With the UK now experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, it’s becoming increasingly clear that hot weather isn’t just influencing consumer spending – it’s reshaping how online retailers need to plan, stock and fulfil orders. Traditionally, warmer weather has always driven a surge in retail spending, as consumers rush to purchase everything from summer clothing and garden furniture to barbecue supplies, paddling pools and cooling equipment. In June, warmer weather contributed to a 6.1% monthly increase in non-store retail sales, demonstrating just how quickly consumer behaviour can shift when temperatures rise, even during periods of economic uncertainty. According to…

Business leaders have welcomed the government’s decision to cut business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues, but many say the measure should mark the beginning, rather than the end, of wider support for UK businesses. The announcement forms part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s early cost-of-living package and is intended to ease financial pressures on parts of the hospitality sector. While businesses agree the reduction will provide much-needed relief, there is growing consensus that many other sectors facing similar challenges should not be overlooked. Craig Morgan, Insurance Expert at SJL Insurance Services, believes the announcement sends…

The government’s decision to place artificial intelligence at the centre of its industrial strategy has been broadly welcomed by business leaders, although many are warning that the real challenge will be delivering practical support rather than simply reshuffling departments. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has seen its responsibilities divided between Jonathan Reynolds’ new Business, Innovation, Science and Trade department and an expanded Culture portfolio under Lisa Nandy. At the same time, Kanishka Narayan has become the UK’s first AI Minister to sit at Cabinet level. The move has been viewed…

By Adam Haines, Employment & Business Immigration Partner at Aaron & Partners Much attention has been paid to the recruitment challenges facing UK businesses, particularly in sectors such as care, manufacturing, engineering and construction, but less attention has been given to the increasingly complex immigration rules governing overseas workers. Since the UK left the EU, businesses have had to navigate a very different immigration landscape. As a result, many SMEs have been turning to overseas contractors and suppliers to fill skills gaps and support projects. However, a growing number may be unintentionally falling foul of immigration rules, exposing themselves to…

Employers hiring workers in Europe are being warned that failing to disclose salary information puts them at a competitive disadvantage and a growing compliance risk, as EU Member States begin implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the UK government consults on similar reforms of its own. The timely warning from Agility EOR follows research showing that 80 percent of jobseekers would avoid applying for roles that do not disclose salary details, underlining the growing expectation for pay transparency. The study also found that only 42 percent of HR job advertisements currently include salary information, suggesting many employers continue to…

Compliance expert shares his top tips for evaluating AI governance and vendor accountability Many UK mid-market organisations are adopting AI faster than they are building the governance to support it safely. Research of mid-market finance functions, where data accuracy is non-negotiable, offers a clear example of the risk: a survey of 250 UK finance decision-makers commissioned by cloud accounting provider iplicit found that 83% of finance teams are already using AI, but only 53% have a formal framework in place for its safe and compliant use. There is now an international standard designed to close that gap, and it applies well beyond…

Flexible workspace provider, Clockwise, is expanding its offering for start-up and scale up businesses across the UK following a significant rise in demand for flexible office space from regional SMEs. Across its portfolio, Clockwise is responding to growing demand from regional SMEs for flexible, scalable workspace by increasing the availability and variety of its office offering. In Glasgow and Liverpool, existing space is being reconfigured to better reflect changing occupier requirements, while Exeter has recently opened a new phase of workspace to meet strong local demand. Together, these investments will enable more businesses to find workspace that suits their current…

By Paul Timms, Director at IT System Integrators Ltd Choosing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is one of the most significant and most expensive decisions a business will make. Get it right, and you have a platform that supports growth for at least a decade. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at cost overruns, frustrated teams, and the very real possibility of starting the whole process again. The stakes are high, which means the selection process deserves far more rigour than it typically gets. An ERP system should efficiently connect the moving parts of your business including finance, operations,…

Neuroinclusion is becoming a growing priority for employers, with two in five (40%) neuroinclusive businesses reporting better retention when inclusive support is embedded into the workplace.  To help businesses build more inclusive workplaces, assistive technology experts, Everway, have shared new advice exploring why neuroinclusion matters and the practical steps HR leaders can take to create environments where everyone can thrive. Neuroinclusion is not only about supporting employees. When workplaces are designed to work for a wider range of thinking styles, organisations can improve how they attract, retain and engage talent. HR leaders can start by putting neuroinclusion into practice through: 1.…

Slough’s first Robotics Adoption Forum brought businesses face-to-face with George the humanoid robot and challenged more local firms to explore what robotics could do for them. What could a robot do for your business and, with the technology becoming more accessible, why aren’t more companies finding out? That was the question at Slough’s first Robotics Adoption Forum, hosted by Plus X Innovation in collaboration with Extend Robotics on 14 July. The event brought industry leaders, technology experts and growing businesses together with George the humanoid robot for a practical look at how robotics can improve productivity, help address skills shortages…