Business in 2016 will benefit from an improved global economic backdrop but must prepare for volatility in emerging markets, argues a new special report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit. For many companies, China's slowdown and continued global pressure on
Facebook is testing new features on its business pages which are designed to improve the shopping experience and make it easier for shoppers to find new products from mobile devices. Here the company explains the changes and the thinking behind
Amazon.co.uk today launches the Business, Industrial & Scientific Supplies Store(www.amazon.co.uk/industry) featuring more than half a million products including Lab & Scientific Products, Professional Medical Supplies, Power & Hand Tools, Additive Manufacturing Products including 3D printing, Janitorial & Sanitation Supplies, Occupational Health &
Tyrrells Potato Crisps, the UK premium crisp brand, has been sold to institutional investor Investcorp by its management, led by CEO David Milner and shareholder Langholm Capital. The deal values the business at £100m. Investcorp is a leading provider and manager
The House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills committee (BIS) is calling for changes to the Bill creating an adjudicator for disputes between suppliers and retailers under the Groceries Code. The Committee calls for the powers to fine to be
Fewer retail and wholesale businesses went into administration in the last quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal. But a leading financial adviser has warned this is the lull
Customer service is more important than price for businesses competing on the web because it promotes loyalty and repeat custom. That was the conclusion of a debate between a group of leading online retailers, organised by a leading internet hosting
Philip Clarke has announced the make up of his executive committee to take effect on 1 March 2011 when he succeeds Sir Terry Leahy as group chief executive of Tesco. “I am delighted that I have been able to bring
Leading brewer Carlsberg has agreed a five-year contract with management consultancy Accenture to provide application services for its European operations. Under the agreement, Accenture will support a range of application services in a co-sourcing agreement managed by Carlsberg. It will
Butcher’s Pet Care (BPC), a leading UK family owned pet food business, has opened a new manufacturing and distribution facility in the Midlands, which incorporates sustainable design features. The site has been developed in partnership with Gazeley, a global provider
Richard Gillies, director of Plan A at Marks & Spencer, the retailer’s programme for developing a sustainable business, is one of the headline speakers at the Lean & Green Conference, being held in London on 3 March 2011. The event
Cherrygood, one of the UK’s fastest growing juice drink companies, has secured a £600,000 investment from Clydesdale Bank in a bid to become a £100m brand in 10 years. The company plans to build on its first year turnover
Leading global insurer RSA is warning UK retailers to check the limits on their business insurance cover as they stock up for the Christmas trading period. The warning comes as stores get set to capitailse on the busiest time of
Sainsbury’s has improved availability at its 335-strong chain of convenience stores by 2.2% and reduced wastage to an all-time low, according to Simon Stokoe, senior supply chain manager, Sainsbury’s convenience. Speaking at the IGD Supply Chain Summit 2010, Stokoe told
Cash & Carry is the top performer in the UK wholesale market, according to a new report from the IGD. Its Grocery and Foodservice Wholesaling 2010 study reveals cash and carry operators grew sales by 6.1% to £10.3bn in 2009
Morrisons’ chief executive Dalton Philips focused on the retailer’s vertical integration as a point of difference at the 2010 IGD Convention. “We do fresh differently,” he said. Dalton said 28,000 people work on its Market Street concept and, unlike rivals,
Debbie and Andrew Keeble told their journey from pig farmers to producing the UK’s top-selling premium sausages at the 2010 IGD Convention. Pig farmers in South Yorkshire for 20 years, Debbie and Andrew set up their sausage company in 1999.
Roger Burnley, Sainsbury’s retail & logistics director, revealed the retailer’s latest environmental initiatives at the 2010 IGD Convention. They included packaging developments; logistical savings; a reduction in food waste; energy efficiencies at store level; plus Make the Difference Days, where
Morrisons’ plan to launch an online channel is a logical next step, according to Kantar Worldpanel. The market research company expects Morrisons to poach business from shoppers who currently go elsewhere to buy groceries online. Fraser McKevitt, retail analyst at
Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s number one domestic carrier, has launched a £500,000 business travel campaign today. At the same time, Flybe is launching a new route between Edinburgh and Paris Charles de Gaulle plus increased frequencies
Specialist SAP consultant De Villiers Walton has launched a programme for enhancing SAP Business Intelligence (BI) solutions following customer feedback, which revealed CFOs and senior managers are suffering from a lack of data quality. De Villiers Walton found many businesses
Grocers were among the strongest performers in August, according to the latest CBI quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. Clothing, durable household goods, footwear and leather, and hardware and DIY also did well; boosted by better weather at the beginning of August,
Otley Brewery, the South Wales-based, family-run brewery, marked its fifth year in business on 14 August 2010 with an event at its premises in Cilfynydd. More than 100 people, including regular customers, key suppliers, beer writers and press, attended the
Group pre-tax profits at the flower and gardening home shopping group, Flying Brands, fell from £2.74m to £480,000 in the six months to 2 July as it exits non-core markets. Flying Brands is selling its online collectables business, Benham, and
Toy and gift company Jellycat has implemented a SAP application to keep track of stock and improve customer service. The company, which supplies soft toys to retailers all over the world, including some of the top high street names, has
