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Political, Economic and Social Factors - The war on cars

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Political, Economic and Social Factors - The war on cars

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Reeves considers ending salary sacrifice tax breaks for electric vehicles, sparking industry backlash

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves may scrap tax breaks for electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes, amid claims they favour the wealthy, raising concerns from car industry leaders.

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A really visionary in the business world

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A really visionary in the business world

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How Ratan Tata brought life to Jaguar Land Rover - Ratan Tata responded to market needs immediately

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Ratan Tata, who was the chairman of the Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 1999, faced 'humiliation' when he with his team went to sell the group's fledgling car business to Ford in 1999, but came back to 'do a big favour' just nine years later by taking over the US giant's marquee brands Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR).

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It was all smiles for the media, but behind the facade lay bitter acrimony. Sir George Harriman, chairman of British Motor Holdings, and Sir Donald Stokes, his counterpart at Leyland Motors, beamed as they announced the merger of the two automotive giants.

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The Body shop Collapse - should we have to pay?

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The Body shop Collapse - should we have to pay?

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Taxpayers to foot bill for The Body Shop staff redundancies - Retail Gazette

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Taxpayers are set to pay millions of pounds to sacked staff of The Body Shop as administrators manage a mass restructuring of the collapsed chain.

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Dearbail JordanBusiness reporter, BBC News

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The Body Shop: What went wrong for the trailblazing chain?

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As the UK business enters administration, we look at what has gone wrong for the chain.

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The British fashion label will close all of its remaining stores this week.

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The rise and rebirth of the shopping centre

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The rise and rebirth of the shopping centre

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The rise, fall and rebirth of the shopping centre

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The decline of bricks-and-mortar retail has been a catastrophe for malls. But landlords and local authorities are trying to ensure they have a future

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Selling pick 'n' mix, stationery and even garden tools: Wilko has styled itself as a budget UK homeware chain for more than 90 years.

With 400 stores across the UK, the chain is well-known for its affordable everyday items.

But in early August, the High Street stalwart collapsed into administration and put 12,500 jobs at risk.

Discount chain B&M said in September that it would take on up to 51 of Wilko's 400 stores in a deal worth £13m. And the owner of Poundland has agreed to take on the leases of 71 Wilko shops.

There had been hope that a further 300 stores could be rescued by the billionaire owner of HMV, Doug Putman. But the failure of his bid means the Wilko name will disappear from the High Street in the next few weeks.

The business was founded in 1930 when JK Wilkinson opened his first store in Leicester. It expanded across the Midlands initially and by the 1990s became one of Britain's fastest-growing retailers.

In 2012, Wilkinson began rebranding its stores as Wilko, and by 2014, most stores had emblazoned the new name on storefronts.

When we first heard the chain was struggling, we spoke to Wilko customers in stores and on social media.

James, a construction professional, remembered the first Wilko store in Leeds: "My dad loved it - a brilliant location at the Arndale Centre in Headingley. It sold such a wide range of things."

But Stephen from North Tyneside said it didn't have everything he wanted.

"We only go in for specific items. It's good for washing up powder. It's not what it was, I don't think," he said.

Woolworths gap

Wilko stepped into the High Street gap left by the collapse of Woolworths in late 2008, but has struggled over the past decade partly due to growing competition from the likes of Poundland and B&M.

Wilko's sales were larger than B&M's a decade ago, but recently its sales had also fallen below Poundland, Home Bargains and The Range.

Some analysts have pointed out that rivals seem to offer similar goods at lower prices - which made Wilko's business less appealing for potential suitors.

Shoppers had also noticed gaps on shelves after Wilko struggled to pay suppliers and at least one credit insurer withdrew trade cover, prompting some companies to pause deliveries.

Richard Lim, boss of the Retail Economics consultancy, said the level of investment needed to get the retailer back on its feet and regain the trust of their suppliers was "a significant stumbling point".

"While some of the stores have been acquired, the core business needs emergency surgery and the acquisition risks appear too high for most," he told the BBC.

Too many stores?

When Wilko fell into administration it had 408 stores across the UK, many of them in High Street locations in traditional town centres.

While these locations are convenient for shoppers without cars, since the pandemic there's been a shift to bigger retail parks and out-of-town options with more space.

"The purchase of 51 Wilko stores by B&M may have left the remainder of the estate less attractive for any purchaser," said Charles Allen, retail analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

"It seems likely that poor, or outdated locations, were one reason for Wilko's demise, so if some of the better ones were no longer available, a deal to rescue the remainder may have become more difficult."

Richard Lim said Wilko's focus on the High Street had not helped it keep up with its rivals.

"B&M and Home Bargains have really invested in their stores and since the lockdowns in the UK, customers are really after that shopping experience.

"Wilko also struggled to join up their online and in-store operations," he added.

Retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth said Wilko's problems were a result of bad decision-making by the owners.

"There were simply too many stores in the Wilko estate," she said.

"A cut to 250 stores would have been a sensible move by the owners of the business - tough decisions were needed but they simply weren't made.

"As the market became more competitive post-Covid and the shopper changed their shopping habits permanently, Wilko failed to act and this ultimately led to the position they are in today."

But nevertheless, many customers told the BBC they would be upset if their local Wilko closed.

"It's a bit like the old Woolworths," one said. "It would be a huge loss - not everyone likes online shopping."

Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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The beloved discount retailer was founded in 1930 but now all 400 stores are set to close within weeks.

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Debenhams: the rise and fall of a British retail institution

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Founded in 1778 as a high-end draper, the retail chain prospered for more than two centuries

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The pandemic pushed the retailer into liquidation, but its problems go back much further.

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[Sharing one of the case studies from my MBA days]

The evolution of home entertainment has been marked by dramatic shifts in technology and consumer behavior. One of the most striking examples of this transformation is the story of Blockbuster and Netflix. Once dominant players in the video rental industry, their contrasting fates offer valuable insights into the dynamics of business innovation, adaptability, and the impact of technology.

Blockbuster: The Pinnacle of Video Rental

Blockbuster Video, founded in 1985, was a giant in the video rental industry. By the 1990s, Blockbuster had established a vast network of physical stores, becoming a household name for movie rentals. The company capitalized on the growing popularity of VHS tapes and later DVDs, offering a convenient way for people to access movies at home.

Blockbuster's business model was built on physical rental locations where customers could browse and rent movies for a few days. The company also offered a membership system, late fee penalties, and a wide selection of titles. At its height, Blockbuster had over 9,000 stores worldwide and was a symbol of 90s pop culture.

Netflix: The Disruptive Innovator

In contrast, Netflix began in 1997 as a DVD rental-by-mail service. Founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, Netflix offered an alternative to the brick-and-mortar rental experience. The company's early success was driven by its innovative subscription model, which eliminated late fees and allowed customers to rent an unlimited number of DVDs for a flat monthly fee.

The pivotal moment for Netflix came with the decision to transition from physical rentals to streaming in 2007. The company recognized the potential of digital distribution and invested heavily in technology infrastructure to deliver movies and TV shows directly to consumers over the internet.

Blockbuster's decline can be attributed to several key factors:

Netflix's Success and Innovations

Netflix's success can be attributed to several strategic decisions:

2. Original Content Creation : Netflix's shift from content distributor to content creator, with the launch of Netflix Originals like House of Cards , set it apart from competitors. Original programming attracted subscribers and differentiated Netflix from other streaming services.

The story of Blockbuster and Netflix highlights the dramatic shifts in the entertainment industry and offers valuable lessons for businesses in any sector. While Blockbuster's decline illustrates the risks of failing to adapt, Netflix's rise demonstrates the power of innovation, customer-centric strategies, and technology in shaping the future of business. As technology continues to evolve, the ability to anticipate and respond to change will remain a critical factor in determining success.

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The Rise and Fall of Blockbuster and the Emergence of Netflix: Lessons Learned

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Sharing one of the case studies from my MBA days] Introduction The evolution of home entertainment has been marked by dramatic shifts in technology and consumer behavior. One of the most striking examples of this transformation is the story of Blockbuster and Netflix.

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The rise, fall and rise again of Nintendo

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The rise, fall and rise again of Nintendo

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The Nintendo Story: A Rise, a Fall, and a Resurgence

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Explore Nintendo story, from early dominance in playing cards to the rise and fall in gaming industry, followed by a remarkable resurgence.

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Timeline: European Super League’s rise and fall – in two and a half days

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It took a mere 56 hours from the news of the ESL first breaking to Manchester City becoming the first club to officially pull out

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Firms ‘pausing’ hiring and investing ahead of Budget

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A leading business group says firms are delaying decisions, wanting “more clarity” over the government’s policies.

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Types of payment

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A: Explore the features of different businesses and analyse what makes them successful

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Learning Aim A - Organisational Structure

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Learning Aim A - Organisational Structure

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Explore the features of different businesses and analyse what makeshift successful