Coffee in the news - discrimination, recycling and market trends
Starbucks is hitting the headlines today, with the announcement that they will close more than 8,000 company-owned branches in the US for an afternoon next month to carry out "racial bias"...
How BMWs are made
A sensational short video from Business Insider which visits a BMW plant in the USA that makes 1,400 vehicles a day. Over 500 robots and 450 employees work together to produce one SUV.
Yesterday, Brussels proposed a crackdown on powerful food buyers that force predatory terms on small suppliers. As reported on AgriLand, a news portal for Irish farming industry, the objective is...
The sugar tax and minimum pricing for alcohol: how are businesses affected by government policy?
This important aspect of External Influences comes into sharp focus this week, as the new Sugar Tax comes into force on April 6th, and Scotland introduces a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per...
A Level & GCSE Business Exam Board Market Shares for 2017
Here is our analysis of the DfE data which shows the number of candidates entered for A Level and GCSE Business in England in summer 2017 and the resulting exam board market share.
The Secret Leaders Podcast
Here is a terrific enrichment resource from Dan Murray and Rich Martell - two of the UK's most dynamic web entrepreneurs. Their podcast series has a growing collection of interviews with business...
Sears - The Slow Decline of a Retail Giant
Here is a superb video on the decline of a retail giant. Sears, once the largest retailer in the United States, is struggling to stay afloat.
Trade Wars
After the US imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium, it was inevitable that China would retaliate fast. They have introduced duties of up to 25% on 128 American imports worth $3bn...
Making motorway services pay
While it seems as if the wet Easter weather kept us away from the shops, plenty of people were on the road over the long weekend, and it's quite likely that the poor driving conditions will have...
Thorntons worries over Brexit delays and shortages
A fair sprinkling of business gold in here for Edexcel Paper 3 - the potential impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers on chocolate confectionery imported into the UK (5,000 truck loads each year...
Poorly pup inspires pet food business success story
This is superb - jam-packed (or should that be (blueberry and vegetable-packed) with core business concepts. Sources of finance; dealing with suppliers; niche v mass. It's got the lot - we'd be...
Good exam results are made in the Easter holidays
This is I feel a timely and well-judged blog on habits for effective revision during the Easter holidays.
The Biz Quiz - 19 March 2018
The last Biz Quiz before the Easter break is now live to attempt!
Nestlé's Gold Blend gambit
Consumer demand for premium coffee has grown strongly in recent years. How is Nescafe responding to changing market preferences for soluble coffee granules?
The Biz Quiz - 1 March 2018
A blizzard of great business stories feature in this week's Biz Quiz!
Bira 91 - An Indian brand aiming high in craft beer
Here is a tremendous case study article on the rapid expansion of Bira 91, an Indian craft beer manufacturer with big ambitions! Pick as many business concepts as you can out of this!
The Failure of ToysRUs
Stunning analysis and pure, 900 carat gold, for strategic drift - The BBC reports on the failure of Toys R Us
Ethical business doesn't guarantee success
A good example here of how operating an award-winning ethical business doesn't guarantee business success - particularly if your costs are too high, profit margins too low and consumer demand weakens.
The casual dining crunch
Fantastic article here analysing the reasons for the increasing number of business closures in the UK restaurant market. The importance of rent as a fixed cost which significantly increases the...