Author: Scott Dylan

The renowned YouTube group, Sidemen, has inaugurated their second physical store in Birmingham, marking a significant expansion.Located in Hammerson’s Bullring & Grand Central, this store is the first SDMN outlet in the Midlands.The store spans 4,500 square feet and offers unisex streetwear and a new SDMN x TMNT range.Hammerson aims to diversify its offerings by incorporating youthful, dynamic brands like Sidemen.SDMN Clothing’s Managing Director, Matt Peters, expressed confidence in the brand’s retail success.The influential YouTube collective, Sidemen, known for their enormous online presence, has strategically extended their brand into physical retail by opening a new SDMN clothing store in Birmingham.…

Schools have increasingly implemented phone restrictions to curb distractions.However, this has sparked a debate on the role of technology in modern education.A New Reality in the ClassroomEntering homeroom on the first day of this academic year prompted a significant shift for students when teachers implemented a policy requiring phones to be placed in a designated box. This wasn’t merely a suggestion but a firm directive consistently adhered to throughout the year, marking a change in approach concerning mobile phone usage in educational settings. It’s a policy met with various reactions from students, many of whom find the adjustment challenging.The shift…

Motorpoint has posted a return to profitability, demonstrating resilience amidst improving market conditions.The company announced a pre-tax profit of £2m, contrasting with last year’s £3.7m loss.Retail volumes increased by 17%, reflecting a strong recovery in customer demand.Improvements are attributed to easing macroeconomic pressures and stable used car prices.Interest rate cuts and strategic business adjustments have supported this financial turnaround.Motorpoint, a used car supermarket, has successfully reversed its financial downturn, reporting a pre-tax profit of approximately £2 million for the six months ending in September. This is a notable recovery from the pre-tax loss of £3.7 million recorded during the corresponding…

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company plans to close the Banks’s brewery in Wolverhampton, affecting nearly 100 jobs.The closure coincides with the brewery’s 150th anniversary, as part of a strategic restructuring of Carlsberg Marston’s operations.Restructuring follows a £206 million deal where Marston’s sold its stake in the joint venture to Carlsberg.Declining cask ale volumes and Mahou San Miguel’s decision not to renew their partnership prompted the closure.Carlsberg Marston’s will invest over £6 million in other UK brewing sites to enhance production and capabilities.Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company’s decision to close the Banks’s brewery in Wolverhampton is set to affect nearly 100 employees, amid…

Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer brand achieves national reach with Waitrose listing.The beverage will be available in over 300 Waitrose stores across the UK.Hawkstone is recognised for supporting British agriculture with locally sourced ingredients.The brand has quickly become the UK’s fastest-growing beer brand.Hawkstone’s premium lager has won the title of Country Winner at the World Beer Awards.Jeremy Clarkson’s transition from television presenter to farmer has marked a significant achievement with the national listing of his Hawkstone beer and cider in Waitrose stores. This development is poised to extend the brand’s reach across the United Kingdom, with products available in more than…

Footwear brands in the UK are venturing into the handbag market, eyeing growth opportunities.Brands such as Russell & Bromley, Dune London, and Kurt Geiger are spearheading this strategic shift.The handbag category is viewed as a lucrative extension to their existing product lines.This move is aligned with current fashion and consumer buying trends.Experts are divided on the long-term success of this investment strategy.In an effort to capitalise on emerging market trends, prominent UK footwear brands Russell & Bromley, Dune London, and Kurt Geiger are intensifying their focus on the handbag sector. This strategic shift reflects their aim to diversify product offerings…

In 2023, Zapp embarked on a significant cost-cutting initiative to reduce its substantial financial losses.The company’s workforce decreased from 2,417 to 260 employees by the end of the year.Rapid revenue growth and strategic withdrawals from international markets contributed to improved financial health.Staff cost reductions were a key factor in achieving store-level profitability.Zapp’s measures aim to sustain operations in a challenging market landscape.In 2023, Zapp, a London-based rapid grocery delivery startup, implemented an extensive cost-reduction strategy to curb its financial losses. This initiative included a drastic reduction in its workforce, lowering the number of employees from 2,417 in 2022 to a…

Currys has partnered with Ohme, a manufacturer of smart EV chargers.This is Currys’ first venture into selling EV chargers directly to consumers.The partnership will see products available online and in 50 flagship stores.Zoe Lucid, a senior buyer at Currys, highlights the rise in UK EV sales as a motivation.Ohme is praised for award-winning technology and customer service.Currys, a major retailer in the United Kingdom, has officially named Ohme as its new partner for supplying smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This collaboration marks Currys’ inaugural step into the EV charging market, allowing the retailer to sell these products directly to consumers…

The Goldworks, a new co-working space, opens in Ebbw Vale backed by £7m from the Welsh Government.The 10,440 sq ft venue is operated by Blaenau Gwent Council’s business team, offering diverse working spaces.Support includes mentoring, workshops, and events through a partnership with Town Square Space.Town Square Space continues its support with access to startup and accelerator programmes.The initiative aims to foster a collaborative environment for businesses and freelancers.The Goldworks, a cutting-edge co-working space in Ebbw Vale, has been inaugurated with substantial financial backing of £7m from the Welsh Government. This initiative is part of a broader £100m Tech Valleys programme…

The latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor reports a slowdown in food sales growth for September.Food sales rose by 3.1% year-on-year in September, a marked decrease compared to a 7.4% growth in the same month last year.This growth is also below the 12-month average of 4.4%, highlighting a downward trend.Economic caution and wet weather are cited as primary factors for this deceleration.Despite overall robust retail sales, non-food items outperformed expectations, contrasting with food sales.The recent BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor has revealed a deceleration in food sales growth for the month of September. While food sales increased by 3.1% compared to the…