Two trusted family businesses have united in Hampshire behind a shared commitment to back the farming and rural communities. Farm & Country Supplies in Alton is joining leading timber and agricultural supplier StowAg and will be celebrating the move with a special open day on Friday, December 13 that aims to bring the whole community together. Alton’s Farm & Country Supplies is now branded as a StowAg store. The same staff will be in store, supported by StowAg’s experts, but will now offer an even wider range of products and services for farming, fencing contractors, equine and rural customers. StowAg has been serving the agricultural and contractor community in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, and surrounding areas for more than 50 years and is now bringing its expertise to the South-East. Director of StowAg, Eddie Wheatcroft, says: “Both our businesses are family-run and have deep roots in the agricultural and rural communities. By coming together, we’ll be able to do even more to back British farming and support the countryside. “Farm & Country Supplies has been at the heart of the Hampshire rural community for years and this deal will only strengthen that position, enabling Ryan and his team to do even more to support their customers.” Founder of Farm & Country Supplies, Ryan James adds: “StowAg is a respected and trusted name in the agricultural world. “Our farming and rural communities are facing some of the most turbulent times in living memory and, by joining forces with StowAg, it means we will be better placed to help provide the product, services and expertise our customers need to navigate what lies ahead.” The celebration day at the store on Selborne Road takes place on Friday, December 13, from 10am to 7pm. The event is open to everyone and will feature free drinks and food, along with a range of special one-day-only offers from the vastly expanded product range. More than 30 leading industry suppliers will be attending the event to provide advice and support and will also have exclusive offers on their individual trade stalls. The new Alton StowAg store will feature all of its existing farming, equine and rural product range but will now also offer more than 15,000 new agricultural products from StowAg’s extensive catalogue – including fencing supplies, tools, livestock equipment, and clothing. A larger team of animal health experts will also now be on hand to offer free advice and on-farm visits. To learn more about the open day and get your free ticket, visit their website here To learn about StowAg and view the full product range, visit stowag.com

Sustainability is no longer a distant ideal for businesses—it’s a pressing priority and a transformative opportunity. In the face of environmental and economic challenges, a new report reveals how small businesses across the UK are embedding green practices into their operations. These businesses demonstrate how sustainability can drive innovation, strengthen communities, and ensure long-term success. Novuna Business Finance’s fourth report, Sustainability, Innovation, and Growth: Small Business Stories from Three Industry Sectors, highlights three exceptional companies that embody sustainability in action. These businesses put sustainability at the core of their operations, and despite the everyday challenges of running a business, they innovate, collaborate, and use traditional methods to achieve eco-friendly goals. The case studies in our report and available in full via ‘The Sustainable Business Podcast,’ demonstrate that sustainability is not just about values—it’s a strategy for lasting success. These real-life stories provide powerful examples of how businesses are reaping the benefits of green initiatives for future growth. Meet the businesses making a difference: Sustainable through innovation : Richard Morgan, founder of Electric Classic Cars, merges his lifelong passion for vintage vehicles with a commitment to sustainability. By converting classic cars into electric-powered models, the business is leading a movement to make automotive history greener. Whether it's a classic VW Beetle or a Ferrari, Electric Classic Cars is reshaping what it means to drive vintage, being both stylish and sustainable. Traditional craftsmanship with a sustainable twist : Adrian Geach, founder of Fresh Graphics, is bringing traditional signwriting into the 21st century with a focus on sustainability. With over five decades of experience, he combines classic hand-painted techniques with eco-friendly practices, using water-based paints and minimising waste. His work proves that traditional craftsmanship can thrive in a modern, environmentally conscious world. Cultivating sustainability : Dean Loury-Jenkins of Celtic Roots Farm is redefining sustainable agriculture with a focus on ethical practices, local food security, and environmental stewardship. By implementing innovative methods, such as using pigs for soil management and avoiding chemical fertilisers, the farm builds healthier soil and produces high-quality, local food. Despite financial hurdles, Celtic Roots Farm showcases how small-scale, sustainable farming can make a big difference in both the environment and the local community. Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance commented: “We are grateful to Dean, Richard, and Adrian for sharing their inspiring business stories with us. At Novuna Business Finance, we believe that the future of business lies in practices that benefit not only the bottom line but also the environment and the communities we serve. The businesses featured in this report are a testament to that belief, showing that sustainability is not just a passing trend but a genuine commitment that drives real, positive change." "It is truly inspiring to see the passion and creativity that small business owners bring to their sustainable practices—whether it’s through eco-friendly farming, innovative craftsmanship, or forward-thinking engineering." "These businesses are leading the way and proving that it is possible to thrive while prioritising the environment, people, and long-term growth. But they cannot do it alone. More support is needed to help these businesses overcome the challenges they face. With the right support, they can continue to lead the way towards a more sustainable future for us all." "By listening to and amplifying the voices of small businesses, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of the support they need to thrive. With the right resources, guidance, and backing, small businesses can continue to be the driving force behind innovation and sustainability.”

Made with woollen fabric from Hainsworth Signature Fabrics, a renowned British fabric manufacturer and woollen mill, Clarks Originals' new Wallabee Shoes highlight British craftsmanship. Hainsworth Signature Fabrics manufactures the fabric from its vertical woollen mill, which processes the fabric from raw fibre to finished cloth entirely from its site in West Yorkshire. The soft pilot cloth wool material is supplied to Clarks in two colours; camel and navy. The shoes will be available to purchase in Clarks Originals retail stores, online stores, and a range of third-party stockists. Amanda McLaren, AW Hainsworth’s Managing Director, comments, “It’s always an honour when brands and designers choose our fabrics, but it’s extra special to collaborate with other heritage brands that hold a special place in history. Like Hainsworth Speciality Fabrics, Clarks Originals Wallabees represent the look of iconic England." "In addition to working with Clarks, we have many other exciting partnerships in the pipeline, which include our fabrics being featured on national television and in several West End theatre productions.” The shoes have a history which dates back to 1967 and have become a timeless footwear style with a global following spanning multiple generations and cultures. A Clarks representative explains, “Our Wallabee returns in soft camel and navy Pilot Cloth, wool courtesy of 240-year-old British textile mill, Hainsworth. A tactile, cosy addition to our new-season line-up, this pair honours Wallabee DNA with its classic crepe soles and waxy laces. We've topped it with three leather logo fobs, calling attention to Originals and Hainsworth in a celebration of design heritage.” The Woolmark and Royal Warrant Holder previously partnered with Clarks in 2012 to supply eye-catching red fabric for a Clarks classic desert boot special edition of the model inspired by the Beatles' 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Hainsworth Speciality Fabrics has also worked with Community Clothing, Dries Van Noten, Luke Derrick and Matty Bovan to craft fabrics for their fashion collections. Designers, tailors and garment manufacturers choose Hainsworth Signature Fabric’s premium woollen textiles for interiors and apparel from diverse industries, united in their desire for the best craftsmanship and true British provenance.

One of the world’s most accomplished male voice choirs hit the right note at a concert in aid of JCB’s NSPCC Appeal – helping to raise £15,095. The internationally renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir - known affectionately as ‘The Fron’ - performed to a sell-out audience in the theatre at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester. The audience broke into spontaneous applause as it was announced that JCB and its employees were raising £2 million for the NSPCC to help with the charity’s work in Staffordshire – and that proceeds from the concert would go towards the fundraising. There were also cheers as JCB sponsored athlete and Olympian Adam Burgess, of Stone, Staffordshire, stepped on to the stage and showed off his Paris 2024 silver medal – ahead of helping to pull a giant Christmas cracker to reveal the total amount raised at the event. He was joined in pulling the cracker by three talented young pianists who also entertained the audience with performances at the event. They were Thomas Pham, 15, a former pupil at the Co-op Academy Glebe in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Ukrainian sister and brother Sofiia Uvarova and Andrii Uvarov, who have settled in Uttoxeter under JCB’s Homes for Ukraine initiative. JCB Group HR Director Max Jeffery attended with fellow JCB directors, employees, retired employees and members of the public. He said: "It was an absolutely wonderful evening and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. The singing was outstanding and the fun the choir brought to the occasion was fantastic, particularly the audience participation, which took place during the singing of the Twelve Days of Christmas!”

Leading glass packaging company, Croxsons, has announced the appointment of Veronica Chambers as quality & technical manager, effective 7th October 2024. With over 10 years of experience in the drinks and packaging industry, Veronica brings a wealth of expertise in compliance, quality management systems and sustainability. Reporting directly to the commercial director, Veronica will oversee Croxsons’ quality management system, ensuring all products meet rigorous customer specifications and quality standards. Key responsibilities also include managing customer compliance queries, monitoring supply chain performance and collaborating closely with sales and operations teams to enhance customer satisfaction and drive continuous improvement. Commenting on the appointment, Veronica said: "I was drawn to Croxsons because of their long-standing reputation in the industry and strong commitment to sustainability. I’m excited about the potential for growth and innovation in this role and look forward to working with the team to uphold Croxsons’ tradition of excellence." “Supporting their commitment to quality and sustainability aligns perfectly with my professional and personal values and I’m eager to contribute to the company’s continued success.” Croxsons CEO, Tim Croxson, added: "We are delighted to welcome Veronica to the Croxsons family. We are confident that her contributions will be pivotal in enhancing our operations and delivering added value to our customers.” For more information about Croxsons, visit their website here

People who experienced the care system in Scotland will come together this December to celebrate the joy of Christmas in a supportive and festive environment hosted by Who Cares? Scotland, thanks to a generous £2,500 donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. As the nation’s only membership organisation dedicated to care experienced individuals, Who Cares? Scotland empowers 4,200 members through advocacy, participation, and educational programmes. The organisation’s vision is for all care experienced people to enjoy lives filled with equality, respect, and love. Its work is crucial in fostering a sense of community and belonging for people whose formal support systems often end after leaving care. The donation from the Trust will support Who Cares? Scotland’s annual Care Family Christmas event, held at SWG3 in Glasgow on Christmas Day. This annual gathering offers a safe and joyous space for over 100 people to enjoy a three-course Christmas dinner, fun games, and gifts from Santa. Additionally, over 2,500 members will receive personalised Christmas parcels, ensuring that no one is left without a special moment on the day. The event helps combat the isolation many care experienced individuals feel during the festive season, creating a sense of connection and belonging among the 100+ attendees each year. Many of those are returning guests who are otherwise unable to see each other. One attendee from last year’s event said, "It was brilliant, I loved spending time with people. Loved the quiet space, the guy on the saxophone was really relaxing and the fire was amazing - this space was great." Lucy Christopher, Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, Who Cares? Scotland, thanks the Trust for the donation, saying, “We are so grateful for this wonderful and generous donation of £2500 from Allied Vehicles. Every penny of this donation will be used to ensure care experienced people have a magical Christmas day, including a three-course dinner, fun and games as well as presents from Santa! Our Care Family Christmas is open to everyone and ensures care experienced people have a place to connect and belong at what can be a challenging or lonely time of year for some.” David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles, added: "It’s a privilege to support the incredible work of Who Cares? Scotland. Christmas is a time for togetherness, and we’re proud to help support an event where people with experience of the care system can connect, celebrate, and enjoy a special day."

According to the Quantifying Data Skills Gap report, almost half of all workers surveyed had not received data skills training despite showing an interest, highlighting a disconnect between business and education. The IT, software, and computer services sector is worth £50.7 billion annually to the British economy, so it's little surprise that data skills have become the currency of success. From data analysis to machine learning, organisations across industries rely on skilled professionals to extract insights, drive innovation, and make informed decisions. David Banaghan, Co-Founder and Interim CEO at recruitment systems provider, Occupop said: “With an estimated shortfall of 178.000 to 234,000 roles requiring hard data skills, this represents a significant hole in the UK economy, which is particularly pressing in a high-growth industry." “With the supply of data scientists from the UK universities unlikely to exceed 10,000 per year, demand will continue to outpace supply, so businesses should look at improving access to digital skills training internally to remain competitive.” Here are some top tips to help your workforce learn the language of tech: Understanding the Data Skills Gap Despite this clear demand for data skills, 46% of businesses are facing challenges in recruiting for data specialist roles. This is also matched by workers saying they have not received any skills training within the same period. This highlights a need for businesses to upskill their existing workforce before looking externally. Closing the Data Skills Gap Arguably, to successfully bridge the data skills gap, businesses must collaborate with educational providers to create better pathways for digital skill development. Here is some food for thought: Lifelong Learning Programmes Upskilling : Employers should invest in learning programs that empower employees to acquire new skills. These programs can include workshops, online courses, and certifications in data analytics, programming and machine learning. Flexible Learning : Many employees have diverse schedules and commitments. Offer flexible learning formats, such as microlearning modules, lunchtime seminars and evening classes to accommodate different learning preferences and fit training around client work. Partnerships with Further Education Collaborate with Universities : Businesses can partner with universities to design curriculum that aligns with specific industry needs. Guest lectures, internships and joint research projects can bridge the gap between academia and practical skills. Support Bootcamps : Bootcamps and intensive training programs provide focused, hands-on learning experiences. Encourage employees to participate in these and consider sponsoring scholarships or tuition reimbursement. Digital Apprenticeships Apprenticeships : Figures for the 2023/24 academic year show that apprenticeships are up 2.5% from the previous year, and it’s easy to see why. These combine on-the-job training with classroom learning, allowing individuals to gain practical experience while earning a wage. Government Support : Advocate for government funding and incentives to promote digital apprenticeships. Governments can play a crucial role in facilitating partnerships between businesses and apprenticeship providers. Data Literacy Initiatives Company-Wide Data Literacy : Promote data literacy across all departments, not just IT or data science teams. Ensure everyone understands the basics of data analysis, visualisation and interpretation. Enrol Data Champions : Appoint designated data champions within different teams. These individuals can champion data literacy, answer questions and assist with data-driven decision-making. The data skills gap is a challenge but also presents an opportunity for growth. By investing in education, training and collaboration, forward-thinking businesses can empower their workforce to thrive in a digital future.

Britain’s largest independent furniture retailer, Furniture Village , is delighted to announce two award wins at The Best Companies Awards 2024. The business was named ‘Retail’s Best Company to Work For’ and ranked in the top 5 ‘Best Large Companies to Work For’. The ceremony was a special live broadcast event held on 7th November to recognise and celebrate workplace engagement. Furniture Village also received a 3-star accreditation in the Best Companies survey for the second consecutive year. This rating reflects ‘world class’ levels of workplace engagement. Furniture Village first entered the Best Companies Survey in 2021, achieving a 1-star accreditation, which recognised Furniture Village as a ‘very good’ place to work. The company has continued to strive to improve this, achieving a 2-star rating in 2022. Furniture Village is delighted to have been awarded 3-stars for two consecutive years, reflecting its journey to improve employee engagement and to foster a culture with people at its heart. Committed to creating the best workplace for its staff, Furniture Village continues to provide the best in-industry training and development programmes. The business also launched a family partnership profit-sharing scheme in 2023, which this year paid out approximately £2.25 million to eligible employees across the business. These factors resulted in the company achieving a 3-star ‘world class’ rating once again. Andy Robinson, Head of HR at Furniture Village adds: “We are delighted that Furniture Village has achieved the 3-star ‘world-class’ Best Companies accreditation and been awarded ‘Retail’s Best Company to Work For’. This shows what a truly remarkable company Furniture Village is — a business that genuinely puts its people at the heart of everything we do." "Being part of the rollout of the Best Companies survey is a privilege, as giving everyone a voice is key to building a team that’s both highly engaged and high performing. This year’s survey results have proven just how engaged and happy our people are. To be recognised as a ‘World Class’ business to work for voted for by all our people is amazing.” Peter J Harrison, Executive Chairman and Charlie Harrison, Managing Director at Furniture Village are delighted too adding that “Over the past 35 years we’ve built a business that not only prioritises its customers but also deeply values its people. As we’ve always said, ‘Our people are our greatest asset!’ Receiving recognition like this is a true testament to the amazing individuals who make up our Furniture Village family. It reflects the hard work, dedication and shared values that every person contributes to ensuring that the magic we have built over the years is replicated in every location and every business area!” ‘The Best Companies to Work for Lists’ was founded in 2001 to measure, improve and recognise great workplace engagement.

Private sector firms expect activity to fall in the three months to February 2025 (weighted balance of -10%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. This marks the first time this year that expectations for growth have been negative. Business volumes in the services sector are anticipated to decline (-13%), with a slight fall in business & professional services (-7%) and a sharper decline in consumer services (-33%), both marking the weakest expectations for around two years. Distribution sales are also expected to fall (-20%), while manufacturers anticipate output to rise modestly in the three months to February (+9%). The tepid outlook comes as private sector activity fell again in the three months to November (-13%), falling at a faster pace than in the three months to October (-4%). All three major sectors reported falling business volumes, sales or output. Alpesh Paleja, CBI Interim Deputy Chief Economist, said: “As we head into 2025 expectations for growth have taken a decisive turn for the worse. Our surveys suggest that anticipated activity was already weakening heading into the October Budget and the Chancellor’s announcements have left businesses with even more tough choices to make." “News that firms are planning to reduce headcount is a concern, with hiring intentions at their weakest since the tail-end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be an early sign of the impact of higher labour costs from the upcoming rise in employer NICs, and the uprating in the National Living Wage." “Against this background, firms are looking to government to take a lead in helping generate positive momentum for the economy. That means moving quickly and decisively to reform business rates, deliver apprenticeship levy flexibility, and boost occupational health incentives to support the health of the workforce.”

The latest Lloyds Business Barometer found that confidence fell in November, with the index dipping three points to 41%. Considerably above the long-term average of 29%, the change followed a period of sustained positivity from businesses, as confidence reached the highest level reported since 2015 during May, July and August this year. The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running for more than 20 years since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. Businesses were asked about their optimism in the wider economy as well as their own trading prospects, with results indicating relatively positive sentiment. Despite indications of uncertainty in the wider environment, trading prospects continued to be resilient. Trading Prospects & the Economy Although more than half of all respondents (52%) were more optimistic about the economy than three months ago, 26% felt less positive – up from 20% in October. Consequently, the overall result for economic optimism fell 9 points to 26%. Businesses did, however, demonstrate more positivity in their own trading prospects. Only 8% of firms said they expected less activity in the coming year, while 63% predicted more. As a result, the overall score for trading prospects in November rose to 55%. Employment Insights Although hiring intentions reduced for the third time in four months, over half of all business-owners expected to increase the number of employees on their books. 52% of respondents had plans to increase the size of their workforce, three times the number of businesses expecting to downsize (17%). Despite a moderate reduction, expectations around pay are still elevated in comparison to the last four years. Nevertheless, the number of businesses that expected wage growth of 3% or more fell for the third month in a row (30%). Similarly, the proportion of businesses expecting at least 4% pay growth dipped to 16% - a four-month low. Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: “In November, the overall confidence metric fell by 3 points for the third month running. This is the lowest level since June, but still above the survey’s long-term average, which is ultimately positive from a longer-term perspective." “These results suggest that while firms have mixed views about the economy, they see their businesses in a good place to cope with any challenges they might face. Hiring intentions, although moderating this month, haven’t fallen by much which is also positive news. “Overall, these results show that businesses are still positive and feeling resilient, albeit with tempered views on the economic outlook.” Pricing Insights Slightly fewer businesses plan to increase prices in the coming months. 63% of respondents said they expected the costs of their goods and services to increase (down from 64%), while a further 3% expected to lower them. These results still indicate that the breadth of businesses expecting to raise their prices remains above pre-pandemic levels. Sector Insights Firms in the manufacturing sector reported the first rise in trading prospects in four months, with the net balance up 3 points to 49%. Companies in construction and services also indicated stronger business growth outlooks with net balances of 56% (up 6 points) and 61% (up 4 points), respectively. Retail firms, however, signalled softer prospects for a second month running, with the trading prospects net balance down 6 points at 45%. Paul Kempster, Managing Director for Relationship Management, Lloyds Business & Commercial said: “It’s clear that businesses are feeling confident in themselves, evidenced by their buoyant trading prospects, which is great news for the UK." “There has been an improvement in manufacturing – for the first time in four months – as well as construction and services which is welcome news, considering our sectors can play a huge role in boosting economic growth." “Despite a fall in some of the regions, it is encouraging to see resilience elsewhere. But no matter where businesses are based, we are here to support and continue helping them – and Britain – prosper.” Regional Insights Confidence fell in nine of the 12 UK regions and nations this month. The biggest drops were in Yorkshire & the Humber, and Northern Ireland. There were also sizeable pullbacks in the North East, Scotland and the East Midlands. The North East still remained in the top three in terms of the level of confidence, owing to previously strong results. Bucking the trend with stronger confidence are the West Midlands, the East of England and London. The West Midlands’ sharp rise propelled the region into second place behind the Capital which registered a marginal improvement. The North West is in joint third place with the North East.

Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO was delighted to be invited to represent our family business community as a guest of the Prime Minister at a business breakfast at 10 Downing Street to recognise the significant contributions that small businesses have made to the UK economy. The event was held to coincide with Small Business Week 2024. As Paul explains, "Family business is at the heart of everything that we do at Family Business United and it was a really proud moment for us as an organisation to be invited in recognition of the work we do to champion the sector each and every day. Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and deserve all the recognition they get as significant providers of jobs, creators of wealth, income generators, community supporters and tax payers." "There were plenty of family businesses in the room and supporters of the small business sector, the energy and the buzz palpable and some good connections were made which will further help us amplify the family business voice." "This was an event to champion small businesses but we also need to remember that family businesses are not all small, many are large businesses employing many thousands of people and have been around for generations. The collective family business voice is important and it was a pleasure to represent the family business sector and all of the small family businesses who are passionate, entrepreneurial and inspiration and deserve to be recognised for the work they do. It was great support them and to represent the vibrant family business community that is the very essence of what FBU is all about." "Family business matters and as we move towards the festive period and a time that is so intrinsically linked with family, it was a proud family business moment in both my personal journey, and the recognition for the journey that FBU as an organisation has been on too."

British female-founded furniture brand, French Bedroom, has announced a record-breaking few months of trading, beating previous revenue records set in Covid-19. French Bedroom celebrated its best ever month of revenue in October, marking a significant milestone in its journey of growth. Founded in 2006 by Georgia Metcalfe, French Bedroom is synonymous with feminine, authentic and timeless furniture that is designed to last a lifetime. The business attributes its 2024 success to its new own-brand furniture collections, which are designed and crafted to capitalise on new trends ahead of their emergence. This, along with growing brand awareness, has propelled the business to new heights and French Bedroom is increasingly recognised and sought out by consumers who identify with its classic, feminine and aspirational aesthetic. French Bedroom has experienced outstanding growth across key metrics in 2024, including: October was the company’s best ever month, with a revenue increase of 50% YOY. October also included the two best ever weeks on record. 37% growth in orders, highlighting expanding customer reach. 51% rise in items sold, reflecting the appeal of its timeless and elegant designs. The company reported standout growth across its storage product category: Armoire sales up 80%. Bedside tables sales up 66%. Chests of Drawers sales up 34%. Dressing table sales up 320%. As a female-founded and led company, French Bedroom is proud to champion women, both in business and in the home. Georgia heads up the business and all product design. She is supported by a female MD and all-female design team. Additionally, its products are made for women, by women and unapologetically feminine, featuring details such as trimmings, piping and beading, reflecting the role of women as the key decision maker for purchases for the home. Georgia commented, “The gap between price vs. quality, special vs. functional, disposable vs. cherished, impromptu vs. considered purchases is widening." "And alongside this shift, our audience demographic has also broadened – Gen Z are investing in quality pieces – choosing and appreciating timeless style, and carefully made items." "Customers seek higher end, more meaningful purchases, creating a connection with the items they purchase, and the craftspeople who made them. At French Bedroom we all work so hard to curate items that celebrate true creativity and the craft – something that’s core to our brand values in an increasingly disposable and unconnected world.” French Bedroom’s record-breaking performance underscores its unique ability to resonate with customers of all ages, including a rising Gen Z demographic seeking meaningful, enduring designs. This growing appreciation for well-crafted, timeless pieces is transforming the way customers view furniture, choosing investment items over fast, disposable options. As the brand looks ahead to 2025, it is poised for continued success, with a breadth of new collections in the pipeline set to inspire and delight customers.