Sirius Bulletin - 4th April 2022

Sirius Bulletin - 4th April 2022

This bulletin provides a summary of topical news, announcements and policy developments affecting business across the UK.

 

Seasonal workers
Help needed for Ukrainian workers
Lawyers and campaigners have called on the Government to help thousands of Ukrainian seasonal farm workers who were in the UK when the war started and are at risk of destitution, abuse and exploitation. Ukrainians made up the largest proportion of workers in the UK on Seasonal Worker visas in 2021.
Read more about the concerns at: www.theguardian com/environment/2022/mar/28/scandal-in-plain-sight-charities-call-for-help-for-ukrainian-
seasonal-workers?

 

Retail
First virtual department store
Selfridges have announced the opening of a virtual department store as part of Metaverse Fashion Week. The shop is the first meta department store in the history of Web3.
Read more about the store at: www.chargedretail.co.uk/2022/03/28/selfridges-launches-world-first-metaverse-department-store/?

 

Deliveroo
WHSmith to offer rapid delivery
WHSmith has announced a partnership with delivery company Deliveroo. The partnership marks the next step in Deliveroo’s strategy to move away from its traditional food takeaway model.
Read more about the partnership at: www.chargedretail.co.uk/2022/03/29/whsmith-ties-up-with-deliveroo-to-offer-rapid-delivery/?

Musicians
Funding to help touring performers
Help Musicians has announced a £250,000 fund to help people continue to perform abroad after an increase in the complicated and costly procedures associated with touring since the UK left the European Union.
Read more about the fund at: www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/charity-brexit-europe-musicians-b991156.html?


Online retail
Marketplace for premium and start-up brands
Superdrug will launch a new marketplace in September 2022 for premium and start-up brands. The marketplace will help to remove listing barriers for innovators and promote diversity within the industry.
Read more about the marketplace at: www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/03/superdrug-to-launch-online-nnarketplace-for-premium-and-start-up-brands!?


Horticulture
Sector faces labour, costs and wage inflation crisis
The horticulture sector is warning of an impending crisis due to wage inflation within the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS), labour supply shortages and rapidly rising costs. From 6 April 2022, visas will only be granted to SWS workers who are paid a minimum £10.10 per hour, a 13.5% increase on last year’s National Living Wage (£8.91 per hour).
Read more about the pressures at: www.fwi.co.uk/business/business-nnanagennent/staff/horticulture-faces-labour-costs-and-wage-inflation-crisis


Computer games
Market achieves record growth
The UK consumer games market reached a record figure of £7.16 billion in 2021, growing by 1.9% from the previous record of £7 billion recorded in 2020. Game hardware sales grew by 17.4% year-on-year due to sales of PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. Spending in the game software market fell by 6.32% due to a lack of major releases.
Read more about the figures at: https://ukie.org.uk/consunner-games-market-valuation-2021


Amazon
Drone delivery plans
Amazon is hoping to deliver 500 million packages a year via its Prime Air drone delivery programme. Drones will be launched from around 145 drone launchpads, which Amazon intends to construct.
Read more about the plans at: www.businessinsider.conn/annazon-beta-test-drone-delivery-prime-air-california-texas-2022-3?r=US&IR=T


DISCLAIMER While all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that this information is accurate and up-to-date.