One Stop has announced its 2024 Christmas campaign, giving customers a chance to win weekly prizes including a high-end tech bundle.
From Monday (4 November) until 31 December, customers can not only take part in One Stop’s Scratch to Win weekly advent online game, but also take advantage of the convenience retailer’s weekly deals.
One Stop’s Scratch to Win game will see prizes such as chocolate hampers, £100 Love to Shop vouchers, a Bose speaker, pizza ovens, alcohol hampers, a Merlin Gold pass and more, up for grabs.
All customers have to do is visit the One Stop website, where they will be directed to the Scratch to Win game page. They’ll simply need to use the coin to scratch off the week’s window and input their details to be entered into the prize draw! Customers can try their luck every Wednesday for the next nine weeks. Behind the window each week, customers will also be able to see the retailer’s must-have deal.
Customers can also try their hands at various festive feel-good recipes, read a variety blogs and learn about the retailer’s latest community highlights on One Stop’s website – bringing Christmas at One Stop altogether in one place.
One Stop added that it will be stocking all the Christmas sweet treats and dinner trimmings the customers will need. From pigs in blankets, carrots, sprouts, cabbage to parsnips, customers can get everything they need at their local One Stop store this festive season.
The convenience retailer has even put a festive touch on their lunchtime meal deal, with Christmas favourites including chicken, stuffing and cranberry sub and wrap.
Alongside the competition One Stop have some attractive weekly deals available throughout Christmas, from festive favourites including: Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Quality Street, Walkers, Hardys, Pringles, Strongbow, McVities, Cadbury, Madri, Celebrations and Coca-Cola.
Just when Britain seemed to be moving beyond its inflation problem, the new government's spending splurge and the risk of a global trade war triggered by US president-elect Donald Trump's tariff plan are threatening to extend it.
British inflation peaked above 11 per cent two years ago after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the highest among the world's big rich economies. It then took longer to fall than in many other countries, in part because of a shortage of workers following Britain's exit from the European Union.
No one expects another double-digit price leap. But the Bank of England raised its inflation forecasts for the next three years after the Oct. 30 budget, which increased taxes on employers, threatening to push up prices and wages .
Trump's election win then prompted investors to cut further their bets on BoE interest rate reductions next year.
That could pose an additional challenge to prime minister Keir Starmer's promise to voters in July's election that he will turn Britain into the fastest-growing Group of Seven economy.
"We think the UK budget and Mr. Trump's election will boost UK inflation and rates," consultancy Pantheon Macroeconomics told clients in a note on Thursday.
The hefty public spending increases in the budget and their expected short-term boost to growth initially prompted investors to price in three BoE rate cuts by the end of 2025, down from four previously.
As Trump announced hard-line nominations for top jobs in his administration, those bets this week dwindled to just two cuts by the end of 2025, compared with five expected from the European Central Bank for the struggling euro zone.
Under one scenario, inflation in Britain and beyond could be softened if China's exports to the US are hammered by Trump's tariffs, lowering their price in other markets.
But if Britain and other countries are hit by tariffs too and retaliate, the damage to global supply chains could mean slower growth and faster-than-expected inflation.
Rob Wood, chief UK economist at Pantheon, said the BoE, like other central banks, was only just getting inflation under control and would not be able to dismiss the impact of trade tariffs as a one-off, given still strong growth in wages.
"They can't risk saying this is a transitory shock and we're going to look through it. It means slower cuts to interest rates than there would have been," he said.
Wood expects UK inflation to rise to 3 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, above the BoE's forecast of 2.8 per cent.
Many economists are expecting the BoE to cut rates by more than is being priced by investors at the moment.
But Ahmet Kaya, at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a think tank, said his forecast for four quarter-point cuts to rates between now and the end of 2025 faced a significant risk from higher tariffs which could cause the BoE to "turn into a hawkish stance".
Britain's headline inflation rate has fallen sharply in recent months and dropped below the BoE's 2 per cent target for the first time since 2021 in September when it eased to 1.7 per cent.
But BoE officials say they are not declaring victory as underlying pressures are still strong.
The central bank has so far cut rates by half a percentage point from their 16-year high of 5.25%, a more cautious approach than in the euro zone and the United States.
BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill said on Tuesday that Britain appeared to be lagging other countries in its recovery from the pandemic and energy price shocks.
Brexit and the loss of many workers who dropped out of labour market during the pandemic have kept wage growth too strong for the BoE's liking.
Another BoE rate-setter, Catherine Mann, warned on Thursday that "political developments across the Atlantic" could hurt output and inflation in the UK and "global shocks and spillovers therefore should not be underestimated".
Pill and Mann are among the most hawkish of the BoE's top officials. But governor Andrew Bailey last week stressed rates are likely to fall only gradually, having spoken about the possibility of faster cuts in October.
In a speech on Thursday, Bailey made clear his concerns about protectionism.
"The picture is now clouded by the impact of geopolitical shocks and the broader fragmentation of the world economy," Bailey said. "Amidst the important need to be alert to threats to economic security, let's please remember the importance of openness."
Sir Tony Blair failed to put a brake on the Horizon rollout although the former prime minister had been warned the Post Office IT software was flawed, the inquiry heard on Wednesday (13).
In a witness statement, Lord Mandelson, who served as business secretary in Sir Tony’s cabinet, said the “integrity of the new system itself” was not “called into question” ahead of the 1999 rollout of the software. The Labour peer’s account comes 10 months after the public inquiry into the scandal was shown a note drafted by Geoff Mulgan, special adviser at Downing Street, and sent to the then prime minister in December 1988, which described the system as “increasingly flawed”.
Sir Tony jotted a handwritten note on the document itself, asking for a “clear view” on its reliability.
On Wednesday, the final hearing of the last phase of the Post Office inquiry took place and 80 additional witness statements were published – including Lord Mandelson’s. In his witness statement to the inquiry, the Labour peer wrote, “Concerning the integrity of the new system itself, this was not called into question.
“The external review’s findings were accepted both within my department and in No 10, albeit with some conditionality.”
He added: “The recommendation to confirm the Horizon system was made to the Prime Minister and the final decision was his. I do not remember No 10 putting a brake on the programme at any stage.”
By 1998 the Horizon project, which was launched under John Major’s government, had been running more than two years behind schedule. As a result, the project was referred to Sir Tony to decide if it should continue. In his own witness statement submitted to the inquiry, the former prime minister said he was unable to recall some details of the period.
However, he wrote: “I have learnt that it is crucial to obtain advice from experts with deep experience in the field who can provide the necessary assurance. As I have explained, I sought and obtained assurances as to the reliability of the product being developed.
“It is now clear that the Horizon product was seriously flawed, leading to tragic and completely unacceptable consequences, and I have deep sympathy with those affected.”
More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted as a result of the Horizon scandal, which saw the faulty software incorrectly record shortfalls on their accounts.
The Dougall Group has reaffirmed its commitment to providing top-quality products and service by renewing its supply contract with Nisa for an additional five years.
The renewed partnership ensures that four Dougall Group stores will continue to benefit from Nisa’s extensive product range, including exclusive access to Co-op own-brand items and flexible support designed to empower independent retailers to meet local customer needs.
The renewed contract solidifies a relationship that began in 2010 and has helped Dougall Group achieve significant growth and expand its retail portfolio across multiple locations.The latest addition to the Dougall Group store network is the Leamington Spa site, which opened in September and showcases the modern, community-focused shopping experience that both Dougall Group and Nisa strive to deliver.
The Leamington Spa store has already attracted a strong local following, thanks to its emphasis on convenience, fresh foods, and locally sourced products. A targeted marketing campaign is underway to introduce more customers to the new location, and early results have been positive, with both footfall and sales steadily increasing.
Ricky Dougall, Owner of The Dougall Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership, citing the ongoing alignment between Nisa’s services and Dougall’s growth strategy.“We’re very pleased to continue working with Nisa for another five years. Their support, from logistics to access to Co-op own-brand products, has been invaluable in helping us bring a unique, trusted shopping experience to our customers.“
The partnership allows us to remain independent and responsive to our local communities, which is essential to our vision. The positive reception at our new Leamington Spa store reaffirms that commitment.”Katie Secretan, Nisa’s Director of Sales & Retail, welcomed Dougall Group’s decision to extend their relationship with Nisa.
“We’re delighted to continue supporting Dougall Group and helping them grow and evolve. Ricky and his team share Nisa’s values of quality, community support, and flexibility, and it’s rewarding to see how our combined efforts have led to meaningful connections with customers.“
The success of the Leamington Spa store highlights what can be achieved when local retailers leverage Nisa’s product range and resources to create stores that truly resonate with their communities.”The renewed agreement not only reinforces a long-standing partnership but also sets the stage for Dougall Group’s continued growth and ability to adapt to changing customer demands with Nisa’s dedicated support.
Scottish Retail Consortium and trade union Usdaw have released a joint appeal to the public to be kind and considerate to all retail workers and fellow customers when doing their shopping this Christmas and play their part in creating a safe and enjoyable retail experience.
The plea comes as abuse and violence towards those in customer service continues to climb, with a recent Usdaw survey showing that in the last 12 months, 69 per cent of retail staff experienced verbal abuse, and 45 per cent have been threatened by a customer.
Retail is Scotland’s largest private sector employer with 230,000 Scots directly working in the industry. The festive period is a crucial trading period for many shops, with every purchase helping to support jobs in local retail and throughout the supply chain. Christmas is always an incredibly complex and challenging time of year for the retail industry. Everyone is working extra hard to keep shelves stocked, products delivered, and stores, delivery services, and eateries will naturally be a little busier.
Nonetheless, it is essential that all Scots play their part in creating a friendly and enjoyable environment for other customers and workers this Christmas, and the SRC and Usdaw are asking for patience, kindness and consideration during this busy time.
SRC and Usdaw will also be launching a new social media campaign to encourage shoppers to be considerate this Christmas. The joint initiative comes during Usdaw’s Respect for Shopworkers Week.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, said, "As the clock counts down to Christmas Day, retail stores and websites will become increasingly busy. People in retail are doing a brilliant job working hard to look after customers, helping them find what they need, keeping shelves stocked and delivering goods.
"While this time of year can be a little stressful, any mistreatment of store colleagues and delivery drivers will not be tolerated. Confrontations, be it verbal abuse or physical assault, can take a huge toll on victims, their families and their colleagues. When everyone shows a little Christmas kindness and courtesy – everyone will be better off. That way we can all enjoy shopping over the festive period and support local jobs and the vibrancy of our high streets and retail destinations.”
Tony Doonan, Scottish Regional Secretary, Usdaw, said, "People across retail work incredibly hard over the busy festive period to make sure everyone can get the gifts and items they are looking for and enjoy the brilliant shopping experiences that Scotland has to offer.
"They deserve to be treated with respect and kindness and there is no place whatsoever for any abuse or violence towards shopworkers. We urge customers to treat retail workers the way they would like to be treated, that way everyone can enjoy their shopping experience as we celebrate Christmas.”
Typhoo Tea, one of Britain’s oldest tea companies, is teetering on the edge of administration after enduring years of challenges, including a costly break-in at its Wirral factory.
According to court filings made on Thursday, Typhoo has filed a notice to appoint administrators. This move allows companies temporary protection from creditors while exploring options to address their debts.
The company is reportedly using the process to seek rescue solutions, with administrators from EY already lined up. However, filing the notice does not equate to Typhoo entering administration at this stage.
Dave McNulty, Typhoo's chief executive, commented: “This action has been taken to enable us to pursue a sale of the business. A further statement will be issued in due course with additional information.”
Founded in 1903 by Birmingham grocer John Sumner, Typhoo was once among the UK’s best-loved tea brands. However, in recent years, the company has struggled as Britons increasingly shift towards coffee, energy drinks, and novelty beverages like bubble tea.
According to Mintel, tea consumption in the UK has been steadily declining and is projected to drop by 8% between 2023 and 2028.
Typhoo’s revenues fell from £34 million in 2022 to £25 million in 2023, while losses surged from £9.7 million to £38 million in the same period, as per publicly available accounts.
The steep rise in losses partly stemmed from a break-in at the company’s mothballed Merseyside factory. The incident caused extensive damage to machinery and tea stock, delaying the factory’s sale, which was eventually completed in June 2024.
Typhoo’s future now hangs in the balance as it navigates a path to potential recovery or sale. Typhoo Tea revealed it had to absorb £24 million in exceptional costs during the 2023 financial year, largely due to damage caused by a break-in. Company executives admitted these costs had a "material" impact on its operations.
Adding to its challenges, Typhoo has faced mounting competition from a surge of "wellness" tea brands entering the market. Meanwhile, tea manufacturers have struggled with supply chain disruptions, including tea paper shortages and rising import costs following Brexit.
Private equity firm Zetland Capital has held the majority stake in Typhoo since 2021. By the end of September 2023, Typhoo’s debts had climbed to £73 million, up from £53 million the previous year.