Author: Scott Dylan

Go Outdoors, owned by JD Sports, opens Europe’s largest outdoor store in York.The 125,000 sq ft store was inaugurated by celebrity ambassador Helen Skelton.Offering 380 brands, the store includes popular names like Adidas and Merrell.State-of-the-art technology like foot scanners enhances customer experience.CEO Lee Bagnall discusses the store’s innovative strategies and future plans.JD Sports-owned Go Outdoors has officially launched Europe’s most extensive outdoor store, located in York’s Vangarde Shopping Park. The store, which spans 125,000 sq ft, was inaugurated on 7th September by prominent TV personality and brand ambassador Helen Skelton. This significant venue features a soft launch that occurred on…

Superdry has entered a licensing agreement with Next to launch its first kidswear range.The collection will be available online through Next’s platform in October and selected UK stores by November.Next will design and manufacture the 95-piece collection with Superdry, targeting children aged two to ten.The collection will focus on high-quality, sustainable materials, including organic cotton and recycled yarn.Next has shown substantial growth in its childrenswear licensing, with significant year-on-year sales increases.Superdry has announced a new licensing agreement with Next, marking its venture into the kidswear market. This collaboration will see the introduction of Superdry’s inaugural children’s clothing line, set to…

French Connection is enhancing its presence by partnering with Very and expanding its store network across the UK.The brand will launch its AW24 womenswear range on Very, featuring tailored occasionwear and dresses.In 2025, French Connection’s menswear will also be available on the platform, starting with the SS25 collection.By the end of 2024, four to five new store locations will open, exceeding previous expansion plans.Recent store openings include locations in Guildford, Livingston Designer Outlet, and Clarks Village in Somerset.French Connection is set to increase its market reach through a strategic partnership with digital retailer Very, offering its Autumn/Winter 2024 womenswear line…

The unveiling of groundbreaking plans for two Greater Manchester stations offers a glimpse into the future of regional rail travel. Network Rail’s ambitious vision for Mossley and Greenfield stations promises substantial improvements under the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) initiative.Overview of the Transpennine Route UpgradeNetwork Rail has proposed significant upgrades as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a multi-billion-pound initiative aimed at enhancing travel in the North. This major scheme promises faster, more frequent, and environmentally friendly trains, fostering connectivity between Manchester, Leeds, and York. The improvements will revolutionise the regional railway system.Planned Relocation and Enhancements for Mossley StationIn an…

D2Zero, an industry leader in clean energy, has acquired Hull-based OSL Consulting Engineers in a significant move to fortify its presence in the energy sector.The acquisition, part of an undisclosed deal, shows D2Zero’s commitment to expanding its technological capabilities and market reach.Strategic Acquisition and IntegrationHull-based OSL Consulting Engineers has been successfully acquired by the advancing clean energy group, D2Zero. This strategic integration was finalised through an undisclosed financial agreement, reflecting D2Zero’s dynamic approach within the energy sector. The acquisition fortifies D2Zero’s position as it establishes its global headquarters in Aberdeen, strengthening its infrastructure with additional expertise in energy design and…

Drapers highlights the importance of independent retailers as key community figures this autumn.The State of Independents 2024 survey reveals optimism despite numerous challenges faced by retailers.Shoplifting and threatening behaviour against staff are significant issues, with low conviction rates reported.High levels of stress, fatigue, and burnout affect the majority of independent retailers.Resilience and community involvement are celebrated by business owners despite the high-pressure environment.In the latest issue, Drapers underscores the significance of independent retailers within local communities, portraying them as essential to the vibrancy and character of high streets. This perspective is particularly relevant as the Drapers Independents Awards approaches, highlighting…

A digital consultancy has recently secured £1.6m from the British Business Bank. This investment is part of a larger initiative supporting innovation across the South West region.With the aim of driving economic development, the South West Investment Fund has dispersed over £5m to ten businesses, signaling a strong commitment to fostering regional growth.Digital Firm Secures FundingA prominent digital consultancy, Changing Social Limited, has successfully garnered £1.6 million in equity funding from the esteemed British Business Bank. This significant investment forms a part of the bank’s ambitious mission to foster innovation and propel economic growth within the South West region. By…

The UK StartUp Awards celebrates the achievements of the most promising new businesses across the United Kingdom.This year, the awards will be held at Ideas Fest, a unique event combining business insights with a festival atmosphere to foster networking and relaxation.Recognising Excellence in UK Start-UpsThe forthcoming UK StartUp Awards marks a pivotal point in the enterprise landscape, acknowledging the most innovative start-ups within the United Kingdom. Since its inception in Wales in 2016, the awards have grown to encompass all ten regions and nations, aiming to identify and honour outstanding new businesses in a variety of sectors, including agritech, medtech,…

The West Midlands is taking a bold step towards a sustainable future with the latest cohort of green transport innovators.Nineteen firms have been selected to join the Clean Futures accelerator, aiming to revolutionize transportation in the region.Funding Secured for Green Transport InnovationsNineteen small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the West Midlands have secured a place in the new Clean Futures accelerator programme. Run by the London-based Connected Places Catapult, the accelerator supports companies aiming to address environmental challenges in the rail and automotive industries. These firms will receive up to £50,000 each, enabling them to trial innovative products and services…

Poppy Gustafsson is set to depart from Darktrace following its acquisition by Thoma Bravo. This move marks a significant transition for the cybersecurity company.As co-founder, Gustafsson played a pivotal role in shaping Darktrace’s direction. Her departure signals a new phase for both her and the company.In a recent announcement on LinkedIn, Poppy Gustafsson, esteemed for her leadership in the cybersecurity sector, confirmed her decision to step down from Darktrace. She will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Jil Popelka. This leadership change follows the completion of Darktrace’s acquisition by private equity firm Thoma Bravo.Gustafsson expressed immense pride in what Darktrace…