Author: Sam Allcock

Retailers should expand their reach to international customers this Black Friday, according to delivery management experts, nShift. With over half of shoppers seeking products from abroad, global shipping could hold the key to success during the crucial sales period. nShift, a leader in delivery and experience management, has published a new report emphasising the importance of selling and shipping to international markets. The report reveals that 52% of shoppers actively look for products sold outside their home countries, while 64% of consumers are expected to shop online on Black Friday, which falls on 29 November this year. These figures indicate…

INTELLITHING has launched a no-code platform aimed at revolutionising AI and machine learning (ML) development for businesses. The platform, designed to democratise AI and generative AI creation, allows companies to develop, integrate, and deploy AI applications without any technical expertise. The move is set to break down the barriers that have long prevented businesses from fully embracing AI technology. Traditionally, AI development has been complex, expensive, and required specialist knowledge, making it accessible only to large companies with extensive resources. However, INTELLITHING’s new platform changes this by offering a drag-and-drop interface that can build AI solutions in minutes, reducing costs…

The UK is set to experience a major exodus of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) this year, with an estimated 9,500 millionaires expected to leave the country by the end of December. Most of these HNWIs are heading for Europe, with the European Union anticipated to gain around 6,500 of Britain’s wealthy emigrants. Other popular destinations include the United Arab Emirates, which is forecast to welcome 800 HNWIs, followed by the US, Australasia, and the Caribbean. This wealth migration trend, dubbed “WEXIT,” has been detailed in the latest forecast by Henley & Partners, an international advisory firm, and New World Wealth, ahead…

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the UK has placed increased pressure on individuals, leaving many struggling to balance everyday responsibilities with the need for mental health care and personal wellness. In this challenging financial climate, platforms like Wecasa, an at-home mobile services app, have become essential in helping people carve out time for themselves. By offering wellness, cleaning, beauty, and home services that fit around busy schedules, Wecasa is meeting the growing demand for flexible, at-home solutions. Looking ahead, Wecasa predicts significant growth in the UK’s remote wellness industry by 2025. With consumers increasingly prioritising personalised wellness services delivered directly…

Swiss luxury skincare and wellness brand NIANCE has launched its first-ever white paper, titled “Addressing the 12 Hallmarks of Aging,” which delves into the complex science of ageing and outlines how the company’s innovative products combat biological processes associated with getting older. The white paper introduces the updated ‘Hallmarks of Aging’ framework, first proposed in 2013 by leading researchers Carlos López-Otín, Maria A. Blasco, Linda Partridge, Manuel Serrano, and Guido Kroemer. Initially identifying nine key biological mechanisms driving the ageing process, the framework was expanded in January 2023 by the journal Cell, adding three new hallmarks: dysbiosis, chronic inflammation, and…

UK organisations are set to embrace generative AI (GenAI) over the next 12 to 18 months as part of their wider workplace transformation efforts, according to new research published by Information Services Group (ISG), a global technology advisory firm. The findings suggest that both enterprises and public sector bodies are increasingly seeking assistance from technology providers to develop AI applications that enhance productivity and improve employee experiences. The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Future of Work – Services report highlights that organisations are exploring GenAI use cases, conducting pilot programmes, developing large language models, and establishing governance frameworks in preparation for…

A recent survey has revealed that 37% of 18 to 24-year-old office workers in the UK struggle to forge friendships in the workplace, highlighting a shift in social dynamics influenced by remote working. Conducted by Colony, a flexible workspace and co-working operator based in Manchester, the study surveyed 2,000 UK office employees to explore how remote work affects social interactions. The findings show that younger Generation Z workers face the greatest challenges in making friends at work. This demographic reported difficulties more frequently than their older counterparts, with 36.3% of 25-34-year-olds and 35.7% of 35-44-year-olds also expressing similar sentiments. The survey…

Roberlo UK, a leading specialist in coatings and repair solutions for the refinish aftermarket and industrial sectors, has announced the opening of a new facility in Leeds. The company has signed a 10-year lease for a 6,004 sq ft industrial unit at Unit 3C of Airedale Industrial Estate in Hunslet, marking a significant expansion of its operations in the north of England. The new site is strategically located just off Hunslet Road (A61) and the Hunslet Distributor Road, approximately 1.5 miles from Leeds city centre and close to junctions three and four of the M621 motorway. This prime location is…

Morgan Sindall Construction has officially handed over a newly developed wheeled sports area to Brighton & Hove City Council, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Hove Beach Park project. Located adjacent to Hove Lagoon, the new facility is designed to cater to the community’s diverse sporting needs and is set to feature a range of dedicated sports spaces, including a 600-square-metre roller area, a new skate park, and a 150-metre-long BMX pump track. The initiative aims to create an inclusive environment for users of all ages and abilities, whether they enjoy rollerblading, skating, or skateboarding. The new Hove Beach…

Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan has urged the UK government to strengthen its ties with Taiwan, particularly in light of China’s recent military exercises in the region. Speaking in the House of Lords today, Lord Rogan emphasised the need for closer cooperation, including potential visits from senior government ministers, as tensions escalate between Taiwan and China. The call for enhanced relations comes on the heels of a series of air and sea military drills conducted by China near Taiwan, coinciding with a planned trip to Beijing by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Lord Rogan expressed his concern, stating, “The Chinese…

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of the Premier Inn brand, has started construction on its latest hotel project in Manchester. The new 10-storey, 229-bedroom Premier Inn is being built on Rochdale Road, just north of Manchester city centre, in the iconic Northern Quarter. The construction will be led by GMI Construction Group, which was appointed as the principal contractor in July 2024. The Rochdale Road hotel is just one of several strategic investments Whitbread has made in Manchester this year. In September 2024, the company announced plans to build the largest Premier Inn in the north…

Manchester-based software company Open ECX has announced a series of new appointments as it expands into a range of sectors, following significant business wins across industries including hospitality, food and beverage, healthcare, and construction. The company, which specialises in cloud-based software that automates business transactions, is experiencing increased demand for its order-to-cash and procure-to-pay technology, prompting a raft of new roles within its commercial and operations teams. Open ECX’s recent expansion includes securing contracts with high-profile clients and forging strategic partnerships with industry leaders. To support its growing operations, the company has appointed Joseph Smith, Rachel Kirby, and Lucy Murphy…