Author: Scott Dylan

Applied Nutrition is set to launch a £500m IPO on the London Stock Exchange, one of the largest listings this year.The Liverpool-based company’s IPO follows a year of significant growth, expanding its market to over 80 countries.Existing shares will be sold in the offering, targeting both institutional and retail investors.Recent executive appointments, including Andy Bell as chair, bolster the company’s leadership team for the IPO.The IPO is a strategic move amidst a challenging market, with fewer companies listing on the London Stock Exchange.Applied Nutrition has announced intentions to make a significant entry into the public market with a £500 million…

Matalan’s CEO Jo Whitfield has resigned after 18 transformative months.Whitfield’s departure is part of a strategic career shift for a ‘portfolio career’.Significant progress was made at Matalan under Whitfield’s leadership.Matalan’s chair, Karl-Heinz Holland, will interim as executive chair.A search for Whitfield’s replacement is already underway.Jo Whitfield, the Chief Executive Officer of Matalan, has stepped down from her role after an impactful 18-month tenure. Her resignation marks a strategic move towards pursuing a ‘portfolio career’. This decision coincides with a similar leadership change at the John Lewis Partnership, where the group CEO, Nish Kankiwala, is transitioning to a non-executive role.During her…

Sosandar is expanding its presence in the United Kingdom with the upcoming launch of its fourth store in Cardiff.The Cardiff store will be located in the prestigious St David’s shopping centre alongside notable brands.This follows recent openings in Chelmsford, Marlow, and Newcastle’s Metrocentre.The retailer is also expanding internationally with a planned launch in Ireland.Sosandar aims to open up to 50 new stores as part of a significant growth strategy.Sosandar is set to unveil its fourth store within Cardiff’s renowned St David’s shopping centre. This strategic location places the store amidst high-profile brands, enhancing its visibility and accessibility to a broad…

M&S is pioneering autonomous farming with drones and robot tractors, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance crop quality.The UK retail giant is the first to test this innovative method on parsnip production, with expectations for improved yield and ecological benefits.Partnership with Huntapac has enabled M&S to plant initial trials of parsnips in Yorkshire, involving cutting-edge agricultural robotics.Two types of drones monitor and maintain crop health, while robots handle tasks like bed forming, weeding, and planting.This initiative is the first under M&S’s sustainability-driven Plan A accelerator fund, highlighting innovative steps towards net zero.M&S has embarked on an ambitious initiative to…

Kubus, based in Cirencester, has secured a significant £9m investment from BGF.The investment will allow Kubus to accelerate its global growth initiatives.Paul Brennan joins Kubus as non-executive chair, bringing expertise from previous roles.Kubus maintains strong vendor ties with Dell, Fortinet, and Cisco.BGF investors express confidence in Kubus’s market position and growth potential.A Cirencester-based IT support firm, Kubus, has secured a £9m boost from the growth capital investor BGF to expedite its expansion efforts. This substantial investment marks a key milestone for the company, known for its robust vendor relationships with technology giants such as Dell, Fortinet, and Cisco.As part of…

Dunelm is set to open its inaugural central London store, marking a significant expansion into the capital at the Westfield London shopping centre.The new 4,500 square foot store will offer an enhanced shopping experience with Dunelm’s latest homeware and furniture collections.Located in White City, this store aims to attract high footfall and is part of Dunelm’s broader strategy to establish a strong presence in London.Nick Wilkinson, CEO of Dunelm, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to bring the brand closer to Londoners and expand further across the UK.Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield UK highlights this opening as a commitment to creating premier shopping destinations with…

House prices in the UK rose for the third consecutive month in September, nearing record highs.According to Halifax, prices increased by 0.3% in September, continuing a recovery trend seen since August.Over the past year, house prices have risen by 4.7%, marking the highest annual inflation rate since November 2022.The improving market conditions are attributed to falling interest rates and enhanced buyer confidence.Despite positive trends, regional disparities and affordability challenges remain evident across the UK.House prices increased by 0.3% in September, according to data from Halifax, mirroring the rise experienced in August. This marks the third consecutive month of growth in…

SRT Marine, a maritime technology firm, announced a significant contract award.This contract, valued at USD 213 million, involves a new international government client.The project entails developing a comprehensive national maritime surveillance system.Expected completion of the contract formalities is by the end of November.SRT is poised to provide long-term support and maintenance post-delivery.SRT Marine, an AIM-listed company in North East Somerset, has been awarded a substantial contract to deliver an advanced maritime surveillance system. The contract, worth USD 213 million, is with a new international government client and has been formally announced by the company.The surveillance system project includes integrating multiple…

Richemont has confirmed the sale of its Yoox Net-a-Porter division to MyTheresa, a transaction poised to reshape the digital luxury space.MyTheresa will acquire full ownership of YNAP, with the deal scheduled to finalise in early 2025.The acquisition includes a cash position of £463m and a £83m revolving credit facility provided by Richemont.MyTheresa aims to integrate YNAP into a singular group with distinct storefronts for better efficiency.Richemont’s divestment of YNAP, once valued at €5.3bn, comes amidst a €3.4bn asset write-down.Luxury conglomerate Richemont has reached an agreement to sell its Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP) business to the German e-commerce platform, MyTheresa. This strategic…

Mulberry, the iconic British brand, is at a crossroads following a rejected takeover bid from Frasers Group.Founder Roger Saul suggests Mulberry would align better with luxury giant LVMH.The company’s reliance on handbags is seen as a limitation by its founder.Frasers Group’s offer was deemed insufficient by Mulberry’s board.The situation highlights the competitive nature of the luxury retail market.Mulberry, a distinguished name in British luxury fashion, has recently faced a significant business decision after turning down a takeover proposal from Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group. The offer, valued at £83 million, equated to 130p per share, presenting a 30% premium over Mulberry’s…