Darren Briggs

⭐️ NEW TO MARKET – Mail Order Fish Merchant, Mallaig🐟🦞🐠 Andy Race Fish Merchants Ltd are producers of the highest quality smoked salmon, kippers and seafood, since 1980. Based in the port of Mallaig in the Highlands of Scotland, the business has an outstanding reputation and is nationally renowned for producing the very best Scottish peat smoked salmon, Mallaig kippers and a variety of high quality smoked fish and shellfish. This smoking process uses traditional methods and the Company was one of the very first smokehouses to work successfully without resort to using dyes. Fish is available to its large and very loyal client base across the country by mail order, beautifully packed to keep it fresh.  The business has a great many excellent reviews, with many reviewers believing the product to be the best in the UK. This results in an excellent rate of repeat business. There is estimated to be c3000 regular customers on the booking system. The business would be ideal for someone who has experience in digital marketing and ecommerce, this business really has unlimited growth potential. The business currently trades from a freehold premises which may be available to the right candidate on a new long term lease. The business is relocatable.  Orders are generated primarily through mail order, however there are also orders that come through the phoneline and also a small amount of walk in to the retail factory shop. Before specialising in mail order, the business initially grew from wholesaling to hotels and restaurants etc. After Covid and the closure of all hospitality venues, a decision was made to shrink and to concentrate on the mail order side of the business. The wholesale side of the business could be an area to expand once more if so desired. At its peak this part of the business had a turnover of about £1.25 million.  Turnover £450000  Mail order element £250,000 "Rick Stein's fantasy hamper for sharing with guests on Christmas Day: The day starts with Andy Race's salmon, dry-salted, then smoked over peat and oak for three days..."Rick Stein  The Independent Magazine Full details are available through [email protected] or on 01463 830391

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Losses Reduced At Booths After Year Of Robust Sales Growth Upmarket northern grocer Booths has delivered improved annual results after recovering from the impact of high inflation and the cost of living crisis. Newly filed accounts in Companies House covering the 12 months to 30 March 2024 show the retailer’s overall sales increased by 6.7% to £381.7m. Booths noted that it had benefitted from increased football, higher basket spend due to price inflation, and an additional Easter period when compared to the previous financial year. The group did not reveal like-for-like figures but said they increased. Having slipped into the red in 2023 due to higher costs and weaker sales, Booths’ pre-tax losses eased from £4.0m to £1.6m in the latest period. Meanwhile, EBITDA increased by £0.9m to £8.6m. The group revealed that it was continuing to utilise funds built up during the pandemic to make improvements to its operating systems and refurbish its stores. The first phase of an overhaul of its base sales, stock and systems infrastructure is expected to be completed by March 2025. Meanwhile, Booths noted that its customer experience score had increased after taking actions such as improving its café offer, enhancing value through loyalty card, and removing nearly all its self-scanning checkouts. A board statement in the accounts said: “The financial year continued to see the challenges of high inflationary pressures, high interest rates and cost-of-living challenges experienced by all, albeit at reduced levels compared to financial year 2022/23. “Against this background, we are pleased to report results above those planned at the beginning of the financial year, thus providing a continued sustainable platform for future growth. This was again achieved by staying true to our purpose through which we aim to inspire and nourish our customers’ desires for delicious food and drink.” After offloading its loss-making Hale Barns store to Asda in April, Booths now trades from 26 stores across Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, and Cheshire. The board concluded: “We have taken a prudent approach to delivering sustainable growth in 2023/24 and will continue to keep a weather eye on the trading background while introducing new and better ways of operating.” NamNews Implications: * Good to see constructive changes at Booths paying off. * However, in the interest of greater clarity… * …making it easier for suppliers to help… * …it would to have the inflationary element stripped out of the sales figure * i.e. volume sales… * …and also like-for likes reflected. * Finally, some reference to Booths’ experience of brand-to-own-label migration… * …and impact of the discounters… * …would place Booths in the context of other mults from a supplier perspective. #Turnaround

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Stephen Owens, CEO and his team at Christie & Co have recently released their business outlook 2024 report for Pubs and Restaurants.  Key highlights include: - 7.2% like for like sales growth in pubs - 3.4% like for like sales growth in restaurants  - Increased consumer sentiment across the sector -The late-night sector has continued to struggle, with the growth of the late-night bar, changing social trends and disproportionate impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the student and younger demographic contributing to this. Entertainment-led venues are faring better - Consumer habits have shifted with regards to food, drinking and dining out times – a continuation of last year. This is a really good reference document for the UK sector, so for more in-depth analysis please click on the link below – Enjoy https://lnkd.in/eMXjwHxh #restaurants #pubs #insights

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Very enjoyable evening spent with the Premier League of sellers and the B&Q Marketplace Team at the Trading House bar and restaurant on Gresham Street, London. Positioned as a ‘B&Q Seller Celebration and evening of Festive Networking and 2025 Opportunities’ it truly delivered on its name. You know I speak with many suppliers, brands, sellers and retailers and the conversations always fall into two very clear camps. Camp 1 - Times are very tough, not getting any easier and there are few signs of growth. We’re having to cut costs and pull back on investment. Camp 2 - The Market’s tough, but we’re growing double digit year on year and investing in our range and service. And the difference between the two? The companies in Camp 2, sell on marketplaces and dropship with customers like Screwfix, Toolstation, wilko, Robert Dyas and very shortly Homebase through the Virtualstock platform and Camp 1 companies don’t. It really is that simple. #retail #ecommerce #marketplace #commerce

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Refinancing Pushes Asda’s Debt Into The Next Decade Asda has refinanced its multi-billion-pound debt pile as its owners seek to put the supermarket’s finances on a firmer footing amid work to win back shoppers after a period of weak performance. The refinancing, which was completed yesterday, included the biggest Sterling high-yield bond this year and the second-largest sterling bond in the European leveraged finance market – only behind Asda’s original £2.25bn Sterling bond tranche in 2021. The retailer noted that the refinancing had pushed out the majority of its maturities into the next decade, although at higher interest rates compared to when it was acquired by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital. Asda credited “strong investor demand” in helping it raise £1.75bn of senior secured notes and upsize by more than £200m on a £900m Equivalent EUR Term Loan B (TLB), bringing the final size to £1.1bn. The maturities of the new senior secured notes and TLB are 2030 and 2031, respectively. As part of the £3.2bn refinancing, Asda used £300m of balance sheet cash to reduce gross debt. Asda also extended the maturity of its revolving credit facility (RCF) from August 2025 to October 2028 and was able to upsize the facility from £667m to £748m in connection with the wider refinancing. The move comes days after credit agency Moody’s upgraded the supermarket’s corporate rating from B2 to B1, noting its “solid” financial performance last year, particularly the reduction in leverage and growth in underlying free cashflow. Asda’s annual 2023 results show its adjusted EBITDA after rent rose 24% to £1.08bn, with like-for-like sales increasing 5.4%. However, market analysts have raised concerns about Asda’s weakening sales performance this year and the impact of debt interest payments on its finances. Kantar last month: Asda continue struggle vs main rivals, mkt share down from 14.0% to 13.4% after 0.4% sales fall in 12 weeks to 14 April. Commenting on the refinancing, Asda’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael Gleeson said: “We saw strong demand from investors after taking a thoughtful and prudent approach to refinancing our near-term debt well ahead of maturities – to further strengthen our balance sheet. “The refinancing also reflects the wider strength of Asda as a diversified retail group with a strong grocery business at its core supported by a fantastic non-food offering in George and following recent investments, a major presence in the high-growth convenience and foodservice markets.” NamNews Implications: * Suppliers will no doubt reflect their Risk profiles in adjusting their Asda trade strategies… * i.e. depending upon whether a supplier regards itself as Risk Seeking, Risk Neutral or Risk Avoiding… * …so they will adjust their investment in Asda up or down… * …and not all suppliers will be the same. * So anticipate some changes in relative share of Asda business by supplier over the years ahead. #Risk #Exposure

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Do Clients Prefer Red Wine or White Wine in Their Gift Hampers? 55% opt for White Wine 45% go for Red Wine It seems like white wine has the edge, but there's still plenty of love for red! Red wine has long been associated with sophistication, allure, and a certain level of prestige, so I was surprised to see more white wine orders. See all our luxury WINE hampers here https://lnkd.in/eSJmPk5a Order online, or if you need 20+ hampers, we can send you an Excel document where you can easily input all your client details – and we’ll take care of the rest! #corporategifting #gifthampers #christmasgifts #winegifting #clientgifts

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Kingfisher plc has today published their Q1 Trading Results for the period ending 30 April 2024. Key points - Q1 sales of £3.3bn; total sales +0.3% (constant currency) and -0.3% (reported) - LFL -0.9% including a +1.9% calendar impact (of which +1.1% relates to the leap year)(1) Thierry Garnier, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Trading in the first quarter has been in line with our expectations. We have seen continued resilience in our core categories, although ‘big-ticket’ sales have been weak reflecting the broader market as expected. In the UK, we have gained considerable share across our banners. Our trade proposition continues to resonate with customers, driving positive LFL sales at Screwfix and strong LFL sales growth of 8.5% at TradePoint. In France, while slightly improved on Q4, trading reflects the weak overall retail market. And in Poland, we are seeing encouraging sales trends as the consumer environment improves. More on Insight DIY here - https://lnkd.in/e2bBBeCi #retail #retailnews #homeimprovement #trading

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Why is Carlsberg chasing UK soft-drinks maker Britvic? Whilst we understand the urge to diversify (both category wise & geography wise), this move is not straightforward for many financial analysts considering: - the potential synergies (GTM scale to improve Carlsberg Group distant challenger position in UK & overall accessing a total beverage platform in UK), - the growth profile of Britvic plc over the recent years, - the difficulty to scale this asset internationally - the price tag (esp. considering Carlsberg EV & current debt ratio) Carlsberg stock price lost 8% since the announcement This deal is a testimony of the increasing appetite of the world largest FMCG companies to invest into mid-size M&A deals ($0.5-5bn) with the objective to increase their growth footprint. More will come Time will tell if this transaction ends up being a success Exciting times for M&A in the FMCG industry To read our latest publication on M&A in the FMCG industry: https://lnkd.in/dinWEqDn 𝗧𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 & 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://lnkd.in/ea4gy65y #fmcg #cpg The Coca-Cola Company PepsiCo Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. The HEINEKEN Company AB InBev Diageo Pernod Ricard William Grant & Sons Campari Group https://lnkd.in/dzTWJVva

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📢 Allsop lights up the market with a £50m Fireworks Night Commercial Auction We were pleased with the results of our first post budget commercial auction today. Overall it was positive and better than anticipated, but it did feel more ‘carry on as you were’ as opposed to there being a marked improvement. In other words, it remains a challenging market in which pricing is key. Thanks to the skill and judgement of our market leading team 60 commercial lots were sold today totalling £50m and reflecting a success rate of 77%. The result is broadly in line with last year and our third highest on the day total of the past 12 months. Moreover, with numerous sales having since been agreed we are confident it will improve quickly. It puts our YTD totals ahead of last year with £410m raised (£365m in 2023) and 521 lots sold (567 in 2023), reflecting an overall success rate of 88% (86% in 2023) with 118 lots (103 in 2023) achieving £1m or more. The largest lot was Lot 16 in Holborn which sold prior for in excess of £5,500,000 (7%). An office building totalling 12,439 sqft, let at £413,250 pa until 2025.  Shown below. As always, there were numerous rockets 🚀 and sparklers 🎆 including… 💥 The average lot size was £833,000 💥 16 lots sold for in excess of £1 million 💥 16 lots achieved 10% or more above their reserves 💥 70% of lots sold under the hammer saw competitive bidding 💥 60% of lots sold were located outside of London and the South East 💥 The retail sector accounted for 57% of the number of lots sold and 44% by value. 💥 Six properties let to Heron Foods Ltd on new 20 yr leases with CPI linked increases. Sold totalling £3,548,500 (av. 8.4%). 💥 Lot 15 – Barnsley. Let to Farmfoods Ltd on a new 20 year at £120,000 pa. Sold for £1.75m (6.5%) 💥 Lot 18 – Windsor. Let to Franco Manca with three flats above. Sold for £2.2m (6.7%) 💥 Lot 33 – Sittingbourne. A shopping centre with tenants inc Specsavers & Costa. Sold for £2,190,000 (21%). 💥 Lot 34 - Burton-on-Trent. An industrial estate comprising 4 units and part let to Howdens Joinery. Total rents £167,446 pa. Sold for £2,710,000 (5.8%) 💥 Lot 38 – Ebbw Vale. A warehouse let to DHL until 2028. Sold for £2,190,000 (9.3%)   Our buyers survey revealed that demand continues to be driven by experienced cash buyers, with 69% saying they had bought at auction before (65% in Sept), 75% saying they were not intending to use finance (100% in Sept) and 88% of buyers saying they would like to buy again (82% in Sept). If you would like to know more about today’s sale or are contemplating selling and would like our thoughts on what could be achieved we would be delighted to hear from you. Our last Commercial Auction of 2024 will be held on 11th December. Please follow @allsopcommercial on Instagram to keep up to date with our latest news. #Allsop #commercialrealestate #commercialpropertyinvestment #propertyauctions #retailsector #teamonfire

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Speaking to many brands and suppliers across the Home and Garden Industry, I can see there’s clearly a lack of understanding when it comes to the terms drop- shipping on behalf of a retailer brand and selling on marketplaces. After attending the Virtualstock Summit earlier this month, Chris Dawson editor at ChannelX, took the time to brilliantly articulate the key differences between these two important areas and the pro’s and con’s of each. The key message from me is that these two areas should form a fundamental part of your business growth strategy. If you’re still sitting on the fence and wondering if selling on marketplaces or drop shipping your brand to consumers is right for you, then read on. Read it here - https://lnkd.in/eMNRWpsV #dropshipping #digital #ecommerce #marketplace

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Good fun to be quoted in this article on the recent Sainsbury's Meal Deal price rise. Our view, based on the Uncrowd empirical objective observed data and with various customer scenarios modelled over it; is that Sainos have earnt the right to make this change given the great work they've done elsewhere on reducing prices via the Nectar card. Matching and sometimes exceeding Tesco clubcard in deals, offers, and communication and clarity in store, has been a big performance upgrade at Sainsbury's. #retail #experienceanalytics #eggandcress

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** FREE ** Webinar How to Sell to Supermarkets: a Buyer <> Seller Q&A ... ▶️ Our next Lunch & Learn webinar when we will answer YOUR questions is on Thursday 14th November at 12pm (UK time). So if you want to grow your Brand & have a question for us, or would just like to join for a lunchtime listen please sign up at the link below:- https://lnkd.in/eDHAmFmF And in the meantime, here is my answer to one of those we weren't able to get to last time... 🛡️ How Do You Protect Your Brand from Frequent Buyer Changes, or periods when there is no Buyer? 🛡️ Buyer turnover can be a challenge for any Brand, leading to loss of established relationships you've spent months, if not years building, as well as potential shifts in strategy. Here's how to protect your Brand & keep momentum strong: 🤝 1. Build Relationships Beyond the Buyer Cultivate connections with multiple stakeholders in the retailer organization (Category managers, Planners, Buying assistants, Supply chain, Marketing teams, etc). ↳ helps to maintain continuity during transitions & can find other champions of your Brand 🔄 2. Be Proactive During Vacancies When there’s a gap, stay engaged with temporary caretakers. Offer *additional support* (eg picking up extra jobs to support or questions to answer) & maintain maximum visibility. ↳ helps to keep your Brand top of mind when the new Buyer does arrive 📝 3. Document Key Wins & Strategies Keep a detailed record of performance data, category wins & past agreements. ↳  makes it easier to onboard new buyers quickly & continue driving the same strategy 💡 4. Educate New Buyers Quickly As soon as a new Buyer steps in, give the handover yourself: summarise live issues & present a *clear story* articulating the £££ opportunity on your Brand. ↳ strong first impressions can prevent a "reset" & keep momentum going ✅ & finally 5. Get Stuff Done when you DO have a Buyer Focus on building momentum ALL the time: bring ready to action solutions which just take the Buyer to say *YES* ... so you can take care of the rest. Anything that requires additional work or further discussion/negotiation Retailer-side joins a long to do list of other things to do, some of which unfortunately may never get done. ** Summary ** Buyer turnover is inevitable, but with a proactive strategy your Brand can remain resilient & even GROW whilst others wait around for the new Buyer to (eventually) pick up the phone. 🚀 About us:- I worked as a Buyer at Sainsbury's & Tesco for over 10 years, before going on to specialise for the next 10 in Insight, Category Management & Growth Strategy. I will be joined on the webinar by Paul James Harvey who has almost 30 years experience working in Sales, unlocking new distribution & driving growth for a range of leading UK drinks brands before moving on to enjoy similar success in a number of other sectors. #CategoryManagement #Sales #FMCG #CPG #RetailStrategy #BrandResilience #BuyerTurnover #Webinar

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Our Commercial Competency framework is future-focussed, a future where Commercial Confidence is accessible for everyone!

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What happened in retail this week? 👇 - Asda pushed its debt burdens into the next decade after refinancing more than £3.2bn of debt. - Lidl GB announced £500m investment in the British pork industry as part of its commitment to sourcing from British producers. - Morrisons completed the £2.5bn MFG petrol forecourts sale. - Sainsbury's underlying pre-tax profits for the financial year were up 1.6% to £701m ahead of company expectations and grocery sales soared 9.4% over the period. - Aldi UK revealed that between 8am-9am and 7pm-10pm are the quietest times for customers to pick up their shopping ahead of the bank holiday. - Pets at Home opened two more stores on London high streets as it branches out from its typical retail park sites. - Co-op furthered its 100% free-range offer by introducing a white egg range to 2,400 stores. - Aldi UK launched a nationwide initiative to pinpoint prime locations for new store openings and has asked Brits to identify which areas across the UK need a new Aldi store, with suggestions to be submitted by 31 May. - Farmfoods is targetting 20-30 new stores as annual turnover passes £1bn. — — — — — — — I post the biggest stories from the UK’s biggest retailers each week. Connect with me to never miss a weekly update. #Retail #News #May 

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Brilliant concept! Check out the interview with the CEO👇👇👇 #knoops #amazingconcept #greatbusiness #top

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The UK’s New Budget: Tough on Smokers & Vapers, Favorable for Nicotine Pouch Users The UK’s recent budget reveals some clear winners and losers in the tobacco and nicotine landscape. What’s Changed? 1. Higher Taxes for Smokers 🚬 Cigarette prices are set to rise as new excise duties increase costs for traditional smokers. This move aligns with public health goals but significantly impacts those who still choose to smoke, making cigarettes even less affordable. 2. Tougher Measures for Vapers 💨 Vaping products are also facing new restrictions and potential cost hikes, signaling a shift in the government’s view on e-cigarettes. Vapers who turned to this option for a ‘safer’ alternative now face higher prices and additional regulations, creating barriers to access. 3. Nicotine Pouches Get a Boost 💊 In contrast, the budget has left nicotine pouches relatively untouched. These products are now becoming the most cost-effective nicotine option, as they’re unaffected by the recent tax hikes. This could mark a turning point for those looking to quit smoking or vaping but still want access to nicotine. What’s the Impact? For the first time, nicotine pouches might become a preferred choice for consumers looking for a legal, less-expensive way to consume nicotine. While the budget supports public health efforts by making smoking and vaping more costly, it inadvertently shifts the spotlight onto nicotine pouches as an affordable alternative. What are your thoughts? #UKBudget #NicotinePolicy #TobaccoControl #PublicHealth #Smoking #Vaping #NicotinePouches #TaxPolicy

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