Author: Sam Allcock

Mark Shepherd has transformed London Tech Drinks into Gathr, expanding its community.Initially a small meet-up, the forum now encompasses almost 10,000 members.Gathr operates three verticals: Connect, Learn, and Find, to support tech businesses.The community aids founders, investors, and operators in overcoming growth challenges.Gathr, endorsed by industry leaders, offers a trusted platform for service recommendations.Mark Shepherd, founder of the notable gathering known as London Tech Drinks, has reimagined the community as Gathr. From its humble beginnings as casual meet-ups initiated through LinkedIn posts, the group has burgeoned into a robust forum, engaging nearly 10,000 individuals from the tech sector, including founders,…

Argos has unveiled its much-anticipated list of top toys for Christmas 2024, set to captivate children’s imaginations.The list features a blend of nostalgic favourites and innovative newcomers, designed after careful analysis by Argos’s toy experts.Iconic toys like Polly Pocket and Furby return, with Furby searches soaring by 237% on Argos’s website.Characters from popular TV shows, including Bluey and Stitch, are among this year’s top selections.Interactive and mindfulness toys are trending, with an emphasis on creativity and independent play.Argos has unveiled its much-anticipated list of top toys for Christmas 2024, set to captivate children’s imaginations. The retailer’s experts have meticulously crafted…

Waitrose has announced a significant investment aimed at reducing prices on select premium and organic products.The retailer’s £10 million initiative is the first phase in a comprehensive price reduction strategy.Approximately 250 items, including favourites, will see decreased prices, enhancing value for consumers.This adjustment is part of a broader £140 million investment in price cuts over the past 18 months.The price reductions align with the celebration of Organic Month in September.Waitrose has introduced a substantial price reduction across nearly 250 products within its No.1 and Duchy organic ranges. Utilising a £10 million investment, this marks the commencement of a strategic initiative…

Waitrose has committed £10m to reduce prices on 250 premium products.This initiative is part of a broader £140m investment in price cuts over 18 months.This marks the sixth instance of price reductions by Waitrose since early 2023.The new ‘Lower Prices’ campaign has benefitted nearly 1,400 products so far.Customers are encouraged to explore the organic products available during Organic Month.Waitrose has taken a significant step in improving affordability for consumers by allocating £10 million to reduce the prices of nearly 250 products in its No.1 and Duchy organic ranges. This investment is the latest phase in Waitrose’s ongoing commitment to delivering…

Suzi Williams will step down as chair of JD Sports’ remuneration committee, concluding her efforts in enhancing the group’s remuneration structure. She has served since May 2022, playing a pivotal role in policy overhaul.Williams will officially relinquish her role on 1 November, transitioning after a significant phase of governance changes.She led the initiative to streamline the company’s remuneration policies, enhancing shareholder engagement.Angela Luger, with substantial experience, will take over as the new chair on 1 October.Darren Shapland will succeed Luger as the ESG committee chair, ensuring continuity in governance.Suzi Williams, who has served as JD Sports’ remuneration committee chair since…

Rob Singer, an experienced C-suite executive from Remitly and Ancestry, has been appointed as the new CEO of Exclaimer, a Hampshire-based marketing tech firm.Singer previously served as CEO of Native Instruments, where he honed his leadership skills in the technology and marketing sectors.Gordon Willoughby, the non-executive chairman at Exclaimer, expressed strong confidence in Singer’s ability to drive the company forward.Singer aims to leverage Exclaimer’s unique position in marketing and technology to enhance customer engagement.The company has seen financial success under the previous CEO, Marco Costa, presenting a solid foundation for future growth.Rob Singer, known for his C-suite roles at Remitly…

Post-Brexit checks on fruit and vegetables from the EU to Britain face a third delay, extending to July next year.These import inspections aim to categorise goods by risk and were due this January, with celery and tomatoes marked for initial implementation.Medium-risk produce will enjoy an easement period until July, free from checks and fees in the meantime.Apples and pears are now classified as low risk, requiring no checks from the previous medium-risk status.The delays raise concerns of increased consumer costs, as import expenses may surge by £200m.In an ongoing development, the UK government has postponed post-Brexit inspections of fruits and…

This year has seen notable legal cases in the grocery sector, influencing both companies and employees alike.Over 60,000 Asda employees are affected by a case regarding unequal pay between retail and warehouse workers.Tesco’s ‘fire and rehire’ practices were challenged and lost in the Supreme Court, affecting retained pay agreements.Oatly won a crucial battle against the UK dairy industry, securing their right to use ‘milk’ on plant-based products.Diageo faces legal action over property damage from ‘angel’s share’ fungus caused by their distilleries.Deliveroo riders’ status as non-workers was upheld, impacting their ability to unionise.The second stage of a pivotal court case involving…

Deliveroo’s CEO, Will Shu, recently sold £15 million worth of shares following the company achieving its first profit since going public.Between September 12 and 16, Shu sold 9.4 million shares to fund personal property investments, retaining 95.8 million shares.Despite the sale, investor confidence remains buoyant, with a nearly 30% rise in Deliveroo’s share price over the past year.The company reported a £1.3 million profit for the first half of the year, contrasting sharply with an £82.9 million loss a year earlier.Deliveroo continues to expand into new markets and product categories, with a strategic focus on maintaining profitability and growth.Deliveroo’s CEO,…

Lincolnshire Co-op has announced a significant investment in renewable energy by installing solar panels at 62 additional sites.Previously, the retailer had solar panels at 11 sites, generating 225,000 KWH annually.The new installations are projected to generate an additional 1.8 million KWH per year.This move will reduce the company’s indirect CO2 emissions by approximately 10%.The initiative aligns with Lincolnshire Co-op’s broader commitment to sustainability and community welfare.Lincolnshire Co-op is embarking on a substantial expansion of its solar panel infrastructure, dedicating over £2 million to this renewable energy project. The expansion will see installations at 62 new locations, building on the 11…