Understanding your audience is crucial for small businesses. Customers today have numerous choices available. Around two-thirds of shoppers often find it difficult to decide where to buy. For Gen Z, this figure rises to 80%. Many small businesses, like operating the safest non UK casinos, struggle to attract new customers because their offerings often seem … Read more
From rooftop gardens to meditation circles, Shaulene Wright has made it her life’s work to nurture growth — in both plants and people. Based in Brooklyn, NY, she brings together the quiet discipline of Buddhism and the vibrant energy of urban gardening. We sat down with Shaulene to discuss her journey, her daily practice, and … Read more
Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, has been appointed as the new Chair of UK Steel, the trade association representing Britain’s steel sector. He will take on the position alongside his current role leading Tata Steel’s UK operations. Nair brings more than 36 years of experience across the Tata Steel Group to the … Read more
HMRC has admitted for the first time that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor taxpayers’ social media accounts as part of criminal investigations into tax fraud. The tax authority said AI tools are used alongside the department’s traditional checks to analyse online posts, including those about expensive holidays or large purchases, if they appear … Read more
The government must act urgently to close the widening pensions gap between employees and self-employed workers or risk fuelling a future retirement crisis, the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned. In a new report commissioned by digital bank Monzo, the think tank said the self-employed are “at most risk” of inadequate retirement provision and should … Read more
The UK labour market showed further signs of cooling in the three months to June, with wage growth slowing, vacancies falling and payroll numbers declining, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, rose 4.6% in Q2, down from 5% in the previous three-month period and … Read more
Virgin Media O2 has launched a £1 million talent fund to help charities, local authorities, small businesses and social enterprises train apprentices in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), aiming to break down the financial and structural barriers that prevent smaller organisations from investing in early careers talent. The scheme will allow eligible organisations to … Read more
Immersive dining brand Six by Nico has launched ‘Six by You’, a new community-first crowdfunding initiative giving loyal customers the chance to become co-owners of the business. The scheme, now live on Crowdcube, follows an early access phase in which more than 3,800 community members invested over £1.75 million in just five days. From today, … Read more
The government should introduce an apprenticeship guarantee for all 16 to 24-year-olds to help young people into work as the UK labour market continues to cool, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Responding to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) labour market data, James Cockett, senior labour market economist at … Read more
UK consumer spending rebounded in July as the “lipstick effect” and major entertainment events, including the Oasis reunion tour, encouraged shoppers to splash out on affordable luxuries, according to Barclays. The bank, which tracks 40% of UK card transactions, reported that sales increased 1.4% year-on-year last month, recovering from a 0.1% decline in June. The … Read more