Author: Scott Dylan

The bus fare cap in England will increase from £2 to £3 under a new budget plan.Introduced as a cost-of-living measure, the previous £2 cap set by the Conservative government was due to expire.The new cap will be effective until the end of 2025, impacting millions of regular bus users.Fares in London and Greater Manchester remain unaffected due to different funding arrangements.Environmental groups have criticised the decision, arguing it may not support low-income travellers.The decision to raise the bus fare cap to £3 was announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, marking an increase from the previous £2 limit implemented…

Sunderland’s WTTB is making significant strides in its digital operations.Scott Holland joins WTTB to drive digital and ecommerce strategies.WTTB partners with marketing and creative agencies for advanced print solutions.The company aims to diversify into new markets while enhancing existing connections.WTTB collaborates with Precision Proco for nationwide coverage and expertise.Sunderland-based WTTB, previously known as Where The Trade Buys, is gearing up for a digital transformation. By appointing Scott Holland, a seasoned professional in the field, to guide the board on digital and ecommerce strategies, WTTB is positioning itself for future growth. With extensive experience, Holland is anticipated to play a crucial…

Lidl is swiftly advancing its expansion across the United Kingdom with a significant £70 million sale and leaseback arrangement, ensuring the opening of 10 new stores before Christmas.The recent sale and leaseback transaction, a collaboration between Roadside Real Estate and Meadow Partners, involves 12 new stores in various locations including Crediton, Manchester, and Saffron Walden. Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s chief development officer, commented on this development, asserting the company’s ongoing efforts to broaden its reach, thus providing more households with access to a Lidl store close to their homes.In the lead-up to the festive season, Lidl is set to unveil…

AB InBev has reported a notable rise in profits for the third quarter, despite facing a decline in volumes due to challenging consumer conditions.The global brewing giant, known for brands such as Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, has announced a significant increase in profits, rising by 13.9 per cent to £1.48 billion. Sales for the quarter have also slightly increased by 2.1 per cent, despite overall volumes witnessing a downturn of 2.4 per cent.While the company has experienced a decrease in beer volumes by 3.1 per cent, there has been a slight rise of 0.6 per cent in non-beer volumes.…

Liverpool’s Birl is gearing up for Nordic growth with significant financial backing.A £500k pre-seed investment has unlocked an additional £350k Innovate UK grant for Birl.Birl offers a user-friendly way to resell clothing directly on brand websites, fostering sustainability.The platform will soon expand to sports shirt trade-in solutions, partnering with major clubs.Birl is on course for a £1m revenue target by 2025, supported by effective brand partnerships.Liverpool-based startup Birl is poised for expansion into the Nordic regions, bolstered by substantial financial support. With a successful pre-seed investment of £500k and the unlocking of an additional £350k Innovate UK grant, the company…

In the latest Ofcom review, Evri has been identified as the worst delivery service in the UK, with nearly half of its users reporting issues.According to the postal regulator, 44% of Evri’s customers experienced problems with their deliveries over the past six months.Complaints about Evri often involve delayed parcels, incorrect delivery locations, and insufficient recipient notification.Despite a slight improvement in complaint handling, customer satisfaction with Evri remains low compared to peers.The review highlights a persistent challenge for disabled customers in receiving reliable delivery services.The recent Ofcom examination has again highlighted significant customer service challenges faced by Evri, previously known as…

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its investigation into allegations of ‘greenwashing’ by a major conglomerate after the company made changes to its marketing tactics.The investigation began in December 2023 when questions were raised about the company’s adherence to consumer protection laws. Claims that were under scrutiny involved the use of broad language concerning the environmental impact of certain household products. There were accusations that the company exaggerated the natural components of its products and used misleading colours and imagery in packaging to imply environmental friendliness.The products in question spanned across widely used supermarket cleaning items, toiletries, and…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves addresses concerns over potential tariffs following Trump’s re-election, emphasising the importance of UK-US trade.Reeves highlights the UK’s commitment to “free and open trade” with the US amidst possible tariff changes.The Chancellor acknowledges Trump’s focus on domestic manufacturing and economic sovereignty while supporting global trade links.Reeves stands firm on the UK’s critical £311bn trading relationship with the US and its broader implications.She reassures that the UK will work to influence the global trading framework while opposing unwarranted tariffs.In the wake of Mr Trump’s re-election, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has calmed worries about potential looming tariffs, asserting the UK’s dedication…

New Look has announced a shift in its office attendance policy for its buying, merchandising, and design staff.Starting January, BMD staff will be required to work in the office four days a week, an increase from the current three days.Fridays will continue to serve as a hybrid workday for these employees.The decision aligns New Look with broader industry trends in the retail sector.The change aims to enhance collaboration and responsiveness to market changes.New Look has confirmed a new office attendance policy specifically for its buying, merchandising, and design departments, known collectively as BMD. This strategic shift will require them to…

New Look has decided to increase in-office workdays for its buying, merchandising, and design teams, aligning with industry trends.Previously, the teams worked three days a week in the office; this will change to four days starting January.Friday will remain a flexible hybrid day despite the increased office presence for the teams involved.The decision will not affect other departments, which will continue with their current in-office schedules.The move is intended to improve collaboration, foster creativity, and enhance responsiveness to market changes.New Look, a prominent player in the fashion retail sector, has announced a shift in its working practices for specific departments.…