Author: Sam Allcock

Gardening has emerged as a cherished pastime, captivating nearly 40% of the UK population.A survey by Adobe Express reveals a growing trend in creative hobbies, with cooking and baking leading the way.Despite financial constraints, gardening remains a popular activity, particularly in cities like Sheffield and Norwich.Psychotherapist Sarah Lee highlights the mental and physical health benefits of engaging with nature through gardening.Time constraints and self-doubt are common barriers preventing people from taking up new hobbies.Gardening has firmly established itself as a beloved hobby across the United Kingdom, with 38% of adults partaking in this green-fingered pursuit. According to a survey by…

Selfridges introduces a thrilling new attraction outside its Oxford Street store: a 40ft climbing column inspired by the store’s iconic façade.Running from 19 July to 26 August, the climbing facility is a key feature of Selfridges’ Sportopia campaign this summer.The climbing wall, reflecting a global surge in climbing popularity, offers sessions for groups of up to six people.Climbing has garnered significant attention, partly due to its inclusion in the Olympic Games.Sessions are affordably priced, making it an attractive family activity during the summer holidays.The renowned luxury department store, Selfridges, has added an exhilarating new feature to its Oxford Street location:…

Election uncertainty and poor weather dampened retail sales in June.Retail sales saw a decline of 1.2% in June, impacted by adverse conditions.Textile, clothing, and footwear sectors experienced a 1.6% fall in sales.Online sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear decreased significantly by 5.4% over the quarter.Despite challenges, falling inflation provides a glimmer of hope for consumers.In June, retail sales witnessed a downturn, dropping by 1.2% as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The decline was attributed to election uncertainty and poor weather, which significantly affected consumer footfall and spending behavior.The textile, clothing, and footwear sectors particularly suffered, with sales…

Frasers Group recently revealed a significant financial loss stemming from its acquisition of Matches, marking a challenging period for the company.The company reported a £12.5 million loss linked to its investment in Matches, highlighting struggles with sustained trading losses.Despite an increase in adjusted profit before tax, overall profit figures saw a substantial decline due in part to the Matches setback.Frasers Group initially acquired Matches for £51.9 million but subsequently put it into administration, citing unsustainable financial demands.The aftermath included the closure of Matches’ online presence and London-based stores, as assets were evaluated and sold off.Frasers Group has disclosed a considerable…

A new pilot scheme aims to test the viability of a four-day working week.In 2022, 30,000 employees across over sixty companies trialled a shorter working week, with significant positive feedback.54 companies from the previous trial have continued with the four-day week model.The new trial will involve 3,000 employees from 50 smaller businesses, working 80% of their hours for full pay.Concerns exist about potential stress due to unchanged productivity expectations.The new pilot scheme for a four-day working week is poised to begin, marking a significant step in evaluating the effectiveness and practicality of such a work schedule. The trial follows a…

Club L London has appointed Richard Wing as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), aiming to steer the company into its next phase of global growth.Richard Wing, previously the group finance director at Club L London, has been promoted to CFO, succeeding Karl Lloyd.Wing’s background includes significant roles at THG Ingenuity, Ladbible, and Missguided, adding valuable experience to his new position.Under Wing’s leadership, Club L London plans to launch dedicated websites in new markets, following the recent launch in Canada.The company boasts a 96.87% compound annual growth rate, positioning itself as a leading affordable luxury fashion house.Richard Wing has been…

Nick Beighton, former CEO of Asos, shared insights on Shein’s business model during the Source Fashion show in London.Beighton described Shein’s approach as both ‘genius’ and a cause for concern due to their production standards and transparency issues.The Source Fashion event highlighted sustainable sourcing, attracting over 300 exhibitors and thousands of attendees from top brands.Joanna Mourant from Next discussed the retailer’s sustainability progress, aiming for 100% responsible cotton sourcing by 2025.The show announced plans to expand in 2025 to accommodate growing interest in sustainable fashion innovations.Nick Beighton, renowned for his tenure as CEO of Asos, addressed the growing influence of…

Adidas has once again raised its profit guidance for 2024, highlighting strong business performance.The company’s full-year profit forecast now stands at €1bn, showing significant growth from previous estimates.A 9% revenue increase in Q2 2024 played a key role in this optimistic outlook.A considerable contribution from former Yeezy inventory sales further boosted Adidas’s earnings.Adidas severed ties with the Yeezy brand amid controversies involving its founder, Ye.Adidas has surprised the market by raising its operating profit guidance for the second time this year, displaying remarkable business momentum. The company’s forecast for the entire year has now been revised to €1 billion, reflecting…

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports a decrease in inflation due to women’s sportswear.In June 2024, consumer price inflation held steady despite falling clothing costs.Prices for women’s sports shorts and leggings contributed significantly to this decrease.Clothing and footwear prices experienced a 1.2% monthly drop in June.Continued retail competition and a stronger pound aid in lowering essential goods prices.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has observed that women’s sportswear, particularly sports shorts and leggings, is significantly contributing to the reduction of inflation in the clothing and footwear sector. These items have been recognised for making particularly strong downward contributions to…

The legal industry’s ‘missing middle’ problem affects data management and efficiency.Firms struggle to capture key matter data and manage complex legal projects effectively.Centralised data storage is crucial for reporting, AI use, and data security.Generative AI offers opportunities but relies on secure and accessible data.Lexis Everyfile provides a solution to these challenges, offering a unified data platform.In the legal industry, the ‘missing middle’ problem refers to challenges in capturing key matter data alongside lawyer knowledge and know-how, managing complex projects, and improving efficiencies. This issue is significantly impacting firms’ abilities to effectively manage and utilise data.A centralised repository for storing matter…