Author: Scott Dylan

WH Smith takes a bold step into the hospitality arena by unveiling its first cafe at Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital.With strategic expansion plans in place, WH Smith aims to enhance its presence in the dynamic food-to-go market.WH Smith’s Strategic Expansion into HospitalityWH Smith, a longstanding stationery retailer, is expanding into the hospitality sector with its new venture, ‘Smith’s Kitchen’. Located in Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital, the cafe marks the company’s entry into a rapidly growing hospitality segment. This strategic move aligns with WH Smith’s intent to diversify and strengthen its presence in the food-to-go market, aiming to cater to their…

The UK government is initiating discussions with Revolut, aiming to spotlight London’s appeal amid its projected listing. These talks are critical as Revolut considers the US for its IPO.The UK Treasury is concentrating efforts on enhancing London’s position as a prime location for fintech listings. The forthcoming discussions with Revolut are central to this strategy, especially as the firm contemplates a potential move to the US market. Highlighting London’s benefits could be pivotal in steering Revolut’s decision towards a local listing.New City minister Tulip Siddiq, tasked with championing London’s financial sector, will spearhead conversations with Revolut’s leadership this autumn. Her…

Retail sales in July increased by 0.5% following a summer filled with sports events and discounts.Department stores and sports equipment retailers saw significant sales growth due to seasonal promotions and sports enthusiasm.July’s retail performance marks a recovery from June’s 0.9% decline in sales figures, according to ONS data.Non-food store sales volumes rose by 1.4%, highlighting a shift from the previous month’s downturn.Online spending surged by 2.5% in July, indicating stronger digital engagement from consumers.Retail sales saw a marginal increase of 0.5% in July, driven by a bustling summer sports scene and attractive discounts. This positive trend comes after a decrease…

Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced a significant leadership change as Andrew Dawes will take the helm at the Humber sites, commencing his duties at the end of October.Mr Dawes is set to oversee operations at four major ports, reflecting ABP’s strategic focus on maintaining and enhancing their pivotal role in UK trade and energy transition.Andrew Dawes’ appointment as the regional director marks a new chapter for ABP’s Humber operations. His 30-year career in the maritime industry, with experience at renowned companies such as DP World and APM Terminals, demonstrates his extensive background in port management and operations. This experience…

In a significant financial performance, Admiral Group has marked a substantial surge in profits during the first half of 2024. The Cardiff-based company’s customer growth has played a pivotal role in enhancing its financial standing.The Admiral Group, headquartered in Cardiff, has reported a notable 32% increase in year-on-year profit, amounting to £309.8 million for the first half of 2024. Concurrently, the revenue surged by 43% to reach £3.21 billion. This impressive financial performance exceeded market expectations, primarily driven by a 12% rise in customer numbers, which now total over 10.5 million.Admiral’s ongoing investments in AI and scaled agile methodologies are…

As Citigroup lifts the EU-imposed cap on banker bonuses, the financial landscape in London undergoes a significant shift.This strategic adjustment aligns Citigroup with its major Wall Street competitors, showcasing a commitment to competitive compensation structures for top-tier talent.Introduction of New Bonus StructureCitigroup has introduced a new bonus structure for its top London bankers, allowing for greater financial incentives. This move follows decisions by other major banks to discard the EU-imposed bonus cap, enabling top-tier staff to receive rewards up to six times their base salary. Previously, the cap was set at a 2:1 ratio.This significant change is aligned with the…

Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the United States, is under scrutiny for its use of electronic shelf labels. The company is accused of implementing dynamic pricing, a technique commonly used in other industries.Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey are investigating whether Kroger’s technology results in unfair price surges during peak shopping times. The impact of such practices on consumers is significant, especially as grocery costs continue to rise.Dynamic pricing, often seen in airlines, hotels, and ride-sharing services, adjusts prices based on demand. This means prices may vary according to the time of day, weather, or other factors. While this…

In a significant move within the timber industry, Carpenter Oak Build has completed the acquisition of Xylotek, a company initiated by the late Charley Brentnall.This strategic acquisition stands to amplify Carpenter Oak Build’s international reach and preserve Xylotek’s expertise, thereby enhancing capabilities in timber construction.Carpenter Oak Build, a Devon-based firm known for its timber-framed buildings, has merged with Xylotek, established in Bristol by Charley Brentnall, Oscar Emanuel, and Martin Self. The deal, finalised on 31st July 2024, was facilitated by ReSolve but its financial terms remain undisclosed. This merger aims to leverage both firms’ strengths in traditional and modern engineered…

Liverpool City Council has announced plans to strengthen its rules regarding councillor engagement with property developers.The proposal aims to enhance transparency and public trust amid escalating scrutiny.New Protocol for CouncillorsLiverpool City Council intends to reinforce regulations governing interactions between councillors and property developers. This move aims to ensure transparency and sustain public trust. The council has issued documents detailing a proposed protocol with clear expectations for elected officials when engaging with developers and other external partners. The objective is to create a framework ensuring high ethical standards.Operation Aloft: The Catalyst for ChangeThe council’s decision to revise its interaction guidelines with…

The UK’s GDP increased by 0.6% between April and June 2024, signalling moderate growth.Services sector showed a general growth of 0.8% across various subsectors, despite a decline in consumer-facing services.Consumer-facing services experienced a minor decline of 0.1% in Q2 after a previous 0.6% increase in Q1.The professional, scientific, and technical activities subsector significantly contributed to this growth with a 2.5% rise.Key detractors included the real estate and wholesale trade sectors, which saw declines of 1.2% and 1.4% respectively.The United Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP) demonstrated a moderate increase of 0.6% from April to June 2024. This growth occurred subsequent to…