Author: Sam Allcock

Booths has achieved a significant milestone in its financial performance, surpassing £300 million in turnover.The Lancashire-based retailer reported a revenue of £318.6 million for the year ending 30 March 2024.Pre-tax losses were notably reduced from £4 million to £1.5 million over the same period.Booths’ strategy focused on maintaining a sustainable growth platform, addressing inflation, and optimising operations.A key move was the divestiture of a loss-making outlet, which enhanced the firm’s financial health.Booths, a prestigious supermarket chain with historical roots extending back to 1847, recently celebrated a landmark achievement in its financial performance. For the first time, the company’s turnover has…

Mulberry has rejected an £83 million takeover bid from the Frasers Group, highlighting its confidence in future growth under new leadership.The offer was thoroughly assessed by Mulberry’s board with input from majority shareholder, Challice, who owns 56.1% of the company.Mulberry’s share price increased by 4.8% to 130p following the decision to reject the offer.Frasers Group contends it is the ideal caretaker to return Mulberry to profitability amid ongoing financial challenges.Mulberry plans to stabilise its financial position and implement CEO Andrea Baldo’s strategy with the recent capital influx.Mulberry recently declined an £83 million acquisition proposal from the Frasers Group. The board…

Mulberry has declined an £83 million bid from Frasers Group, deeming it unsatisfactory.The brand’s decision reflects confidence in CEO Andrea Baldo’s new leadership strategy.Mulberry’s stock increased by 4.8% following its rejection of the offer.Frasers Group criticised the timing of Mulberry’s recent rights issue, finding it problematic.Frasers has until 28 October to formalise its proposal or withdraw permanently.Mulberry has turned down a substantial acquisition proposal from the Frasers Group, pegged at £83 million. The luxury brand communicated this decision after consulting with its primary stakeholder, Challice, which owns a majority of the company shares. Challice is controlled by Malaysian billionaire Ong…

New Research Reveals Diet Success Lies in Calorie Intake Intermittent fasting has garnered widespread attention, championed by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Chris Pratt, as a popular approach to weight loss. However, new findings suggest that the success of this diet may not depend solely on timing but on calorie consumption. A study conducted by US researchers reveals that while limiting your eating window can help, the real factor behind weight loss is consuming fewer calories than your body needs. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that cutting calories is more critical for weight loss and…

Creo Medical, based in Chepstow, has raised £11m to support its expansion strategy through a new share placement.The firm plans to generate an additional £5m via a retail offer as part of its growth ambitions.A strategic transaction involves selling a 51% stake in Creo Europe to China’s Micro-Tech, expected to complete early next year.This financial manoeuvre aims to fortify Creo’s minimally invasive surgical endoscopy developments for cancer patients.Despite financial challenges, Creo Medical focuses on expanding its technological capabilities and market reach.Creo Medical has successfully acquired £11m in funds through a share placement with its primary institutional investors. This capital influx…

N Brown addresses the prevalent issue of incorrect clothing sizes in online shopping.The ‘Fashion for All’ campaign leverages technology and data to improve sizing accuracy.Sarah Ewens-Smythe shares insights on the campaign’s impact and sustainability at N Brown.The initiative earns the title ‘Fashion Game Changer’ at the 2023 Retail Gazette Awards.Lewis Rhys Davies discusses personalisation to foster customer loyalty in the retail sector.Consumers frequently face disappointment when online clothing purchases do not fit as expected. This not only affects customer satisfaction but also results in substantial return rates, a challenge across the UK fashion industry.N Brown has taken a proactive approach…

eBay UK has announced the removal of selling fees for private sellers across all categories, excluding motors, to compete with rising platforms like Depop and Vinted.Private sellers will not incur any final value or regulatory operating fees when selling on eBay UK.The previous removal of clothing selling fees resulted in a significant increase in listings, including jeans, shirts, and dresses.eBay UK introduces new features like simplified selling processes, AI-driven tools, and eBay Local.Kirsty Keoghan of eBay UK notes that these changes aim to enhance customer experience by offering a broader inventory and a smooth selling process.eBay UK is strategically removing…

The Works, a high street arts and crafts retailer, faced a challenging fiscal year in 2024, marked by a decline in profits.Profit before tax at The Works fell by 39% compared to the previous year, primarily driven by a tough trading environment and increased operational costs.Despite a downturn in overall sales, in-store sales saw a slight rise, although online sales significantly declined.Cost-saving measures and improved trading towards the end of the year helped The Works meet market expectations.Looking forward, early 2025 sales have aligned with projections, with slight improvements in like-for-like sales.The Works, a prominent retailer in the arts and…

A new wave of technologies is transforming financial services.Financial institutions must adopt right technologies to stay competitive.Pushback is common in digital transformations due to resistance to change.An innovation culture is key to overcoming adoption hurdles in firms.Centralised management and seamless integration enhance user experience.A new wave of technological advancements is reshaping the landscape of financial services. Banks, insurers, and financial institutions are harnessing these developments to streamline operations and create new service models for clients. Adopting the right technologies is crucial for remaining competitive in this fast-evolving industry.Despite the necessity, the path to digital transformation is often met with pushback,…

The 2024 HP Work Relationship Index reveals significant findings about AI users’ relationships with work.AI users are notably happier with their work relationship than those who do not use AI, as per the study.There is a strong desire among workers for personalised work experiences and flexible working conditions.AI plays a crucial role in improving work-life balance and productivity.Female leaders emerge with greater confidence in leadership skills, especially human skills.The 2024 HP Work Relationship Index highlights that AI users have a healthier relationship with work compared to non-users, with an 11-point happiness increase. The comprehensive study surveyed 15,600 participants across 12…