Author: Sam Allcock

Louis Vuitton prepares to open its new store and cafe at Heathrow Terminal 2, collaborating with renowned French chef Cyril Lignac.The new venue is set to feature futuristic designs by Marc Fornes, focusing on womenswear, menswear, and leather goods.This opening marks the first collaboration between Louis Vuitton and chef Cyril Lignac, offering an exclusive dining experience.Le Café by Cyril Lignac includes a unique menu featuring crab curry salad and Louis Vuitton-inspired pastries.The Heathrow location expands Louis Vuitton’s hospitality portfolio, adding to its array of global restaurants and cafes.Louis Vuitton is gearing up for the grand opening of its latest store…

Tesco and Lidl are leading figures in the British apple market, showcasing impressive growth against market trends.Tesco has been named the leading supermarket for British apples by British Apple & Pears Limited (BAPL).Tesco’s 2024 sales figures surpassed Aldi’s previous record, with 26,705 tonnes sold.Lidl’s innovative strategies resulted in a 51% increase in apple sales over a single promotion day.Both supermarkets illustrate the importance of supporting British growers and adapting to market demands.Tesco and Lidl are currently at the forefront of the British apple market, demonstrating remarkable growth contrary to prevailing market trends. Their achievements highlight a shared commitment to supporting…

Next has acquired a 16% stake in Rockett St George, aiming to enhance its collaborative ventures.The acquisition, valued at £800,000, reflects a strategic partnership strengthening between Next and Rockett St George.A director from Next is set to join the board at Rockett St George, marking a deeper corporate integration.Rockett St George projects an expansion of its product offerings and market reach following the investment.This move follows Next’s pattern of increasing stakes in various retail entities, including Reiss and FatFace.Next, a dominant name in the retail sector, has expanded its investment portfolio by acquiring a 16% stake in the homeware and…

Raspberry Pi Plc surpasses profit expectations in its first financial update following its IPO on the London Stock Exchange, highlighting a successful market presence.The company achieved significant revenue growth, reporting a 61% increase, reaching £107.9 million in the first half of the year.The IPO raised £178.9 million, a notable contribution to the London Stock Exchange during a challenging period for new listings.Raspberry Pi’s recent inclusion in the FTSE 250 index marks a significant milestone for the tech firm.The company anticipates continued growth with new product launches and higher unit volumes in the second half of the year.In its first financial…

Dash Water is on course to achieve its first pre-tax profit this year, reflecting its significant growth within the beverage sector.The brand’s projected sales for 2024 are expected to reach £35 million, marking a milestone achievement for the company.Victoria Beckham has collaborated with Dash Water for ‘Posh’ branded cans at her Paris Fashion Week show, underscoring the brand’s expanding influence.Dash Water recently challenged Coca-Cola with a campaign highlighting the use of artificial sweeteners in soft drinks, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.Co-founder Jack Scott envisions a future where Dash Water competes globally, offering consumers more choice in the soft drink market.Dash…

Aldi has chosen Card Factory as its exclusive supplier for greeting cards across the UK and Ireland.The multi-year partnership will cover Aldi’s expanding network of 1,200 stores.Card Factory, since 2019, has provided greeting cards to half of Aldi’s UK stores.This agreement succeeds the previous shared contract with IG Design Group.Card Factory also collaborates with Just Eat for a rapid delivery service in select UK cities.Aldi, known for its cost-effective retail strategy, has announced Card Factory as its official supplier of greeting cards for both the UK and Irish markets. This multi-year contract signifies a strategic move as Aldi’s store count…

The UK has experienced a significant increase in low-alcohol beer sales, outpacing many other global markets. The rise in sales is partly due to advantageous post-Brexit tax duties and a wave of new product launches.Sales of low-alcohol beer in the UK have doubled from 2022 to 2023, reaching almost 1.3 million hectolitres, as reported by the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR).The UK has climbed to become the eighth-largest market globally for low-strength beer, moving up from the thirteenth position in 2022.A new post-Brexit alcohol duty system has been introduced, which taxes drinks with less than 3.5% alcohol by volume…

The UK’s food supply chain faces significant threats as labour shortages impact production levels.A survey by Arla revealed that labour shortages are pressuring UK farmers, prompting some to reduce herd sizes.One in 12 dairy farmers have cut output, while 16% may exit if conditions do not improve.Wage inflation in the food sector is exacerbated by staff shortages, leading to competition among employers.Arla is collaborating with the government to enhance career opportunities in the food industry.The UK’s food supply chain is under substantial stress due to prevalent labour shortages. A survey conducted by the dairy cooperative Arla involving 472 dairy farmers…

An investigation is underway at Harrods concerning potential staff involvement in serious allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed.The BBC report revealed accusations from 20 former female employees linking Al Fayed to rape and sexual assault.Harrods is collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and conducting an internal review to assess any staff involvement.Claims suggest some current employees may have facilitated Al Fayed’s actions, prompting further investigation.A non-executive committee at Harrods is examining issues arising from these serious allegations.Harrods is conducting a thorough investigation into whether any of its current employees were involved in the allegations of rape and sexual assault against its former…

Frasers Group has significantly reduced its investment in Currys, reflecting a shift in its strategic approach.Originally holding a 10.9% stake in Currys, Frasers Group has now decreased its shareholding to 2.8%.This move comes after Frasers initially labelled its investment in Currys as a ‘strategic investment’.Frasers had acquired a substantial 9% stake in Currys back in June of the previous year.The decision hints at a possible re-evaluation of the collaboration potential between Currys and Frasers.Frasers Group, under the control of Mike Ashley, has notably lowered its shares in Currys, shifting from a 10.9% holding to a mere 2.8%. This adjustment marks…