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Every week Paul sends out an email focusing on a particular business news story that has caught his eye, dissecting it and producing some key learnings that can be digested in just 2 minutes. Why not spend a few minutes looking through the latest newsletters or, even better, sign up below….
How Walmart’s turkeys are gobbling up your wallet - the power of loss-leaders
Ever wondered why turkeys get cheaper right when everyone wants them most? It’s not because retailers are suddenly brimming with holiday cheer. Nope, it’s all part of a clever strategy to get you into their stores. This Thanksgiving, giants like Walmart, Target, and Aldi are practically giving turkeys away at prices as low as 79 cents per pound. It sounds like a win for you, but here’s the twist: they’re not making money on those turkeys at all. In fact, they’re likely losing money. So, what gives?
From Gin in Oil Cans to Coffee in Toothpaste Tubes – The ‘Chaos Packaging’ Trend
Forget subtle branding! Start-ups are leaning into chaos packaging — the art of making your product look like anything but what it actually is. We’re talking tampons in ice cream tubs, gin disguised as motor oil, and sunscreen that looks ready to dollop onto your dessert.
BA’s big blunder - lessons in keeping your customers happy
British Airways (BA) has made a surprising move that’s left some of its business and first-class passengers scratching their heads. In an effort to trim costs, BA has swapped out its traditional lunch for a quirky “Great British Brunch” on long-haul flights departing between 8:30 am and 11:29 am. While brunch is certainly a fun idea, it’s causing quite a stir…..
Pick up some helpful customer tips by checking out the full article.
The Dark Side of Going Viral – What Every Business Owner Must Know
Martha Keith, founder of the stationery brand Martha Brook, faced an unexpected and overwhelming challenge this holiday season: scammers from China created fake listings for her popular advent calendar, leaving her to play detective.
To find out what happened and how you can protect your business, read the full article here.
Is Remote Work Dying? Amazon Thinks So—Here's Why
Amazon has announced a shift back to in-office work for its employees, ending many pandemic-era policies. Starting in January 2025, staff will be required to work on-site five days a week, with exceptions allowed only for special circumstances. The company is also eliminating hot-desking and reducing management layers to streamline decision-making and cut back on unnecessary meetings.
How Tupperware Lost its Edge – And What You Can Do to Keep Yours
Tupperware, famous for its airtight food containers and iconic "Tupperware parties," has filed for bankruptcy after 78 years in business. The company, which thrived in the 1960s and 1970s, struggled to compete with modern rivals offering more affordable, eco-friendly products.
Don’t let this happen to you! Check out the full article here.
What You Should Know About Retail's 'Dark Store' Trend
B&Q, one of Europe's biggest DIY retailers, has embraced the “dark stores” concept by transforming parts of its retail locations into fulfilment hubs to handle online orders. This shift, spurred by the rise in e-commerce during the pandemic, allows B&Q to use its existing stores more efficiently, reducing the need for large, centralised warehouses.
The Toy Industry Slumps—But Lego’s Revenue Soars 13%! Here’s Why
Lego reported a 13% increase in revenue during the first half of 2024, amounting to $4.65 billion, driven by strong performances across its product lines and strategic partnerships, notably with Epic Games’ Fortnite. The company continues to thrive despite a general sales slump in the toy industry, capitalising on its diverse offerings that appeal to both children and adults.
How Qantas Turned a $20,000 Mistake into a PR Opportunity
Qantas, the Australian airline, recently encountered a coding error that resulted in the sale of first-class tickets at an 85% discount. The mistake allowed approximately 300 customers to purchase return flights between Australia and the US at a significantly reduced price, costing only a few thousand Australian dollars compared to the usual $20,000 fee.
Find out how they fixed the problem here - it’s pretty neat…..
Ted Baker’s Demise: What Your Business Can Learn
Ted Baker, a well-known British fashion brand since the late 1980s, is closing its remaining UK stores, affecting over 500 jobs. The brand, famous for its floral prints and quirky advertising, struggled with increasing competition, the shift to online shopping, and internal instability following founder Ray Kelvin's departure amid misconduct allegations.
How to add a bit of Disney magic to YOUR business
This week, the BBC has produced a fascinating potted history of the Disney Company, now celebrating 100 years in business and there is a lot we can learn from it about growth and adaptability.
Check out this week’s article to get my top tips on how to add a bit of magic to your business.
Why are there so many fast food offers right now?
In response to heightened competition and shifts in consumer behavior, fast-food chains are aggressively increasing their promotional offers. Data indicates that the number of promotions across fast-food outlets surged by 33% from April to June this year compared to the same period last year.
Should we all be running more promos? Not so. Check out my top tips here.