NEWS
Ultimate Products reports rise in half-year revenue
especially those that are energy efficient and money saving, continue to resonate strongly with consumers.
“Global supply chain disruption has now eased, which has improved stock availability and supported the growing demand from our online customers.” “Looking ahead, we expect that the
U
ltimate Products, the owner of several homeware brands including Salter, has reported a
rise in half-year revenue. Unaudited group revenues for the six months to 31 January 2023 increased 2 per cent to £87.6m at the listed outfit. Online channels were the main driver of growth.
Simon Showman, chief executive,
said: “Amidst a tough economic climate, we are delighted that our products,
current softness in global shipping pricing, as well as the partial recovery in Sterling, will provide additional relief against the ongoing inflationary backdrop.”
Showman added: “We are increasingly
excited by the positive impact that our robotics process automation programme is having on our business. “Our bottom-up, demand-led approach
to automation enables us to concentrate efforts on the items that can most improve productivity, and this will ultimately enhance operating margins and drive an even better customer experience.”
MissPrint brings new product lines to John Lewis
B
ritish family- owned design business
BIRA CEO issues statement on Spring Budget announcement
T
he British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has said the forecast for the future from the Spring Budget announcement looks brighter - but warns that businesses still are in for a rough few months ahead. BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said they hope the forecast for the future helps improve customer confidence and will drive economic growth. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, said: “The Chancellor was upbeat about the economy in that we are likely to avoid a recession and forecast growth is better than expected. We wanted to hear about plans for growth and we were told about
4 | March/April 2023
new investment zones, increased capital tax allowances for business investment, and £200M in local regeneration. “These are positive measures, but in long term are not necessarily addressing the challenges faced by businesses on the high street today. “We were not expecting much from the Budget today and while we are pleased with the focus on growth, many of the big announcements are focused on long- term investment. “We hope that the better economic
forecasts and more people returning to work will improve consumer confidence – often the key driver for high street economic growth. Unfortunately, though there was nothing to ease the fears of indie retailers dealing with the pressures of today. “The pressures of inflation, high energy costs, and energy support are set to reduce by 95% in April, and wages are set to increase by 9% in April. This budget may improve consumer confidence, but it does little to boost the confidence of businesses on the high streets throughout the UK,” he added.
MissPrint has expanded its presence in the nation’s biggest stores with the launch of three new product lines. With two of the new products arriving in John Lewis in February, and the other available to buy from Next in March, MissPrint is fast becoming a big name on the high street. Spanning tabletop, kitchen textiles, stationery, gift, curtains and blinds, the new products lines have been created as part of MissPrint’s long running and hugely successful brand licensing programme with The Point.1888. From MissPrint’s licensee partner, Pure Table Top, comes a unique and beautiful mid-century collection of ceramics, kitchen textiles, placemats, and coasters. Illustrated by hand, the debut tabletop collection captures MissPrint’s signature style and identity to breathe new life into the home. The collection, which is intended to fill the gap in the
market for fresh, Spring products, launched at John Lewis in mid-February and is also available on both MissPrint’s and Pure Table Top’s websites and from selected independent stores and garden centres across the UK.
Also coming to John Lewis this month is a range of gifts and stationery created by MissPrint’s licensee Blueprint Collections. The range includes notebooks, storage boxes, a pen set, lunchware, travel mugs and ceramic plant pots, and shall complement the Pure Table Top collection beautifully. It will be available exclusively in John Lewis until 2 May 2023 and then rolled out to other retailers across the UK. Hitting Next online later this month, as well as Blinds2Go, is a new range of MissPrint designed made- to-measure curtains and blinds. Created with licensee partner Ashley Wilde, the range consists of over 75 MissPrint designs, and are sure to add character and interest to any colour scheme. Co-founder, Rebecca Drury, said: “We’re super excited
to have these new products and collections launching and can’t wait to see them hitting the stores! It’s been a real pleasure to work with all the teams across the ranges, and we love the fact that our patterns and designs will be accessible to a broader market helping to bring that little bit of MissPrint into more homes!”
housewareslive.net
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