just 30 minutes from 229 Waitrose sites across key…

Waitrose collaborates with pop group S Club for its latest advertising campaign, aiming to reinvigorate its No.1 premium range.The campaign features S Club members enjoying an after-hours event at Waitrose’s newly refurbished John Barnes store.A remixed version of S Club’s hit song accompanies the group as they explore and enjoy the revamped supermarket.Waitrose’s initiative is part of a significant investment to enhance its brand and product offerings.The campaign reflects Waitrose’s commitment to offering superior quality and taste with its No.1 range.In an innovative move, Waitrose has partnered with the popular pop group S Club, enlisting their star power for the…

Iceland introduces age restrictions on meals featuring the world’s hottest pepper, Pepper X, requiring customers to be over 18.The two spicy ready meals, Pepper X Chicken Tikka Masala and Pepper X Chilli Mac & Cheese, debut with an age limit in Iceland stores.These meals use Pepper X, the hottest chilli pepper, known for a staggering 2.69 million Scoville heat units.Customers must show ID to purchase these £4 meals, highlighting their intense spice level.This move coincides with Iceland’s expansive Halloween product launch, which has grown significantly since the previous year.Iceland has set a new precedent by introducing age restrictions for its…

N Brown has reported a profit despite a decrease in sales, following significant digital advancements.The company achieved a pre-tax profit of £200,000 in the 26 weeks to 31 August.Sales fell by 6.7%, largely due to a 7.9% downturn in product revenue.The challenging economic environment was mitigated by the company’s digital strategy.N Brown’s CEO emphasised strategic improvements for sustainable growth.N Brown has demonstrated resilience by returning to profitability in the first half of its fiscal year, despite an overall decline in sales. The company recorded a pre-tax profit of £200,000 for the 26 weeks leading up to 31 August. This marks…

Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, reports a significant 31% rise in operating profits to ¥500.9bn for the year ending 31 August 2024.The company’s revenue increased by 12.2%, reaching a substantial ¥3.1 trillion, showcasing robust financial health.This remarkable performance is attributed to strategic diversification of earnings across their global markets.Strong sales were particularly noted in key regions such as Greater China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.Projected growth for FY 2025 includes a 9.5% increase in revenue and a 5.8% rise in operating profit.Fast Retailing, the parent company behind well-known fashion brands such as Uniqlo and Theory, reported an impressive growth…

Apollo Global has acquired End Clothing in a strategic move, three years after Carlyle Group’s initial purchase.The acquisition follows a recapitalisation agreement among End Clothing’s lenders and shareholders.Apollo had previously supported Carlyle’s acquisition of End Clothing, then valued at £750 million.End Clothing’s founders, Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, have exited the board post-acquisition.CEO Parker Gundersen anticipates debt reduction and operational reinvestment following the transaction.Apollo Global has recently acquired End Clothing, marking a significant strategic move in the retail industry. This acquisition comes three years after The Carlyle Group’s initial purchase, illustrating a continued interest in the luxury streetwear sector. The…

Waitrose has joined Just Eat to enhance its grocery delivery service, marking a strategic expansion into on-demand delivery across the UK.The collaboration will extend to 229 Waitrose locations including major cities like Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester.This partnership adds to Waitrose’s existing alliances with Deliveroo and Uber Eats, showcasing its commitment to meeting consumer demand for convenience.Waitrose aims to open up to 100 new convenience stores nationwide as part of a £1 billion investment strategy.A recent innovation includes a delivery hatch at Waitrose’s John Barnes store, allowing fulfilment of orders beyond regular hours.Waitrose, a renowned name in the British grocery…

The N Brown Group has witnessed a considerable rise in profit before tax, reaching £3.6 million for its half-year results.This figure reflects a significant increase from the previous year’s profit of £0.1 million, showcasing the group’s strategic focus on maximising profitable sales.Despite a reduction in group and product revenues, adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.4% to £18.8 million, with a margin increase to 6.8%.The group’s efforts to enhance online platforms and manage costs effectively have positioned it to meet its financial expectations for the year.Encouraging early Q3 trading figures indicate potential for sustained growth, bolstered by strategic developments.The N Brown Group…

Hurricane Helene has aggravated supply chain issues affecting hospitals nationwide. Recent disruptions have led to rationing critical intravenous (IV) fluids, impacting patient care.As hospitals brace for further challenges like the upcoming respiratory virus season, efforts to restore supply levels are underway but remain insufficient.Extent of the Supply Chain DisruptionA major IV fluid distributor has reduced supplies to 60% of normal levels following Hurricane Helene’s damage to a North Carolina manufacturing site. This has forced hospitals to ration supplies and delay certain surgeries, highlighting the systemic vulnerabilities exacerbated by natural disasters.In response to this ongoing crisis, Baxter International has resumed operations…