Author: Scott Dylan

Frasers Group has announced a strategic investment in Hudson Malta, signalling a significant expansion in the Maltese and North African markets.Frasers now holds a substantial non-controlling share in Hudson Malta, a prominent retail distributor active in Malta and 36 African nations.This partnership will introduce Sports Direct and lifestyle brand USC to Malta, with initial store launches anticipated in 2025.There is potential for Frasers Group to increase its investment in Hudson, possibly leading to a controlling interest in the future.Both companies aim to leverage each other’s strengths for international growth, particularly in the EMEA region.Frasers Group has cemented its international expansion…

Boots has reported substantial growth in its retail sales for the fourteenth consecutive quarter, highlighting strong performance across various sectors.The company saw a 6.2% increase in retail sales during the fourth quarter, with skincare and premium beauty products being primary contributors.Boots achieved a full-year sales growth of 6.9%, supported by robust performances in health, beauty, convenience, and flagship stores.Digital sales enhanced by 18.7%, now making up nearly 15% of total sales and marking a significant uptick in online engagement.An influx of 55 new beauty brands and an upsurge in pharmacy sales underscore Boots’ expanding market presence.Boots has successfully marked its…

A new legal tech, shizl, has launched in the UK to assist SMEs in legal contract processes.Founded by experienced legal professionals, shizl offers jargon-free legal guidance.The platform targets businesses at all stages of their lifecycle, from startups to enterprises.CEO Mark Edgeworth highlights the importance of basic legal fundamentals for business owners.shizl provides accessible, personalised document management through an intuitive interface.Today marks the launch of shizl, a new online legal technology company in the UK, aiming to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing legal contracts. With an emphasis on making the legal process less daunting, shizl provides straightforward and…

UK primary school students aged 7-11 are invited to a new design competition.The challenge involves designing a gadget to enhance the performance of Gladiators.The competition is a collaboration with BBC Children’s and the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.Participants have until 6 December to submit three entries per school.Winning teams can receive computing equipment, a prototype and a special coding day.The initiative is focused on challenging students in UK primary schools, specifically those aged between 7 and 11 years, to engage in a creative competition. This competition seeks to inspire the young minds by inviting them to design sports gadgets for the popular…

Absolute Agency achieves remarkable success in 2024, marking a year of growth and innovation.Gemma Illidge promoted to spearhead digital expansion as Head of Digital.The agency welcomes two seasoned experts, Aaron Hargreaves and Sam Austin, to enhance digital offerings.Investment in Absolute Control’s next iteration leads to significant growth in digital turnover.Upcoming release of Absolute Control v7.0 with AI-driven tools promises transformative change.Absolute Agency has demonstrated exceptional success in 2024, achieving remarkable growth and innovation. This year, the agency is celebrating numerous milestones, including key promotions and strategic hires that are intended to bolster its expanding digital department.Leading the agency’s digital expansion…

The sale of a Segro-owned warehouse to Imperial College marks a significant development in scientific innovation. Imperial intends to transform the Victoria Road site into a hub for early-stage companies.Segro divested the 10-acre Park Royal estate for £115m, owned since 2009.The decision comes after a decline in occupancy and considerations for redevelopment.Imperial’s acquisition aligns with its ‘Westtech Corridor’ initiative to advance technology.Local partners support future mixed-use development to revitalise the area.Segro, a major player in the real estate sector, has completed the sale of its urban warehouse estate on Victoria Road, West London, to Imperial College London. The transaction, valued…

The International Investment Summit has marked a significant milestone for the UK economy, attracting sizeable financial commitments and creating jobs.The summit saw a staggering £63 billion pledged towards UK development, more than doubling last year’s figures.Major investments were announced in technology and green energy sectors, signifying an ongoing commitment to sustainable growth.The event highlighted significant contributions from global corporations, indicating strong international confidence in the UK market.Key projects from the summit include data centres, green energy initiatives, and significant advancements in life sciences.The International Investment Summit has proven to be a landmark event for the UK, bringing in £63 billion…

Boots UK has achieved significant financial growth, driven by increases in online and makeup sales.The Nottingham-based company has seen a 6.9% turnover rise in the past year.Retail sales rose 6.2% in the final quarter, with digital sales up by 18.7%.Makeup sales increased by nearly 15%, highlighting strong sector performance.Boots is focused on maximising its Christmas trading period.Boots UK has reported a noteworthy enhancement in its annual financial performance, largely propelled by substantial growth in online and makeup sales. The company’s turnover has increased by 6.9% for the year ending 31 August 2024, indicating a robust year-on-year performance.In the final quarter,…

Shift Bioscience, based in Cambridge, leverages generative AI to reverse ageing.The company secured £12.2m in seed funding led by the Business Growth Fund.Their AI platform focuses on gene activation to rejuvenate cells and fight ageing.Founder Dr Daniel Ives emphasises addressing limitations in treating age-related diseases.Jonathan Milner joins the board following the funding boost.Located in Cambridge, Shift Bioscience is at the forefront of using generative AI to combat the ageing process. This innovative approach focuses on rejuvenating cells by understanding and activating specific genes.The startup has successfully secured £12.2m in a seed funding round led by the Business Growth Fund (BGF).…

Silentnight’s recent acquisition of Sleepeezee has led to a notable revenue increase, reaching £143.8m, up by 29% compared to the previous year.The UK-based company attributes this success to burgeoning business-to-business demand and a strong performance from its consumer division.Despite challenging market conditions, Silentnight’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew significantly by 43%.Pre-tax profits rose from £6.3m to £10.0m, marking a substantial improvement in financial performance.The strategic merger with Sleepeezee is expected to enhance Silentnight’s market position and product offering.Silentnight, a well-established mattress supplier, has reported a substantial increase in revenue following its acquisition of Sleepeezee, a renowned…