Author: Scott Dylan

The food-to-go industry is transforming as unexpected retailers enter the £23.4bn market, aiming for a substantial share by 2027.Fortnum & Mason has ventured into food-to-go with its café counter at their Piccadilly location, extending its offering beyond traditional department store services.Holland & Barrett is experimenting with café concessions, offering health-focused beverages with unique wellness ingredients.Hotel Chocolat is enhancing its food-to-go services, introducing bakery and hot food options in select locations, inspired by its restaurant offerings.WHSmith and Ralph Lauren are innovating their strategies, WHSmith with a new café and Ralph Lauren with permanent coffee setups.The food-to-go market is witnessing a significant…

This week has seen significant leadership changes across prominent fashion brands, highlighting key strategic shifts within the industry.Michael Rider steps into the role of creative director at Celine, filling the shoes of the departing Hedi Slimane.Richard Price, previously at M&S, embraces a non-executive position at Refined Networks, marking a transition within regional e-commerce.Missoni witnesses the departure of creative director Filippo Grazioli, after a tenure of two influential years.Seraphine expands its leadership by incorporating former executives from The White Company and Joules into its team.In a notable transition at Celine, Michael Rider has been appointed as the new creative director, succeeding…

The motor industry is intensifying its call for a reduction in VAT on electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure. This is in response to challenges in meeting government sales targets for zero-emission vehicles.Despite an impressive number of registrations in recent months, electric vehicles (EVs) are still falling short of desired market share. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is urging the UK government to make crucial policy adjustments.The electric vehicle market is experiencing significant obstacles in achieving the UK’s zero-emission sales targets. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) represented just 17.8% of the market this year, a figure anticipated to…

In September, retail footfall experiences its first annual increase, offering a positive shift in retail dynamics.Shopper visits increased by 3.3% in September, reversing a 0.4% fall recorded in August, as per BRC findings.Retailers reported a significant 7.3% rise in footfall, marking the highest jump, compared to a 2.6% increase the previous month.Shopping centres witnessed a marginal growth of 2.3% in visitor numbers, as opposed to a 1.8% decline in August.High streets saw a 0.9% rise in footfall, providing a contrast to the 0.3% drop observed in the previous month.September recorded a considerable upsurge in retail footfall, the first in over…

Virgin Wines and Ocado have launched a strategic collaboration.This partnership allows Ocado customers exclusive access to 50 Virgin Wines.It is the first time these wines are available individually, not just in cases.Virgin Wines’ CEO emphasises the unique selection tailored for diverse consumer needs.Ocado values the flexibility to adapt to customer trends without shelf constraints.Virgin Wines has embarked on a strategic partnership with Ocado, initiated in October 2024, expanding its customer base by offering an exclusive selection of wines through the online platform. This collaboration stands as a testament to Virgin Wines’ commitment to reaching a broader audience by tailoring its…

Shein is set to commence preliminary investor discussions, targeting a London IPO.These meetings aim to address questions and assess interest among major investors.Plans for the IPO await approval from UK and Chinese regulators.There is heightened scrutiny over Shein’s labour practices and environmental impact.The IPO could potentially invigorate London’s IPO market.Shein is poised to initiate early-stage investor meetings as part of its strategic preparation for a London Initial Public Offering (IPO). These informal gatherings, predominantly held in Europe, will serve as a platform for Shein to field questions from significant investors and gauge their potential interest in participating in the IPO.…

JD Wetherspoon reports a significant rebound in profits, reinstating dividends following strong financial performance.A 73.5% increase in pre-tax profits was posted, reaching £73.9 million over the past financial year.Revenue rose by 5.7% to £2.04 billion, fuelled by a 7.6% increase in like-for-like sales.The company sold 18 pubs and terminated leases on nine others, though two new sites were opened.Chair Tim Martin expresses optimism about future sales trends, despite economic challenges.JD Wetherspoon has announced a return to financial health, reinstating its dividend after observing a robust rebound in profits. The pub group’s pre-tax profits surged by 73.5% to £73.9 million, reflecting…

September saw a notable rise in UK footfall, marking the first increase in over a year.Data from the BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor showed a 3.3% year-on-year growth.High street, retail parks, and shopping centres all experienced increased footfall.Favourable weather conditions played a key role in boosting shopper numbers.Retail parks emerged as the leading destinations for shoppers.In a positive shift, UK footfall rose by 3.3% in September, reversing a year of declines. This growth is captured in the BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor’s data, highlighting a significant improvement from the -0.4% observed in August. Such an increase indicates a crucial change in consumer behaviour, providing…

Amazon may face legal action from numerous sellers due to frozen funds linked to VAT status verification.A significant number of sellers remain unable to access their sales revenue, pushing many towards financial despair.The amounts unlawfully withheld by Amazon are speculated to reach tens of millions, sparking a potential compensation campaign.Criticism arises over Amazon’s VAT verification process, described as obstructive and emotionally taxing by affected parties.Efforts to accelerate verification processes are underway, but sellers continue to experience distress and uncertainty.Amazon, a leading online marketplace, is under scrutiny as it faces potential legal action from hundreds of sellers who claim their funds…

Filippo Grazioli, Missoni’s creative director, resigns after two years.Grazioli aims to pursue new creative and artistic challenges.Alberto Caliri, an experienced designer with Missoni, steps in as his replacement.Grazioli’s tenure included notable contributions to both women’s and men’s collections.The transition follows similar moves in the fashion industry’s leadership.Filippo Grazioli, who has served as Missoni’s creative director for the past two years, is stepping down from his role. His decision is motivated by his desire to take on new creative and artistic challenges. Grazioli initially joined Missoni in 2022, following his tenure as collections director at Burberry and a senior womenswear designer…