Equestrian brand Harry Hall has announced a record-breaking year, achieving 33 percent revenue growth in its 2024–25 financial year. The company's dual focus on retail and insurance has driven standout results, including over £1 million in additional retail revenue and arranging insurance cover for more than 100,000 horses and their owners across the UK.
This marks the third consecutive year of record growth for the business, which continues to expand its reach through the Harry Hall One Club - a growing community of horse owners and riders.
Liz Hopper, Managing Director at Harry Hall, said: "We're proud to have achieved significant financial success this year."
Posted: 11 August 2025
Anna McLoughlin Fine Jewellery has been awarded the prestigious HALO Award for 2025, in recognition of her innovative work to engage customers with the importance of hallmarking and consumer protection in the jewellery sector.
The HALO Award, established by the British Hallmarking Council in 2021, and now operating under the Assay Assured banner, a joint venture between the four assay offices of the UK (Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield) is awarded annually. HALO recognises the UK-based jewellery business that uses their online platform in the most creative ways to leverage the added value that hallmarking provides and to educate their audience on the meaning and importance of the hallmark.
Posted: 6 August 2025
Gandys, the adventure-inspired lifestyle brand known for combining travel-ready products with social impact, is proud to announce its official certification as a B Corporation.
This milestone recognises Gandys' unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact for people and the planet – while delivering high-quality, purpose-driven products.
From day one, Gandys has stood for more than just style and function. Born from a journey of resilience and inspired by global adventure, the brand was founded on the belief that business can and should give back.
Gandys donates 10 percent of every sale to support the empowerment of children through education projects.
Posted: 1 August 2025
New research from Ventrica has revealed the revenue benefits for brands that invest in providing emotive customer experiences (CX) that consumers want.
The company surveyed over 2,000 UK consumers and found that over the last 12 months, only 4 per cent of positive experiences were delivered by AI and only 18 per cent were a combination of AI and human interaction. Furthermore, only just over half (53 percent) found chatbots to be a successful means of resolving enquiries, significantly lower than calls (87 percent).
This is leaving UK brands at risk of losing out on potential revenue opportunities, with the survey finding consumers would be willing to spend up to £100 more on a brand in the future, following a positive experience.
Posted: 8 July 2025
Mack Trucks, celebrating its 125th anniversary as one of the world's most iconic manufacturers, has announced a licensing agreement with Poetic Brands, a specialist apparel licensee.
The pan-European license grants Poetic Brands rights to design, manufacture and distribute adults' and children's apparel and accessories featuring the legendary Mack® brand.
The collaboration will leverage Mack's storied heritage and recognisable brand assets, including the famous Mack Bulldog, the special 125-year anniversary logo and the trucks themselves. The ethically sourced collection will be available at multiple retailers across Europe beginning autumn/winter 2025.
"For 125 years, Mack Trucks has built a global reputation for reliability, durability and authentic American grit," said Cam Creech, senior manager of partnerships and licensing at Mack Trucks.
Posted: 4 July 2025
German backpack brand Kapten & Son is excited to announce the opening of its first-ever UK retail store, launching in August, in the heart of London's vibrant Seven Dials/Covent Garden district.
This opening marks a major milestone in the brand's international expansion, bringing the beloved Kapten & Son experience to one of Europe's most influential fashion capitals. With a strong footprint across continental Europe – thanks to successful store launches in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Vienna, and Amsterdam – London now represents the next step in connecting with a growing global community of urban adventurers.
The new flagship store will offer a series of interactive experience stations designed to help visitors find their ideal backpack.
Posted: 30 June 2025
Supplier of colourful jewellery, scarves and bags, Miss Milly has scooped the gong for Micro Business of the Year at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Awards.
"We have previously been a finalist for Most Promising New Business," explains a delighted Sarah Watmore, Owner. "And after a strong period of sustained growth it felt like the right time to enter these prestigious, local awards again. I am over the moon that our consistency, passion, evolution and success has been formally recognised."
Judged by representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Luke Elliott from the Worcestershire Growth Hub, Sarah was presented with her award at a sparkling magic-themed evening at the Worcester Arena.
Posted: 25 June 2025
A new drive to grow the number of small businesses in the UK, through targeted support for side-hustles and start-ups, has been announced by Small Business Britain and eBay.
The new Side-Hustle Lab – a free, six-week online programme, designed to help people get started, scale up, and build successful businesses – will launch on 4th June.
With the number of small businesses falling by 9 percent over the last five years – from a peak of 6 million in 2020 to 5.45 million in 2024 – the organisations are jointly calling for greater support for start-ups, and particularly businesses starting life as side-hustles.
Posted: 3 June 2025
Leading carton manufacturers, Falconer Print & Packaging, has helped Yorkshire-based brand, The Woodland Gift Company, turn a heartfelt vision into a commercial triumph by producing a bespoke, storybook-style jewellery box that has redefined the brand's identity.
Thanks to the team at Falconer Print, what began as a simple prototype crafted on an ironing board has transformed into a beautifully engineered packaging solution.
The whimsical "Storybook Gift Box", opening into an enchanting woodland scene with a jewellery jar nestled inside, has captured customers' imaginations and helped the brand achieve one of its strongest trading periods ever.
"From our first meeting, Falconer Print just got it," said Charlotte Appleton, founder of The Woodland Gift Company.
Posted: 28 May 2025
G H Stafford & Son LTD — one of the UK's leading suppliers of leathergoods and accessories — is launching a nationwide Window Display Competition to celebrate the creativity of independent retailers. The competition kicks off on Saturday 24th May 2025.
Retailers are invited to submit photos of a window display featuring G H Staffords' products by Monday 7th July 2025, with a £100 account credit awarded to the best entry in each of six regions:
Scotland & NI, North, Midlands, South, Wales, and Ireland.
Posted: 22 May 2025
