2019 was the year that sustainability became the biggest item on the agenda for consumer-facing businesses. Thanks to the rising influence of climate activists, the environment’s presence in the political sphere and a growing customer desire to make...
2019 was the year that sustainability became the biggest item on the agenda for consumer-facing businesses. Thanks to the rising influence of climate activists, the environment’s presence in the political sphere and a growing customer desire to make...
On a seasonally cold winter’s evening, nearly 150 Chairmen, CEOs, NEDs and HRDs from across the food and grocery sector came together at the IoD to hear the findings of our recent report: Diversity in Food and Grocery. The evening was spent exploring...
On a cold and crisp day last Sunday, I experienced London at its best. My first port of call was the Royal Academy to see two world-renowned British artists: Antony Gormley followed by Lucian Freud. Both exhibitions were teeming with people all engaged...
It’s been a quarter of a century since the phrase ‘got milk?’ entered the zeitgeist. I grew up with ‘Accrington Stanley, Who Are They?’, and others at MBS have boasted similarly nostalgic memories of iconic milk advertising. The...
Perhaps it’s the clocks going back this weekend that makes me want to turn my attention to my home, South Africa. Or it might be the arrival of Naspers in our papers this week, the South African firm whose $5bn hostile bid for Just Eat has made quite a...
I have just returned from visiting our clients in Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealanders were still reeling from their loss against England in the Rugby semi-finals – so it was very easy to move the conversation swiftly on to retail, brands and...
The MBS Group is proud to have been championing diversity for over thirty years – so it was a real privilege to partner with the IGD and PwC to produce a first-of-its-kind report, giving an honest appraisal of the status of diversity and inclusion...
The MBS Group has been championing diversity in our sectors for over thirty years, so we were delighted to be asked to join forces with the WiH2020 initiative and PwC on the latest report on diversity in the Hospitality, Travel & Leisure (HTL)...
Dobbie’s sales soar 44% The garden centre business has posted a 44% sales upturn for the festive period, recording double-digit sales growth across all key categories including Christmas trees and decorations. Read more on Retail Gazette
Sainsbury’s trials SimplyFresh supply deal The grocer is trialing a collaboration with the independent convenience store operator SimplyFresh, which will see Sainsbury's provide around 2,000 own-label and branded products to the SimplyFresh Old Oak Lane store in North London. Read more on The Grocer
Sales of meat-free foods in the UK to surpass £1.1bn by 2024 According to new figures from Mintel, almost a quarter of all new UK food product launches were vegan in 2019, up 17% from the year before. Read more on FoodBev
Müller eyes return to profitability after cost-cutting success Müller Milk & Ingredients has hailed a far-reaching cost-cutting drive, and said it expects to be back in the black by next year. The brand has cut losses through a series of initiatives including limiting the number of SKUs and closing Foston dairy. Read more on The Grocer
Richemont revenue surges 6% for third quarter The Switzerland-based luxury holding company has reported a 6% spike in revenue to €4.1bn for the period. Richemont owns the Cartier, Chloé and Van Cleef & Arpels brands. Read more on Fashion United
Hermès moves into beauty For the first time in the brand's 183-year history, Hermès has launched a line of beauty products. The lipstick range, named Rouge Hermès, comes in 24 colours inspired by the company's signature silk scarves. Read more on Fashion United
Hyundai and Kia inject $110m into UK startup Arrival The investment makes Arrival, the electric delivery vehicle startup, one of the most valuable in the UK at $3.4bn. Arrival currently employs 800 people across five countries. Read more on TechCrunch
Microsoft makes pledge to become ‘carbon negative’ The tech giant has made a commitment to remove "all the carbon" from the environment that is has emitted since the company was founded in 1975, and in doing so become "carbon negative". Read more on BBC News
CVC Capital Partners acquires yacht operator The private equity firm has purchased the Greek, Croatian and UAE businesses of the yacht marina operator D-Marin. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read more on PE News
UK private equity firm Ethos acquires pet products company Pet Mate, a Surrey-headquartered designer, manufacturer and distributor of pet products, has been bought out by Ethos Partners in a multi-million pound deal. Read more on Real Deals
Vegan dishes up 265% at Greene King The pub company and brewer has reported that sales of vegan dishes were up 265% year-on-year. The company is expecting another sales jump across the category in 2020, and is increasing the number of vegan dishes available across its store estate. Read more on MCA Insight
Mojo Bars operator reports 11% turnover uplift Voodoo Doll, the group behind Mojo Bars, has reported a 10.77% year-on-year rise in revenue for its fourth quarter, which includes the key Christmas trading period. The company - which operates sites in the north of England - is planning further expansion. Read more on Propel Hospitality
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