Burts cooks up £6m investment into Leicester factory

Burts has invested £6m into its Leicester factory this year, doubling the site’s capacity to produce more hand-cooked chips and compression popped snacks to keep up with demand. The investment aligns with the company’s organic and strategic growth plan, creating new avenues for progression and opportunities for its employees. As part of the investment, installations include two new state-of-the-art fryers, one new bagging system and 14 compression poppers to create the brand’s popular Lentil Chips, along with doubling the potato storage capacity and updating handling operations. These improvements to the factory have created 16 new jobs at the Leicester location for frying and popping operatives. The premium snacks brand was acquired by European snack producer, Europe Snacks earlier this year. Burts continues to operate from its two manufacturing sites in Leicester, Plymouth and Devon. Dave McNulty, Managing Director at Burts, said: “It’s an exciting time for the business, and the investment means we’re able to double our capacity at our Leicester site to keep up with the demand of our products. “The improvement this will have on our manufacturing capabilities will allow us to continue to grow and innovate at a time where we want to continue building the momentum in the snacking category.”

Shoe Zone hails record profits

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Leicester-based Shoe Zone has hailed record profits in a new, unaudited full year trading update for the 52 weeks to 30 September 2023 (FY 2023). Adjusted profit before tax is expected to be not less than £16m, up from £11.2m last year, while group revenue increased by 6.1% to £165.7m, from £156.2m. The 6.1% increase is due to strong second half trading, particularly in peak summer and the footwear retailer’s key back to school period, with these results coming from 37 fewer stores than last year. Chief Executive, Anthony Smith, said: “I am pleased to announce that Shoe Zone has had a strong year, continuing the momentum gained from the positive year we had in 2022. “We continue our strategy to expand our Hybrid and Big Box formats via refits (15) and relocations and new stores (35). Shoe Zone continues to show how resilient it is, with a proven track record of delivering robust results during times of economic uncertainty. “I would like to thank all of our teams for their continued commitment and hard work that have produced these great results.”

Frasers Group to acquire German sports retailer

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Retail giant Frasers Group has entered into a binding agreement with Signa Retail Department Store Holding GmbH to acquire SportScheck, one of the leading sports retailers in Germany. The acquisition will enable Frasers to grow its presence in Germany, one of the biggest sports markets in Europe. SportScheck has over 75 years of expertise in sports retail, with 34 stores in prime city locations across Germany, revenue of approximately €350m, and a loyal customer base of over 13 million visitors per year. Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group, said: “Acquiring the leading sporting goods retailer in Germany is a big step in our journey to becoming the number one sports retailer in EMEA – and we are delighted to do this with the full support of major global brand partners, Adidas and Nike. “Growing and expanding our Sports business is a key focus area in becoming an international retail business. The German market represents a huge opportunity for us, and we look forward to bringing our experience, resources and relationships to strengthen the SportScheck business.” Bjørn Gulden, CEO of Adidas AG, said: “Michael’s elevation of Frasers Group and Sports Direct has been impressive. The acquisition of SportScheck is another big commitment to the sports industry and a natural evolution in their strategy of becoming a global player. We are committed and excited to support Sports Direct on their journey.” Completion of the transaction will be subject to Merger Control Clearance and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.

Professional services group snaps up Leicester accountancy practice

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Xeinadin Group, the professional services group, has acquired Alacrity Accountancy, a Leicester-based accountancy practice.

Alacrity Accountancy was established 20 years ago and services clients from a range of industries including healthcare, dentistry and property across the UK and internationally. The firm specialises in all aspects of general practice including accounts, taxation and business advisory or support services.

The new acquisition will bring significant resources to help both staff and clients prosper through the challenges and opportunities posed by AI and other emerging technologies.

This is the 15th acquisition announcement made by Xeinadin since Exponent’s investment and marks a key milestone in the group’s expansion. The move continues the growth of Xeinadin’s footprint and brings additional expertise into the group whilst maintaining its focus on becoming the most trusted advisor for founder-owned businesses.

Xeinadin Group CEO Derry Crowley said: “Welcoming Alacrity Accountancy under the Xeinadin Group is another great step forward in establishing our continued growth. With a laser-eyed focus on the needs of SMEs, Alacrity’s quality of services and clientele are an excellent fit for what we expect across the group. We look forward to working with the team.”

Alacrity Accountancy founder and director Viren Kotecha said: “Alacrity is excited to be joining the Xeinadin Group and expanding upon the shared vision of providing exceptional local accountancy services to owner-managed businesses.

“With the support and knowledge that will be available as part of the network of 135 offices, we will be able to improve and increase the level of services offered to our clients to assist them with their goals.”

Rolls-Royce proposes 2000-2500 job cuts

Rolls-Royce has revealed plans for “a simpler, more streamlined, organisation” in the next phase of its multi-year transformation, including significant job cuts. It is said the new structure will create a more agile business that is better able to serve customers and continue to create and maintain world-class products. It will apparently help Rolls-Royce build enhanced capabilities in key areas such as procurement and supply chain management, ensuring they are “as strong as the company’s engineering and technical excellence.” Rolls-Royce says the changes being proposed will also remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies. It is estimated that 2000-2500 roles will be removed globally. Rolls-Royce currently employs 42,000 people worldwide. Focused on core business capabilities, Engineering Technology & Safety will come together as a single team across the group, responsible for product safety, engineering standards, process, methods and tools. It will be led by Simon Burr, currently Director – Product Development and Technology, Civil Aerospace, who is joining the Executive Team with immediate effect. Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, will be leaving the business in April 2024. The proposals include creating a new enterprise-wide procurement and supplier management organisation to support the consolidation of group spend, leverage scale and develop consistent best in class standards. As well as delivering savings, a greater focus on these key areas will reportedly lead to improvements in customer service, reducing supply chain delays. Enabling functions, such as Finance, General Counsel and People will also be brought together across Rolls-Royce, standardising activity and providing shared support. Tufan Erginbilgic, Chief Executive, said: “We are building a Rolls-Royce that is fit for the future. That means a more streamlined and efficient organisation that will deliver for our customers, partners and shareholders. “Our business is full of committed, talented people and I believe these changes will enable them to build greater capability in areas that are key to our long-term success. This is another step on our multi-year transformation journey to build a high performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce.”

Does video marketing provide a good return on investment (ROI)?

Businesses are constantly seeking effective marketing strategies to engage their target audience, boost brand awareness, and ultimately, drive profits. Video marketing has emerged as a powerful tool in this arsenal, offering an engaging and dynamic way to connect with customers. However, before committing to creating high-quality video content comes a critical question: does video marketing offer a good return on investment? In this comprehensive article, we will explore the world of video marketing and assess its ROI potential for businesses. We will delve into the statistics, strategies, and success stories that can help you determine whether video marketing is a worthy investment for your brand. The Power of Video Marketing Video marketing is the use of video content to promote and market products or services. It can take various forms, such as explainer videos, product demonstrations, customer testimonials, vlogs, webinars, and so much more. What sets video marketing apart from other forms of content is its ability to convey complex information in a visually engaging and easily digestible manner. Businesses that use video marketing grow their revenue 49% faster year-over-year than those who don’t, according to a report by Vidyard. Videos also generate significantly more engagement on social media platforms compared to text or image-based posts. A study by Buffer found that video posts receive 48% more views on average. What’s more, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in text, as reported by Insivia.
Assessing the ROI of Video Marketing To determine the ROI of video marketing, it’s crucial to consider both the costs associated with creating and promoting video content as well as the benefits that result from these efforts. Costs of Video Marketing:
  1. Production Costs: This includes expenses for equipment, software, hiring videographers or editors, actors, and other resources required to create high-quality videos.
  2. Time and Labour: The man-hours spent on conceptualising, scripting, shooting, and editing videos must also be factored into the costs. Note: If you hire a video production company such as Glowfrog, this will save you significant time and effort, and yield much higher quality video content for your brand.
  3. Distribution Costs: The cost of promoting your videos on various platforms, such as social media advertising, email marketing, and video hosting services.
  4. Opportunity Cost: The time and resources invested in video marketing could be spent on other marketing strategies, so there’s an opportunity cost to consider.
Benefits of Video Marketing:
  1. Increased Brand Awareness: Video marketing can significantly boost brand recognition and trust, leading to long-term benefits.
  2. Engagement and Traffic: Engaging videos can drive more traffic to your website or social media channels, potentially leading to higher sales.
  3. Conversions: Videos can lead to higher conversion rates and sales, depending on the nature of your product or service.
  4. Educating Customers: Videos can educate customers about your offerings, reducing customer service enquiries.
  5. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): High-quality videos can improve your website’s SEO, helping it rank higher in search results.
  Calculating ROI To calculate the ROI of your video marketing campaign, you’ll need to track various metrics such as conversion rates, sales, and customer acquisition costs. This data will help you quantify the financial impact of your video marketing efforts. It’s important to note that the ROI of video marketing can vary significantly depending on your industry, target audience, and the quality of your content. Some industries may see a more substantial return on investment due to the visual and demonstrative nature of their products or services. Real-World Examples: Let’s look at a few real-world examples that showcase the remarkable ROI potential of video marketing.
  • Blendtec, a blender manufacturer, created a viral video series where they blended unusual items, such as iPhones and golf balls. This series led to a 700% increase in sales in a year, primarily due to the videos’ popularity.
  • Dollar Shave Club used a humorous video to introduce their subscription-based razor service. Within 48 hours, the video received 12,000 orders, demonstrating the power of video in driving rapid sales.
  • HubSpot’s Academy offers educational video content to their audience. This strategy increased their annual revenue by 200%, indicating that video marketing can be a powerful tool for businesses offering educational content.
  • Red Bull’s video content, featuring extreme sports and stunts, has helped the brand establish a strong identity and reach a vast, engaged audience. While their ROI might not be easily quantifiable, their brand value has undoubtedly surged.
While the ROI of video marketing can be challenging to measure precisely, the statistics, case studies, and growing consumer appetite for video content clearly indicate its significance in today’s marketing landscape. To ensure a positive ROI on your video marketing efforts, it’s crucial to produce high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your target audience. To ensure that the video quality meets the standards of your brand, make sure to hire a video production company such as Glowfrog. Additionally, continuous monitoring and analysis of your campaigns will enable you to refine your strategy and maximise your returns. In a world where attention spans are shrinking, video marketing offers a compelling way to capture and maintain your audience’s attention, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness, engagement, and, in many cases, a substantial return on investment. So, if you’re still contemplating whether video marketing is worth the investment, the answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s not just a trend; it’s an essential component of a modern marketing strategy.

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Universities contribute £6.3bn to East Midlands economy

As universities in the East Midlands prepare to welcome new students, a new report by London Economics has revealed that higher education makes a £6.3bn contribution to the region’s economy.

Commissioned by Universities UK (UUK), the report further reveals that universities support 53,800 full time equivalent jobs across the East Midlands – this includes those employed by local businesses such as restaurants and retailers who benefit from the economic stimulus universities create.

However, as the sector contends with challenges including a £1bn funding hole in domestic student tuition fees and the pressures created by the cost of living crisis, UUK says there is a pressing need to reform how universities are supported in order to sustain their positive economic impact.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE FRSE, President of Universities UK and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, said: “The East Midlands is a thriving region with universities at the beating heart of so many of its local communities.

“As economic hubs in their own right, universities support and create a huge number of jobs across multiple sectors, meaning people up and down the country benefit financially, whether or not they have a degree. They also play a crucial role in creating the graduates, spin outs and start-ups that provide the basis for economic growth in future.

“The country’s continued investment in higher education institutions can and does pay back dividends; not just for the East Midlands, but the entire UK.”

Looking at the UK as a whole, universities support more than three quarter of a million jobs (768,000 full-time equivalent) and contribute £116bn to the UK economy – this rises to £130bn when the spending of international students is included.

The benefit to sectors from university activities in the 2021-22 academic year, across the UK are:

 

Economic Output

FTE jobs

Agriculture

£0.6bn

6,400

Production

£12.6bn

39,800

Construction

£2.7bn

9,200

Distribution, transport, hotels, and restaurants

£15.4bn

127,000

Information and communication

£3.7bn

16,000

Financial and insurance

£6bn

15,300

Real estate

£9.7bn

12,000

Professional and support activities

£9.2bn

74,700

Government, health & education

£52.8bn

444,200

Other services

£2.9bn

22,500

* Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.

Source, London Economics report.

The figures come as Higher Education Statistical Agency figures show a record 17,933 student start-up businesses now operate in the UK, while the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) forecast universities will help attract more than £2bn in funding for local regeneration projects.

Dr Gavan Conlon, Partner at London Economics, said: “There is no doubt about the contribution of the UK higher education sector to the East Midlands and the rest of the UK’s economy. With approximately 2.9 million students and 385,000 staff across almost 300 higher education providers, the sector is instrumental in driving economic growth in both the short run and longer term.

“Given the financial challenges institutions face, there is a need to provide both adequate resources to support teaching and learning activities, but also certainty in respect of research funding.”       

Aside from producing a talent pool with highly sought after skills, universities provide local businesses and small enterprises with product development support, access to new markets, consultation services, incubators and research facilities and work with organisations to provide jobs for local people within their communities.

Three new business grants for Broxtowe

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With funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Broxtowe Borough Council have launched three new business grants for Broxtowe businesses.
Local businesses can apply for up to £5,000 of funding to help their business to reduce their carbon emissions, grow their micro business and improve the high street. The grants will work as follows:
  • UKSPF SME Energy Grant
This grant scheme will offer up to £5,000 towards a range of energy-saving measures, including the installation of LED lighting, improved insulation, improved heating or cooling systems, upgrade to modern electronic thermostats, fit additional thermostatic controls, or PVC strip curtains to reduce draughts – as identified by an initial energy audit.
  • UKSPF Micro Business Grant
This grant funding round will help local micro businesses address their support needs and help them to take their micro business to the next level, offering up to £5,000. This grant is flexible and could be used to: help to upskill staff or take on and support an apprentice, develop and implement a marketing campaign to grow the business or increase sales, upgrade essential equipment that will help the business to grow, launch a new product or service, launch a product or service into a new market, adopt a new-to-the-firm technology or process, or develop export capability.
  • UKSPF High Street Business Grant
This grant funding will help small businesses on the high streets in Beeston, Chilwell and Eastwood. Grants of up to £5,000 can help towards the cost of shop and business frontage improvements including signage, street scene or conservation area related initiatives, environmental energy saving measures, disability access improvements or digital, productivity and ecommerce investments that improve productivity or create jobs. Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Asset Management, Councillor Milan Radulovic MBE said: “It’s great to be able to offer three more grants to our Broxtowe businesses through the UKSPF funding. “Here at Broxtowe we have high ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2027, and so we want to be able to help support local businesses to tackle climate change too. We’re also pleased to be able to offer a grant to Beeston, Chilwell and Eastwood to improve shop fronts as we continue to work on improving our town centres.” All three grant schemes are open from Monday 16 October until all of the money is allocated or closed on 15 December 2023.

Suite of support programmes unveiled for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland businesses

In a significant boost to the economic landscape of Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, Business Lincolnshire has unveiled a suite of fully funded support programmes. These initiatives, aimed at fostering growth and development across various sectors, reflect Business Lincolnshire’s dedication to supporting businesses from their inception to their growth stages, and then onto reaching their full potential. Among the standout programmes available are: Your Business Boost, designed specifically for Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure businesses. This fully funded initiative provides a comprehensive support package, including group sessions, masterclasses, and tailored expert sessions. For manufacturing businesses, the Made Smarter East Midlands Adoption Programme and Manufacturing Transformation Programme offer specialised support in digital transformation and business enhancement. Also available is the Start Up Academy, geared towards budding entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, offering vital workshops and mentoring sessions. Meanwhile, the Scale-Up programme promises to take established businesses to new heights through personalised leadership and management training. Additionally, Business Lincolnshire addresses the pressing need for environmental sustainability through the Low Carbon programme, equipping businesses with knowledge about Net Zero, Decarbonisation, Energy Management, and Supply Chains. Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council expressed his enthusiasm about these programmes. He said: “These easily accessible programmes are part of Business Lincolnshire’s commitment to empowering local businesses. “Not only do they provide expert guidance, mentorship, and funding opportunities, but also serve as educational and networking platforms. They help businesses to adapt, innovate, and flourish in an ever-changing market. As a region, we are investing in our businesses, enabling them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our local economy.” In addition to the suite of new programmes, there is a full calendar of upcoming events. The next event in the series is an AI and Marketing Masterclass, which will be delivered online on November 2nd, catering to both experienced and novice marketers and AI enthusiasts keen on advancing their businesses. Additionally, the Going Global Conference, scheduled for November 27th at Lincoln Bomber Command Centre, offers an opportunity to explore international business opportunities with optional facility tours and a fantastic line up of key speakers from within the region.

Young people to learn entrepreneurial skills with new Chesterfield programme

Young people in Chesterfield are being invited to take part in a new programme designed to develop their entrepreneurial skills and confidence to help them kickstart their career. After successfully receiving £6,000 in funding through Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund, Young Enterprise – the national financial and enterprise education charity – is teaming up with Springwell Community College and Netherthorpe School, inviting pupils to take part in its Company Programme. The Company Programme aims to empower young people aged between 13 and 19 to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a volunteer from a local business. Students will be responsible for making all the decisions about their business, including deciding on the company name, managing the company finances and selling to the public. Participants gain practical business experience and key skills. Volunteers from local businesses are also being urged to get involved as mentors and provide the students with practical advice and guidance. As part of the annual programme of activities, Young Enterprise will also be running a launch and pitch event, where the young people will be able to pitch their business ideas to businesses in the area. Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Brough Council, said: “We’re really pleased that our Community Grants Fund scheme can fund initiatives such as the Company Programme. When we first launched the scheme, we wanted to make sure that funding could be used to help people prepare to get in to work, and this project does just that. “Our Skills Action Plan, which we unveiled earlier this year, is all about providing people not only with education, but also the experience of putting those skills into practice. “Young Enterprise is giving young people the opportunity to improve their work readiness and work experience. It will help them to develop practical business experience and key skills including finance management and public speaking. “We’re investing in Staveley through our Town Deal and I know many of the board members are keen to support this project and support young people to learn more about starting their own businesses. I am really looking forward to watching this project develop and seeing young people thrive.” Ian Wingfield, headteacher at Springwell Community College, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project and I know our students are excited to get started. This is a great opportunity for them to develop a range of valuable skills at the same time as connecting further with their community.” Sharon Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Young Enterprise, said: “We are delighted that Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting Springwell Community College and Netherthorpe School to launch Company Programme to their students. “Company Programme provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people to the realities of the world of work. Previous participants have come up with innovative ideas for their companies, often with a strong socially-conscious theme, which have real potential to become businesses of the future. “We are excited to see what the young people taking part in Chesterfield achieve and wish them the best of luck for their Company Programme journey.” Helen McVicar, headteacher at Netherthorpe School, says that the project will enable pupils to develop real-life skills. She said: “The Young Enterprise Scheme is a fantastic initiative, and we are delighted to be involved. “We pride ourselves on being connected with our community and this project will help us to further strengthen those ties whilst also testing the entrepreneurial skills of our young people, and developing important real-life skills.”