Author: Scott Dylan

The Fintech Awards London 2023 celebrated the achievements of the fintech industry on the 21st of June. Held at The Underglobe, the event recognised outstanding contributions in the sector.Hosted by Julia Streets, CEO of Streets Consulting, the awards night attracted a broad spectrum of guests from the global fintech community, highlighting the significance of the fintech sector in London and beyond.Fintech Company of the YearPeer-to-peer lending service Zopa, which launched in 2005 and secured a full banking licence in 2020, won the award for Fintech Company of the Year. Zopa has been a key player in the fintech industry, providing…

Iceland has restructured its area manager roles to cover geographic regions, impacting both Iceland and The Food Warehouse brands.This strategic shift aims to enhance operational efficiency by allowing managers to oversee stores within a specific locale.The change seeks to minimise travel time for managers while offering new growth pathways within the company.There are concerns among employees about potential job security issues resulting from these changes.No redundancies have been confirmed, although Iceland continues to face challenges such as store closures and escalating costs.Iceland has recently redefined the roles of its area managers, who will now oversee both Iceland and The Food…

A growing concern among customer service staff is the rise in abuse due to economic pressures.Research from the Institute of Customer Service highlights that 44% of staff are considering leaving their roles.42% of customer-facing staff report experiencing hostility in the last six months.The cost-of-living crisis is identified as a significant trigger for customer frustrations.A legal change now considers assaulting retail staff an aggravated offence, yet safety concerns remain.The rising levels of customer abuse have become a significant issue, with 44% of customer service employees contemplating leaving their positions due to these challenges. This trend has been confirmed by a survey…

Snapchat recently introduced its ‘My AI’ chatbot to all users, causing immediate concern among parents.Lyndsi Lee of East Prairie, Missouri, is particularly worried for her 13-year-old daughter, urging her to avoid the feature.Lyndsi Lee, a mother and software company employee, is apprehensive about ‘My AI’ and its impact on young users. She is particularly troubled by how My AI presents itself, blending in with human interactions, which makes it hard for her daughter to distinguish between machines and people.Following the rollout, Snapchat users expressed their concerns prominently on social media. One user described his interaction with My AI as ‘terrifying’…

In a challenging year, UK food banks have distributed almost three million emergency food parcels.This marks a 37% increase compared to the previous year, as cost-of-living pressures escalate.More than one million parcels were designated for children, highlighting rising child poverty.The Trussell Trust’s findings show a worrying reliance on food banks across the UK.Calls for government action to adjust benefit levels are intensifying amidst these findings.The latest data from the Trussell Trust reveals that food banks across the UK have issued nearly three million emergency food parcels in the past year. This marks a 37% increase from the previous year, setting…

A troubling method of iPhone theft is becoming more prevalent. Offenders are not only stealing the devices but also locking owners out permanently.A sophisticated yet alarming tactic of gaining control over a user’s iPhone and locking them out is on the rise. Thieves exploit a security feature called the recovery key, making it almost impossible for the original owners to access their data, messages, photos, and more. There are also reports of thieves accessing financial apps and draining bank accounts.Executing this kind of takeover is not straightforward. Thieves need to observe the user entering their passcode, often by looking over…

Brakes, a wholesale foodservice supplier, is implementing a price freeze on 1,850 own-brand products until October 2023 to support food businesses during rising inflation.The initiative covers a selection of frozen and ambient products, providing stability for essential items amidst economic uncertainty.Products such as baked beans, tuna chunks, chopped tomatoes, and sugar are among the cupboard staples included in the price stability effort.Frozen goods, including hash browns and chicken chunks, will also retain their prices, offering predictability for foodservice operators.The move aligns with other retailers like M&S and Tesco, which have extended price locks on various products to assist consumers.In a…

A new survey reveals strong enthusiasm among Brits for the King’s Coronation celebrations this May.Approximately 63% of the UK population intends to participate in local street parties marking the event.Young people, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are more inclined to join these celebrations compared to older generations.Despite financial pressures, most attendees are willing to contribute financially to these events.Londoners are notably enthusiastic, with a high percentage planning to host street celebrations.A recent survey highlights that 63% of the UK population plans to attend local street party celebrations for the King’s Coronation this May. This substantial participation underscores the historic significance…

Aldi is introducing the viral Prime Hydration drinks with new flavours.The drinks, created by KSI and Logan Paul, will be available nationwide.Prime Hydration will be offered as a Specialbuy with limited availability.A purchase limit has been set to ensure wider distribution to consumers.The drink is known for its coconut water, electrolytes, and zero sugar.Aldi has announced its decision to stock Prime Hydration, a popular energy drink by social media influencers KSI and Logan Paul. Available from today, the new range introduces several flavours and will be distributed across stores in the UK at a recommended retail price of £1.99.Recognising the…

Iceland has unveiled a new ‘Local’ store format in Wolverhampton, operated by SGN Retail.The store is located on a Texaco forecourt, incorporating a Costcutter.Customers can purchase petrol and groceries at a single point of sale.The store features a variety of aisles, with a frozen section supplied by Iceland.Iceland plans further expansion of this concept following its launch.Iceland has introduced a new ‘Local’ convenience store in Wolverhampton, marking a significant development in its retail offerings. This new format is managed by SGN Retail and is strategically located on a Texaco garage forecourt, providing a unique shopping experience by combining refueling and…