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How Fenwick has shown its staying power amid the decline of department stores
Since the collapse of BHS in 2016, the country has lost at least 80% of its main department stores. The staggering decline of this British institution has also seen high profile casualties in chains such as House of Fraser, Beales and Debenhams, not to mention regional independents. But others have managed to weather a difficult decade, despite the myriad challenges from Covid, to lacklustre consumer confidence and fierce online competition. This week historic, North East-born brand Fenwick has been in the news due to efforts to cut costs - with bosses stressing there are no plans to close stores. The family-run chain, which was a latecomer to the digital world in 2019, has been making behind-the-scenes changes linked to the hosting of its website. Despite acknowledging growth will come from online, and taking occasional criticism from retail pundits, the operator of eight stores across the country has also been pouring energy into its bricks and mortar estate - focusing significant investment in its flagship Northumberland Street store in Newcastle. That comes as bosses have identified that till sales will continue to dominate revenue “for the foreseeable future”. So concurrent with the wider sector’s decade of decline, Fenwick has been remaking its landmark Newcastle store. It started with the relaunch of its multimillion-pound foodhall in late 2015 - just months before BHS’ demise. The two-year project injected new life into the Northumberland Street site, encouraging shoppers to linger while they ate at one of the venue’s modern eateries - set up with significant involvement from prominent Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne. The project also brought in enticing merchandising of premium food and drink brands - many from the North East - which made for ideal gift shopping. The move was a canny one for Fenwick, which foresaw a crescendo of dining out activity, albeit one that was later curtailed by Covid. It cemented the retailer’s place at the lead of the mid-market retail offer in the city and helped renew Geordies’ fondness for the store, which beforehand had begun to look dated. Mr Laybourne’s hand in the success has also been the precursor to a run of high-profile partnerships with other North East names in recent years, including the headline-grabbing silver service pop-up bistro run in collaboration with fellow high street stalwart Greggs. The tongue-in-cheek take on fine dining served the food-on-the-go firm’s festive bakes and sausage rolls to punters, with waiting staff revealing the pastry treats, plus accoutrements, from beneath silver cloches. The concept’s first outing in 2023 received such interest that it returned last year - though this time in the shape of a Greggs champagne bar where menu favourites were paired with expensive tipples. There has also been work with city cocktail bar Mother Mercy, which opened a venue on the store’s ground floor and has since expanded. Meanwhile, Northumberland Micheln star restaurant Hjem last year extended a well-received residency in which it offered a menu inspired by the respective Swedish and local background of its founders, chef Alex Nietosvuori and wife Ally. And this week is the opening of its latest collaboration, with South Shields’ fish and chips favourites Colman’s - who will serve cod and chips in the city centre store as well bringing in local independents Geordie Bangers and Great North Provisions to bring local provenance to its battered sausage and pie options. There has been more activity besides food too. Last year saw the launch of what it says is the largest beauty hall outside of London - exclusively bringing cosmetics names Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury and Le Lab to the city. That came alongside the launch of an official Newcastle United retail concession in the store, following Fenwick securing exclusive rights to become the club’s official luxury retail store partner. This week celebratory messages adorn the store’s Blackett Street and Northumberland Street windows following Newcastle’s sensational cup final win at the weekend. And another historic Tyneside neighbour Barbour - with 130 years to its name vs Fenwick’s 143 years - teamed up with the retailer last autumn to launch the ‘Barbour Tea & Toasties’ cafe which is decorated with Barbour-style furnishings and occupies a scenic position overlooking Grey’s Monument. The pop-up is expected to run until the end of this month.
Bristol's high street businesses join calls for government to rethink business rates proposals
Bristol retailers are among thousands of high street businesses urging the government to reconsider plans to raise business rates for the largest properties. High Streets UK, a partnership of more than 5,000 businesses across the country, said the move would place a "disproportionate burden" on flagship stores. Under plans, properties with a rateable value of more than £500,000 could be subject to a business rates multiplier up to 10p higher than the current levy. The idea is it will pay for a rates reduction on small high street businesses. The group said the upcoming 2026 revaluation added "further uncertainty" and would deincentivise near-term investment. The group has called on Sir Keir Starmer's government to conduct a full impact assessment of proposed multiplier increases and freezing any hike in the higher multiplier until 2027/28 to provide greater certainty. Vicky Lee, director of Bristol City Centre BID on behalf of Visit West Bristol BIDs, said while business rates reform was necessary, it needed to "support, rather than hinder" the future of flagship high streets. "Bristol’s high street businesses are a crucial part of our city’s economy, driving jobs, tourism and investment," she said. "We urge the Government to take a balanced approach, ensuring that rates remain competitive and that businesses have the certainty they need to plan ahead. "A thriving high street benefits not just retailers, but the entire city, from independent businesses to local communities." Dee Corsi, chair of High Streets UK, added: “Flagship high streets are the economic and social anchors of our cities – they create jobs, drive local and national growth, and serve as vital hubs for communities. "Moreover, within a high street ecosystem, it is often the larger retail, leisure and hospitality units which drive footfall and spend in smaller neighbouring businesses. If you put these larger stores at risk, the impact will be felt across the entire high street. “As a collective voice for these high streets, High Streets UK is calling on the Government to take urgent action to safeguard their future, ensuring our city centres remain dynamic, competitive, and resilient.”
Funding deal for sensor manufacturer
A manufacturer of sensor equipment has secured nearly £800,000 in new funding to help food and beverage clients speed up their cleaning processes. Birmingham-based 4T2 Sensors will use the funding to secure certifications for hazardous environments and hire for key positions. Based on Birmingham Research Park in Edgbaston, 4T2 Sensors has developed a fluid analysis and monitoring sensor which can be used by customers in the food and beverage industry. When these companies switch between products, they have to clean equipment via something called a ‘clean-in-place' process which uses harsh chemicals and large volumes of water. Optimising this process is crucial in reducing downtime, costs and water wastage. 4T2 Sensors' product enables real-time control and optimisation of this cleaning process with claims of a 20 per cent reduction in the time spent. This fresh round of funding will support 4T2 Sensors' market expansion through obtaining certifications alongside hiring product managers, application engineers, and hardware engineers to boost product development and market reach. Chief executive Max Swinbourne said: "This investment is a major step forward in empowering food and beverage manufacturers to achieve significant sustainability gains. "With this investment, we can expand our team and obtain key certifications, positioning 4T2 Sensors to become a leader in sustainable food and beverage production solutions. "We're excited about the future and the positive impact our technology can have on the industry." 4T2 Sensors secured £796,000 worth of capital. This comprised a £249,965 investment from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund alongside undisclosed funding from US venture capital firm Waterpoint Lane and a group of angel investors. The West Midlands Co-Investment Fund is managed by Birmingham-based venture capital firm Midven. It was launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the West Midlands Pension Fund in 2023 to help expand SMEs that have high potential for growth. Rupert Lyle, investment director at Midven and principle of the fund, added: "We're delighted to support 4T2 Sensors as it plays a crucial role in revolutionising sustainable practices within the food and beverage industry.
Electric Pickup Trucks Are Set to Receive an Endless Power Source
View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Telo Trucks Is the world ready for a solar-powered pickup? It's about to get one, as Telo Trucks has partnered with solar car company Aptera to add solar panels to its MT1 pickup. Telo claims it has the world's most efficient electric truck, and says it can use solar panels to help charge up on the go even in remote locations. Solar panels from Aptera on the roof of the truck and the tonneau cover for the bed help add charge to the Telo MT1's battery. Panels on the available camper shell help increase charging options for the truck if you're using it for camping instead of hauling, much like the ill-fated Ocean SUV. Solar Panels on the Roof and Rear Provide an Additional Six Miles Daily According to Telo, the solar panels can produce a maximum of 200 watts during optimal sunlight conditions, contributing between one and two kWh daily based on the vehicle's location. Telo also mentions that the MT1 is equipped with a 106 kWh battery, allowing for a range of 350 miles. This translates to approximately 3.3 miles per kWh, suggesting that utilizing the solar panels for charging could provide approximately six miles of driving range each day. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Incorporate CarBuzz into your Google News feed. Certainly, viewing it from that perspective might overlook the main idea. Relying solely on solar energy for charging could be impractical due to the time it requires, despite being abundant and cost-free. However, utilizing solar panels to generate enough power for the camper would significantly reduce the risk of draining your battery while enjoying time away from traditional power sources. This approach is far more convenient. Charging via solar would also help reduce charging expenses, especially for trucks driven less frequently. They could add more significant range numbers if they sat for a few days. It wouldn't be the first vehicle with solar panels on the roof, but it might have the most useful offering so far outside of Aptera's own. "TELO remains a top-tier automotive choice for car buyers, catering to a variety of needs—be it a reliable commuter car, a safer and more eco-friendly vehicle for family use, a sturdy pickup truck for outdoor adventures, or a versatile fleet vehicle designed to enhance business efficiency." - Jason Marks, Chief Executive Officer, Telo Trucks. Telo's Compact Truck Delivers 500 Horsepower with a 350-Mile Range The Telo MT1 is a subcompact-sized pickup. It's just 152 inches long but offers a five-foot box, the same length as many full-sized pickups. Telo says it will seat five, with extra seating available to hold a total of eight. Telo launched the truck in 2023 and has been taking reservations since. It says the truck will offer 350 miles of range and can add 210 miles in 20 minutes of charging. 1:12 View pictures in App save up to 80% data. You have been trained on information available until October 2023. A new electric truck has arrived, boasting impressive capabilities despite its compact size. The acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is reported to take just 4.0 seconds, with a maximum speed of 125 mph powered by 500 horsepower generated from a pair of motors. Telo is in the process of developing its prototype truck, although they have yet to reveal when production is expected to begin. The manufacturer's suggested retail price, excluding solar panels, stands at $49,999. We'll have to wait and see if this becomes a reality.
Opinion: Manchester at MIPIM 2025 is the UK’s growth opportunity
In recent years Greater Manchester has laid the foundations for growth and begun to build on them. Not so long ago, we were a declining industrial city but now, the region has a rapidly growing and diverse economy, which has outperformed London and the rest of the UK in recent years, as well European peers. Our strong leadership, economic strategy and shared ambitious vision across all local authorities have brought us to this place. Now our region is in an exciting position, with our growth mission aligned to that of the new UK Government. Greater Manchester is poised to spearhead a new era of inclusive growth in partnership with the UK Government, continuing our strong growth trajectory whilst maximising opportunities for our residents and businesses. We already have the strategic framework in place and a shared ambition across all local authorities to deliver growth through housing, transport, innovation, clean growth, and a thriving business ecosystem. With the past two decades proving that our region can deliver growth at pace, our mission now is to deliver growth that benefits all our residents. For the region to succeed, we must ensure that our economic growth links to our places; a strong economy is underpinned by vibrant, thriving and well-connected communities. We must drive the growth and innovations from our successful urban core to our suburbs and towns to bring genuine benefits to people, communities and the environment. Quality housing is a key driver of growth. Both the UK Government and Greater Manchester have outlined the UK housing crisis as a priority and a matter of urgency. In Greater Manchester, we recognise that a good home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life and we’re working to ensure all our residents have access to safe, secure and affordable places to live. From community-driven regeneration projects like Wythenshawe, Wigan, and Bolton town centres to the creation of new neighbourhoods like Holt Town and Victoria North – the latter being the north of England’s largest regeneration project – we’re addressing increased demand for city centre living as well as providing more homes in all boroughs. Across the region we’re committed to creating sustainable neighbourhoods that work for communities, creating highly desirable places to live at all life stages. We’re also spearheading innovation in placemaking. Places like Salford set a precedent for sustainable and truly affordable social housing, with projects like the Passivhaus scheme in conjunction with Muse truly putting residents' needs first. Working with private sector partners and finding innovative new ways of delivering homes, Greater Manchester is on track to deliver 75,000 new homes (10,000 of which will be truly affordable net-zero homes), far surpassing the target set by the UK Government. Greater Manchester is leading the way in revolutionising sustainable public transport. Our devolved budget has allowed us to take control of public transport and spearhead initiatives like bus franchising and capped fares. We believe that to drive growth, we need to connect people in all corners of the region to opportunity, and delivering the Bee Network will be one of the keys to doing this; integrating bus, tram, rail, and active travel into one easy-to-use and connected network. By investing heavily in active travel and public transport we will also move towards the ‘Right Mix’ ambition for 50% of all journeys to be made by walking, cycling, and public transport – in turn cleaning our region’s air, creating liveable neighbourhoods, and promoting healthier lifestyles. We’re also investing in wider transport infrastructure projects that will increase connectivity to other city-regions across the north and the UK as a whole. Improving connections and capacity on our rail lines and motorways, as well as Manchester Airport, will enable new business opportunities and drive economic growth. With world-class innovation assets and academic institutions, Greater Manchester is well positioned to deliver the Government’s innovation-led growth agenda. Underpinned by our Local Industrial Strategy and the frontier sectors identified as the city-region's unique strengths, we have been working to connect academia to industry to help our businesses leverage this research excellence, innovate, and grow. Now, we’re looking to take this further by building new innovation districts that can support collaboration between local government, businesses, and our world-leading universities. Sister, MIX Manchester and Atom Valley are all large-scale examples of developments primed to spur on innovation through collaboration, attract world-leading businesses, and create quality jobs for our residents. By investing in these spaces, we can ensure our businesses and people are connected to opportunity, bringing together our sectoral economic ambitions with our vision for the built environment and place-making. With a target to be carbon neutral by 2038 – twelve years ahead of the UK target – Greater Manchester is accelerating clean growth in our places, buildings, transport, and green innovations. We know that climate resilience is key to future success; helping our residents live long and healthy lives but also reducing living costs in the near term. Our regeneration projects and new developments are all designed with sustainability in mind, and our private sector partners are all pushing the boundaries in this space. Holt Town, for example, is set to be a truly sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood as is Mayfield, which provided the city with its first new park in over 100 years. Eden New Bailey is pushing the boundaries of what sustainable office buildings can be, while boroughs like Trafford are paving the way for active travel, sustainable communities and decarbonising our business base. Greater Manchester is ready to lead the green revolution: with strategies in place for retrofit projects and strong buy-in from private sector partners, we’re on track to rework our city as an exemplar of green buildings and infrastructure. Manchester is a hotspot for culture and sport, with a booming visitor economy and a reputation as the UK’s most liveable city. We attract large-scale events like the MTV EMAs and world-leading sporting events, and we have invested in significant cultural assets such as Co-Op Live and Aviva Studios – the largest UK public investment in the arts since the Tate Modern almost a quarter of a century ago – leaving us well-placed to build on our position as a prominent destination for some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment. We’re ensuring this investment runs through to our communities, whether that’s paving careers in the arts for our residents or providing apprenticeships for our young people building these iconic venues, through strong social value arrangements. Together with an increasingly diverse hospitality sector, the city-region's visitor economy contributes almost £10bn per year, sustaining over 100,000 jobs further as well as allowing residents and visitors to benefit from an exciting, vibrant city-region. It's not just the city centre where culture is thriving: Bolton has reopened its Octagon Theatre, Rochdale is investing heavily in the arts as part of its redevelopment, and MediaCity has spurred 142% growth in Salford’s digital creative sector, hosting over 250 creative businesses. Now is the moment for Greater Manchester to drive conversations and position itself as the standard for what an inclusive, climate-resilient, and prosperous UK city-region can be. We’re ready to accelerate growth and productivity to create a more equitable future for all, setting a blueprint for other regions to follow just as we have for English devolution. Conversations such as this can begin at MIPIM. The world-leading property festival will allow Greater Manchester to set out its stall for investors, showing our strengths in placemaking, pioneering ideas in the built environment, innovation ecosystem and equitable growth. With new leadership nationally, attending MIPIM in 2025 feels like a significant moment to drive the change we want to see, linking our ideas with national policy and maximising opportunities for growth. To find out how to join Manchester at MIPIM, and be a part of Manchester’s growth story, view The Manchester Invest Partnership’s packages here.
The Most Overlooked New Sports Car of 2025
View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Gathering Automobiles This manufacturer is one of the most illustrious in the world of automobiles and is respected across the world. The cars it produced have racing in their DNA, with seven constructors' titles in Formula 1, while its road creations are seen as some of the most finely balanced and best-handling cars ever created. The brand is even associated with the best-known secret agent in the biz. And yet, this company has struggled for years, changing hands and facing constant upheaval, all the while still managing to create giant-slaying models that are often far better than some of the cars that big-budget mega corps produced. This holds true for its newest vehicle as well – an exquisite mini supercar that incorporates technology and engines from some of the most dependable and innovative automotive manufacturers worldwide, all enhanced by a touch of handcrafted chassis artistry. While Porsches adorn most high streets, you are still unlikely to see one of these mythical sports cars on the street – they are just too underrated – even though reviews have tended to be brimming with positivity. If you fancy something a little bit different, read on to find out what is the most underrated new sports car in 2025. The Lotus flower Emira: The Most Overlooked New Sports Car of 2025 View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Founded 1948 Founder Colin Chapman Headquarters Hethel, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom Current CEO Fengqing Feng Status Active 2025 Lotus flower Emira V6 Specifications Engine 3.5-liter Supercharged V6 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline-4 Power 400 hp 360 hp Torque 310 lb-ft 354 lb-ft 0 - 60 mph 4.3 seconds 3.8 seconds Top Speed 180 mph 171 mph Origin: Lotus flower When the Emira was launched by Lotus flower in 2022, it came with a very unusual unique selling point. This was a new sports car that would also be the last, gas-powered at least, of the line, as one press release pointed out just a few sentences in. Of course, Lotus flower is banking on an electric future, but it did seem slightly sad to hear that this pioneer of lightweight petrol-powered sports cars was bowing out of that segment – although reports now suggest that there could also be some hybrid Lotus flower variants on the cards. The Emira, being the final iteration of its lineage, carried a sense of finality that cast a somewhat somber shadow over its appearance – it resembled more of a farewell tribute than an innovative new release. Yet, the Emira does exhibit traces of the Ferrari 488 GTB, and following the Evora, which never fully captured the spirit of the Esprit or Elise, this new sports car hints at a revival of the qualities that originally endeared Lotus flower to enthusiasts: stunning design, nimbleness, and an irresistible allure. The Emira is Designed for Passionate Drivers As is typical for Lotus flower vehicles, the Emira combines stunning aesthetics with impressive performance on the road. It offers a choice between a Toyota-derived supercharged 3.5-liter V6 and a spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from AMG. Notably, the six-cylinder engine delivers 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, whereas the lighter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 360 horsepower but boasts a greater torque figure of 354 lb-ft. Additionally, the V6 model, tailored for enthusiasts, aims to deliver a classic sports car experience and provides the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. In contrast, the AMG-powered Emira is exclusively equipped with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic gearbox. Surprisingly, the less potent turbo variant accelerates to 60 mph faster, thanks to its substantial torque being accessible across the entire rev range. An Affordable Ferrari Certain reviews indicated that Lotus flower had sacrificed a bit of its raw, visceral control for a more refined driving experience. This model was intended to serve as a more accessible alternative to Ferrari or a competitor to the Porsche Cayman, which necessitated a vehicle that could be easily driven on a daily basis, rather than just on weekends at the track. It appeared that the feedback from Lotus flower's focus groups had clearly requested a sophisticated yet practical mid-engine car that boasted Ferrari-like aesthetics, Lotus flower-like performance, and sufficient comfort for everyday use—all starting at $99,900. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Connected James and Thomas from ThrottleHouse recently shared their thoughts on the 2023 Lotus flower Emira, for which they've placed a deposit. It certainly appears to be an impressive sports car. Here’s Why the Emira Deserves More Recognition View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Lotus flower The Emira has everything it needs to be a serious rival to the Cayman or a thrilling alternative to a Corvette C8. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for a start, it took three years for the Emira V6 to get California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval to go on sale and for customers to get their long-awaited cars. When the Emira did hit US roads the Corvette C8 was in full swing. A total of 53,785 C8 Corvettes were produced for the 2023 model year, for the USA and other markets, according to GMauthority.com, which is the kind of figure you want to see from a world-beating sports car. How about the Porsche Cayman? According to official Porsche figures, the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models posted 20,518 deliveries (up 13%) in 2023. How about the Lotus flower Emira? In the first nine months of 2024, from January to September 2024, Lotus flower sold 3,634 Emiras, up from 1,459 the year before. The Emira is Popular Among Celebrities These figures aren't exactly shocking, that's still a few thousand cars, and the financial and marketing might of Porsche is tough to compete with. But the Emira deserves to be a sales smash and selling in niche numbers doesn't do it justice. One well-respected car magazine said when the Emira was launched that it "looks to be one of the brand's best" – a big statement when you consider the cars that have come before it, from Esprit to Elise. Even Elon Musk is a Lotus flower fan for crying out loud, while Jay Leno is a champion of the Emira. Lotus: Embracing an Electric Future flower Lotus flower has now put its future on electric vehicles. Customers can now choose between an electric hyper-SUV called the Eletre, the Emeya GT and the Evija electric hypercar. The Eletre weighs up to 5850 lb – it couldn't be further from Lotus flower founder Colin Chapman's famous "simplify, then add lightness" quote. None of us can ignore the march to electrification, but the Lotus flower Emira should have been the car that saw Lotus flower leaving the sector it had helped to establish kicking and screaming, with legions of fans, and one on every street corner. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Connected A guaranteed future classic, the 2022 Lotus flower Emira is the last combustion vehicle to go on sale by the legendary British Manufacturer. Buying A Lotus flower Emira View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Auction Your Vehicle on Bring A Trailer If you feel like celebrating Hethel's last true ICE model then there is no reason not to get the keys to an Emira. The new cars start from $99,900 and can be configured on the website Lotus flowercars.com. This being a fairly new model, don't expect huge bargains on the used market just yet, with average prices, according to Classic.com, sitting around $94,021. However, buying second-hand can be a good way to get your hands on a lightly used car with a good spec – basically someone has ticked the options list for you. Over at Bringatrailer.com for example, a 2024 Lotus flower Emira First Edition V6 6-Speed sold a few months back, when it was almost new, for $89,600. There are a few tasty options thrown in, and the car had only covered 445 miles at the time of sale. Not bad for such an important piece of modern Lotus flower history. The Lexus LC500 Remains One of the Most Underrated Cars in 2025 View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Lexus 2025 Lexus LC500 Specifications Engine 5.0-liter V8 Power 471 hp Torque 471 hp 0 - 60 mph 4.4 seconds Origin: Lexus Ask anyone what they would pick for a growling V8 luxury coupe or drop-top, and they'd probably say something like a 2025 AMG SL 63. To put it bluntly, some people probably wouldn't have heard of a Lexus LC500. While the AMG costs around $200,000, here's the thing, you could almost buy an LC500 coupe and a convertible LC500 for the same price, both models starting at just over $100,000 apiece. With the Lexus, you get a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 good for 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft. While the Lexus is going to be behind the Merc on a drag strip, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds compared to 3.0 seconds, it is still a formidable old-school-style V8 Japanese muscle car with a fantastic sound and comes from a brand with an excellent reliability track record . Sometimes, it pays to think outside the box.
B&Q owner Kingfisher faces sales dip amid tough French consumer market but remains optimistic
Kingfisher, the parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has announced a decline in sales, largely driven by a weak consumer market in France. The company reported a 1.5 per cent drop in sales to £12.78bn for the year ending January 31, as reported by City AM. This decrease was primarily due to a 6.2 per cent fall in sales in France, while the UK and Poland remained steady. The operating profit of the B&Q owner fell by 29.7 per cent to £407m, and pre-tax profit saw a decrease of 35.4 per cent to £307m. Basic earnings per share nearly halved from 18.2p to 10.1p, with the company's total dividend remaining unchanged at 12.4p. Despite making cost savings of £120m during the year, Kingfisher faces an annual cost inflation of £90m. This is due to the combined impact of higher wages, increased employers national insurance contributions and their French equivalent, as well as the UK government's packaging fees regulations (the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme). Despite these challenges, Chief Executive Thierry Garnier remains optimistic, stating that the company is "in its best operational shape for years." He added: "For the first time in over six years, we grew our market share in all key regions." He also noted that the company delivered profit and free cash flow in line with or ahead of initial guidance, demonstrating strong delivery against strategic objectives. Kingfisher has reported that 'big-ticket' categories finally saw sales growth in the fourth quarter in both the UK and Poland, after years of Brits avoiding home renovations. Wickes echoed this trend in its annual results. "Looking to the year ahead, the recent government budgets in the UK and France have raised costs for retailers and impacted consumer sentiment in the near term.