A THIRD OF SCOTTISH BUSINESSES IN BETTER “ELF” THIS CHRISTMAS !
Bank of Scotland survey shows:
33% of businesses expect higher revenues this Christmas compared to last year
23% of businesses expect to see increased demand this seasonal period
Only one in ten (10%) of retailers say they are completely ready for Christmas trading
However, a fifth (20%) of firms said they do not feel fully prepared for the festive trading period
Despite high inflation, rising energy prices and a tighter labour market, 33% of firms in Scotland expect this Christmas trading period to be merry and bright compared to last year, according to the latest insight from the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
Those predicting a bumper festive period cited having more time to prepare (25%), while increasing customer demand was cited by 22% of firms as they felt less affected by Covid restrictions due to the Omicron variant last year. Those expecting a worse Christmas trading period said they were struggling with increased costs of doing business (10%).
Almost three-quarters of businesses surveyed said that Christmas was important for their future prospects (74%), but only one in ten (10%) said they felt completely prepared for Christmas. Meanwhile, a fifth (20%) said they are not yet fully prepared for the festive period.
When asked what could help firms prepare more effectively, 30% said they wanted more support with rising costs, with 23% saying that better access to their supply networks would help. Skilled workers were also high on businesses’ wish lists, with 25% saying access to more skilled staff would boost Christmas trading.
Chris Lawrie, area director for Bank of Scotland, said: “This year has been marked by highs and lows but it’s encouraging to see many firms are in good spirits about trade over the festive period.
“With no restrictions in place, the opportunities for businesses are clear but we know that some aren’t fully prepared for this Christmas trading period. It’s essential that businesses put plans in place now to carefully manage cashflow and make the most of what will be a busy end of the year.”
– St Andrew’s Day celebrated with launch of partnership between iconic Scottish brands Johnnie Walker Princes Street x Harris Tweed Hebrides
– First whisky finished in special casks in one of the world’s smallest warehouse in city centre cellar goes on exclusive sale at Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Johnnie Walker Princes Street is celebrating St Andrew’s Day with the launch of a highly desirable new whisky, complete with luxury packaging created in collaboration with legendary Scottish textile house,Harris Tweed Hebrides.
Marking the first ‘Johnnie Walker Princes Street Collective’ – a series that brings together the world’s leading Scotch whisky with Scotland’s best creative forces to create unique and collectable whiskies – the Johnnie Walker x Harris Tweed collaboration features a beautifully designed bottle of the Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Princes Street Blend, accompanied by a bespoke Harris Tweed carry bag.
The whisky represents a world first, having been matured over the past year in hand-selected American oak casks in the Whisky Makers Cellar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. The cellar, holding just 26casks, is unique amongst bonded warehouse in Scotland, tucked beneath one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets.
30th November 2022, Edinburgh – Johnnie Walker Princes Street is celebrating St Andrew’s Day with the launch of a highly desirable new whisky, complete with luxury packaging created in collaboration with legendary Scottish textile house, Harris Tweed Hebrides.
Photograph: Mike Wilkinson…30/112022
Issued on behalf of Diageo.
Copyright: Mike Wilkinson.
Credit: Mike Wilkinson.
07768 393673
mike@mike-wilkinson.com
www.mike-wilkinson.com
Launching the new whisky, Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Scotland Brand Homes at Diageosaid: “Our collaboration with Harris Tweed has been an exciting way to celebrate the first experimental bottling finished here in our cellar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
“The partnership brings together two iconic Scottish brands, and the resulting collection embodies our shared heritage and passion for blending – whether that’s liquid, or thread. We’re sure it’ll provide festive gift inspiration for whisky and style lovers alike.”
George Harper, Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist who created the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Collective bottling, added: “This particular blend was experimental in many ways, and it was exciting to use a completely different type of ‘warehouse’ for the final year of maturation.
“The unique finishing process has further enhanced the flavours of the liquid and we are really pleased with the end result, and I am sure consumers will love it too.”
Mark Hogarth, Creative Director, Harris Tweed Hebrides: “We have been hugely excited about this project with Johnnie Walker and feel a lot of synergy between our two brands.
“While Johnnie Walker carefully blends liquids to create flavour, so do we at Harris Tweed, expertly weaving different shades of wool to produce colour and pattern.
“This particular plaid brings Edinburgh and Harris together, all wrapped up in luxury, craftsmanship and time; elements that are also reflected in the exquisite liquid that George and his team have created.”
The unusual maturation conditions of the cellar, which is warmer than traditional warehouses, enhanced the impact of the wood, pulling in all the oaky flavours, leading to a rich and creamy oak nose, a palate of honeysuckle and red berry flavours and a long and fruity finish with warming wood smoke.
30th November 2022, Edinburgh – Johnnie Walker Princes Street is celebrating St Andrew’s Day with the launch of a highly desirable new whisky, complete with luxury packaging created in collaboration with legendary Scottish textile house, Harris Tweed Hebrides.
Photo shows George Harper, Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist who created the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Collective bottling (L),
Mark Hogarth, Creative Director, Harris Tweed Hebrides (R) and Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker Master Blender (centre).
Photograph: Mike Wilkinson…30/112022
Issued on behalf of Diageo.
Copyright: Mike Wilkinson.
Credit: Mike Wilkinson.
07768 393673
mike@mike-wilkinson.com
www.mike-wilkinson.com
In designing the bespoke plaid for the collaboration, the Harris Tweed Hebrides team drew inspiration from their home in the Outer Hebrides, and the home of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh to create a vibrant blend of the two Scottish locations.
The bag has been created in partnership with BeYonder, a charity specialising in ethical manufacturing. As part of the project, BeYonder engaged textile students from Glasgow City College to help manufacture the bags.
Those who’d like a chance to try the whisky before they buy should book themselves on Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Whisky Makers Cellar experience or 1820 bar for a chance to enjoy it in a highball, cocktail, or dram.
The Johnnie Walker x Harris Tweed Hebrides collection will be available to purchase from 1st December exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Princes Street Blend + Harris Tweed carry bag (£169)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has collaborated with world leading tartan manufacturer, Lochcarron of Scotland, to create luxury fashion and homeware accessories as part of its latest retail range, ‘Coorie’.
The exclusive tartan collection, which launched yesterday, features a stylish lambswool scarf, cosy fine wool scarf, and luxurious 100% Bowhill lambswool throw. Designed and woven at one of the oldest weaving mills in the country, the quality garments use soft heathery tones inspired by Scottish nature to bring the true sense of Coorie comfort to life, with colours which complement any season.
With a shared passion for preserving Scotland’s rich heritage, the partnership is a celebration of timeless design, blending style and innovation with traditional techniques. Created by some of the most experienced craftspeople in the industry, the Coorie collection showcases the best of the country’s textiles, using natural fibres to create premium, durable products.
The tartan Coorie collection is also linked to a wider Coorie retail offering, made up of a range of lifestyle products, including ceramics by Clod & Pebble, chocolates by Quirky Gift Library and candles by The Coorie Company. Made to encapsulate a deep sense of comfort, warmth and happiness, the range offers an elusive feeling of cosiness as the colder months creep in.
Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re excited to have joined forces with Lochcarron of Scotland, whose team are renowned for their attention to detail and craftsmanship, to help us bring our vision to life in creating the ultimate timeless tartan collection.
“The Coorie range is designed to provide the optimal cosy haven – indoors or when out and about. With all items beautifully crafted across different areas of the country, we’re able to support both local businesses and manufacturers and spotlight true Scottish talent.
“And with Christmas just around the corner, the collection offers a wonderful selection of items, from stylish home additions to seasonal must-have accessories, perfect for gifting to your loved ones.”
The full Coorie collection is available to shop now, online at www.stor.scot or at selected Historic Environment Scotland sites .
MSPs on the Economy and Fair Work Committee have called for action to halt the long-standing decline of town centres, as it publishes a new report following an inquiry into the issue.
The Committee’s inquiry concluded that the planning system needs to be strengthened to ensure no new developments unfairly compete with town centre provision. Alongside this, a rebalancing of the cost of doing business to make town centres more competitive including how non-domestic rates currently operate, to support investment in town centres.
Every town in Scotland should have their own Town Plan, a long-term strategic vision for the future that recognises the unique nature of our towns, their histories and the community that brings them together. It should be driven locally by communities and not imposed from the top down. Transparency of ownership and powers to tackle derelict or dangerous buildings also need further action.
Claire Baker MSP, Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee said: “This report should signal a line in the sand for how we support, develop and prioritise investment in our town centres. We all know a town centre that has empty shops, a lack of investment and few thriving businesses.
“Throughout this inquiry we heard that although the pandemic accelerated trends towards online shopping, people really care about the future of their town centre and what is on their doorstep. The positive benefits that a thriving town centre can bring are clear – not just economically but socially and culturally as well.
“As we move into a challenging period of our retail sector, our Committee is unified in its call that vibrant, thriving town centres must be prioritised. This report recognises that the only way to do that is through changing how we support these developments through various measures from planning to non-domestic business rates.
“This report signals that change is needed. We know there is no quick fix but unless we start now, then we won’t be able to halt the accelerated decline of recent years we’ve seen already in too many communities across Scotland.”
Specific measures include:
Strengthening the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) to ensure that any proposed developments can demonstrate that town centre sites have been pursued and thoroughly evaluated and that developments will have no adverse impact on town centres and will not compete with town centre provision.
The overarching principle must be rebalancing the cost of doing business in town centres versus out-of-town sites. Approaches that could be considered include giving Councils the power to levy an out-of-town development premium or a business rates surcharge which could then be used for town centre regeneration.
The current non-domestic rates (NDR) system acts as a disincentive when trying to attract businesses back to our town centres. For businesses already located in town centres, the current NDR system acts as a disincentive to invest in already occupied property, as any investment leads to an increase in NDR. The Committee consistently heard that the current system works against investment and growth in town centre retail and that the NDR system should be rebalanced to support town centre development.
There is strong demand amongst Scotland’s smaller retailers for more and better support to build their online presence and to be able to take advantage of platforms that already exist. A broader range of opportunities must be made available to upskill, strengthen and future-proof our retail workforce.
Transparency of beneficial ownership of town centre property and land and absentee owners can still be a problem, particularly where an individual lives or is based overseas. It is the Committee’s strong view that all property and landowners should be contactable and there should be clarity on who the owner is. The Scottish Government has said its focus is on Compulsory Purchase Orders. The Committee is of the view that the Scottish Government’s actions may be insufficient and that more may need to be to address this problem.
Local authorities have a range of powers available to them to tackle derelict or dangerous buildings but they are not used as frequently or proactively as we would like. There can be a reluctance to resort to those statutory powers, in part due to a lack of resources to carry actions through. The Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to reform and modernise the compulsory purchase orders.
The Committee recognises the value of, and increased demand for, online and e-commerce activities and the importance of increasing the use of technology as a driver of increased productivity. A strategically driven action plan should be developed by the Scottish Government to support the take-up of training and capacity building to support Scotland’s eCommerce activity.
Shoppers looking for a bargain are being advised to make the most of Cyber Monday deals with tips on how to make the most of the event:
Anxious Brits who are worried about Christmas spending costs are being advised to start shopping early to make the most of early sales this November.
The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed 10 top tips for shoppers to follow to help them grab the best deals and spare the extra cash.
With the biggest sales event of the year soon approaching, shoppers are being advised to browse carefully and plan early to secure the best bargains available.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens this winter, a large number of retailers have launched special discount events from the start of November to help people grab the best deals throughout the entire month.
Many of these deals are taking place online due to changing shopping habits, with eager shoppers being encouraged to start early to avoid lengthy online queues and gain early access to the top deals.
Making accounts before the discounts go live and setting up your banking details before the discount event are just some of the savvy tips shoppers can follow to make the most out of the seasonal offers.
Rebecca Bebbington, online consumer expert atNetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “With the cost-of-living crisis deepening this winter, many are worried about the costs of the festive spending period.
“We’re advising people to start shopping as early as possible – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to grab a bargain and save on buying Christmas gifts by shopping in advance.
“Using simple shopping tactics such as having a plan in place on what you want to buy and keeping an eye out for special deals on social media can help buyers to check off the Christmas list without breaking the bank.”
“However, we’re noticing brands offering discount codes and reducing their prices as early as now so it’s best to get on top of these special deals at the earliest possibility.”
Here are 10 useful ways for shoppers to make the most of Cyber Monday from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk:
Start early
Many retailers now start their sales up to a week or two before the big day. Keep an eye for bargains in the lead up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday in order to not miss out on a great bargain.
Have a plan
Calculating what you want to buy, the price you want to buy it at, and where you want to get it from is essential if you want to avoid any stressful situations on the day. Try to set a budget to help control overspending, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
Hold off the impulse buys
Impulse buying on Black Friday can be a dangerous game, so creating a list of products to purchase prior to the sales can help to avoid any impulse purchases.
Use discount codes
Many retailers allow shoppers to use multiple discount codes at the checkout, so there is no harm in checking voucher websites for an extra few quid off an item. Even if there aren’t any codes to use, voucher sites may reveal exclusive deals only available through them.
Research the price
More than often, retailers can sometimes change the original price of products before big sales to make them appear to be a better deal. So make sure to evaluate the prices in the lead up to Black Friday to make sure you get more for your buck.
Make accounts in advance
Online retailers typically ask shoppers to create accounts in order to purchase products. Creating these accounts early can save precious time at the checkouts, before items quickly become out of stock.
Check the returns policy
It’s vital to check the returns policy for any items bought both in-store and online. Most stores will offer you a full refund or exchange however, they’re not obliged to so it’s always best to check with the retailer before you buy.
Remember Cyber Monday
If you’re busy on Black Friday, don’t panic. Due to the rising popularity of the seasonal discount event as well as the marketing opportunities for companies, deals usually span the weekend and into Cyber Monday too.
Don’t use a debit card
When you’re buying items during the sales, try to use a credit card or a trusted payment system. This provides extra protection when shopping on the web especially on sites that may not be protected while making it easier to manage monthly payments if you don’t have the full amount in the bank.
Monitor social media
A quick scroll of the Instagram, Twitter or Facebook feed can reveal some offers and discounts exclusive to social media users. Brands will also provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding stock, opening times and even how busy their retail stores are.
John Lewis click and collect orders can now be picked up from selected Dobbies’ stores. Customers at Dobbies in Edinburgh and little dobbies in Stockbridge can now collect their John Lewis parcels in store.
This expands the relationship between Dobbies and the John Lewis Partnership after it was announced in July that Waitrose would have a dedicated area offering more than 2,000 products in 50 of the garden centre’s foodhalls. The roll out is already underway having been launched in 12 Dobbies’ stores, including Edinburgh.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re committed to providing convenience to our customers and this new collaboration enables us to further develop this focus. It’s important that we share a commitment to great value, quality and customer service with our partners.
“We hope our customers in Edinburgh find this new development beneficial.”
Ged Keogh-Peters, Director of Supply Chain Planning & Development for the John Lewis Partnership, adds: “The introduction of click and collect further strengthens our partnership with Dobbies and underlines our ambition to find new ways to be more convenient for our customers.
“The service is growing in popularity every year with customers increasingly wanting the ease of being able to pick up their order at a time and place which works for them.”
Dobbies is the latest retailer to join the existing network of over 350 John Lewis and Waitrose Click & Collect points, along with over 800 Co-op, Shell and Booths locations.
The other Dobbies’ stores offering Click & Collect are Dunfermline, Aberdeen, Gillingham, Atherstone, Brighton, and little dobbies in Westbourne Grove, London.
Coming up this Saturday, Castle Street Christmas Market, run by LocalMotive Markets is once again making a festive splash with a wealth of artisan, bespoke ethical and fair trade products, handcrafted gifts and seasonal foodie & drink delights.
Set just below the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle looking onto Princes Street – now in its 15th year – the Christmas market with its distinctive festive gazebos, will be running for four weeks from the 26 November until the 23 December, with new exhibitors joining every week.
This year ice skating, funfair rides and a whole lot of festive activities are taking place across the city and LocalMotive Markets are excited to be running two beautiful Christmas Markets at Castle Street as well Ocean Terminal. *See dates below for Ocean Terminal.
Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Marketssaid: “We are seeing some amazing talent coming through – and this year with twenty stalls, we have “Loved by Bridget” handmade pebble art and upcycled items made by Lisa from Leven – who has a real passion for all things coastal.
“Also Borders based, Bowbrook Studios making exquisite collectible figurines with everything from farm animals to otters and discover Leanme Art Studio – artist Arias Deniz’s colourful sketches and paintings of Edinburgh streets and houses as well as jewellery.”
“We have built a strong market following from all the artists, producers and local people involved. We are inviting our festive visitors to browse and enjoy our market with the opportunity to buy some unique and affordable gifts – for example Gecko Gifts; Frangipani Toby Jewels, Floraidh Soaps, Gamries Candles and 100% Cards, and authentic Sicilian confectionery by Tipico, a sumptuous range of cheeses from Damn Fine Cheese and out of this world delicious range of chilli jams from Slaped Toasties…..
“Come and join us at our markets and take time to chat to the makers directly, as they each have a terrific story to tell about how they got started – some family run businesses, some part-time creativity or a new life venture – they all have some truly amazing stories to tell. Maybe they will inspire you to become a maker too.
Managing Director of family-owned jeweller Beaverbrooks, Anna Blackburn, said: “In Beaverbrooks’ 103-year history we have never opened on Boxing Day, to give our amazing colleagues more time to spend with their families and thank them for their hard work throughout the year.
“As a business run on strong family values this is something that has always been incredibly important to us, and this year our 70 stores will remain closed on the date once again, to allow our people to enjoy well-earned time with their loved ones after the busy Christmas period.
“We know it is a challenging time for many people and to support our colleagues, as well as giving them more time to spend with family over the festive season, we will continue our tradition of an extra week’s salary in December for all colleagues to show our appreciation for their hard work. This comes in addition to an investment of £500,000 in cost-of-living payments made in October to all colleagues (£500 one off payment per colleague), providing further financial support in line with increasing costs.
“Rising costs have been a key consideration for all our business decisions this year and we have made sure to put our teams across the UK at the heart of them.
“For instance, we have just created a breakfast club for office colleagues to come and get a healthy nutritious breakfast every day on us. we have guaranteed salary increases for all Beaverbrooks colleagues year-on-year, even during the pandemic, and based on our record-breaking 2021/22 financial success, we paid our biggest ever bonuses to store colleagues.
“We also introduced significant increases in profit bonuses for office teams and all store management to reward the hard work of all colleagues across the past few challenging years.
“Closing on Boxing Day is something we know our colleagues value greatly, and we feel passionate about continuing this tradition, and hopefully inspiring other businesses to follow in our footsteps.”
Beaverbrooks is an award-winning family-owned jeweller established in 1919 with 70 stores across the UK, providing exceptional quality diamonds, jewellery and watches. For further information please visit www.beaverbrooks.co.uk
Customers of Dobbies Garden Centres in the Lothians can now shop in store for the finest quality and award-winning products by ‘farm to fork’ company Puddledub.
The Fife-based producer already has a presence in Dobbies’ Dunfermline store not far from its family farm near the village of Auchtertool. Based on the success of the butcher at this store, the family business is now extending its presence to Dobbies in Edinburgh and Livingston, offering pork, beef, lamb, poultry and deli items, produced from its own livestock and sourced from other local suppliers.
Top products include dry cured bacon, delicious hams, luxury pork sausages and home-made steak pies.
The Mitchell family behind Puddledub have been at Clentrie Farm since 1905. The farm is focused on high welfare, sustainable pork production and caring for the environment.
Peter Mitchell, Director at Puddledub, said: “Just like Dobbies, we’re passionate about offering our customers the very best products and have a highly skilled team.
“That’s why we work with trusted partners that share our ethos, commitment to value and high-quality standards. The butchers in Dobbies’ Dunfermline store has proven to be a great success and we’re sure it will be the same in Edinburgh and Livingston.”
David Gibson, Regional Manager at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “Puddledub is one of Scotland’s finest farms and meat producers, so we’re really pleased to welcome them to another two stores.
“The company has a thriving in-store and online retail presence already, proving how popular its products are. They’ll be an excellent addition to our foodhall in both Edinburgh and Livingston, offering great value products for our customers.”
Puddledub joins Dobbies’ diverse range of existing foodhall partnerships with brands including Waitrose, Hotel Chocolat, Whittards and Cook.
Both Dobbies and Puddledub are focused on reducing their impact on the environment. Puddledub is committed to sustainable farming and providing high-quality local produce to their customers. Each step from the breeding of their home-grown pigs, to the preparation of their products is thoughtfully done.
Dobbies is also actively working with suppliers to reduce single-use plastics and packaging, while offering a range of in-store recycling opportunities and reducing food waste in partnership with Too Good to Go.
Marks and Spencer is to close it’s food store in Ocean Terminal. The store will close before the end of the year, but the company insists ‘the vast majority’ of Leith staff will be offered new jobs other M & S stores.
Scott Munro, M&S’s regional manager for the east of Scotland, said: “Shopping habits are changing and we’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland and the UK to make sure we’re reflecting the needs of our customers.
“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our decision to close the M&S Ocean Terminal store at Ocean Terminal later this year.
“Our priority is to support our colleagues through these changes and we are confident of being able to offer new roles to the vast majority of those affected.
“We are committed to Edinburgh and this decision means there are more opportunities to invest in our eight other stores across the city.”
“But their decision does not impact on our plans. Instead, it has allowed us to actively pursue a range of opportunities for partnership with alternative food retailers as part of ongoing plans to reconfigure Ocean Terminal and shape the ongoing transformation of the centre and its important waterfront location.”
Responding to news of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Ocean Terminal, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was shocked to find out today that the M&S store in Ocean Terminal is set for closure with the loss of a number of jobs. This could be the death knell for Ocean Terminal.
“Marks & Spencer is one of Ocean Terminal’s remaining flagship outlets for the area.
“With the tram set to arrive before long, I fear that this is a short-term decision that will damage Leith in the long-term.
“I will be writing to Marks & Spencer to seek a meeting to urgently review this decision.”
