By Sarah Montano, Professor of Retail Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to that elusive Christmas wish list. One thing we do know will feature on many lists is toys. Whilst, we know that little ones will be anxiously waiting for Santa to deliver, we should … Continue reading “Toyland Triumphs: The Marketing and Popularity of Christmas Toys 2024”
Category: Economy
Christmas Markets: A modern movie vibe and a time to socialise?
By Sarah Montano, Professor of Retail Marketing and Dr Inci Toral, Associate Professor Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The arrival of a Christmas market in the centre of a local town or city heralds the countdown to Christmas! With the smell of mulled wine in the air, the temptation of a hot dog to … Continue reading “Christmas Markets: A modern movie vibe and a time to socialise?”
The UK Youth Guarantee: A leap forward or window dressing?
By Dr Sotirios Zartaloudis, Associate Professor in Comparative European Politics POLSIS, School of Government, University of Birmingham One of the major announcements of the new Labour government to improve the UK economy was the so-called “Youth Guarantee” whereby “every 18 to 21-year-old in England will get access to an apprenticeship, training or education opportunities or … Continue reading “The UK Youth Guarantee: A leap forward or window dressing?”
Save Our Shops: Can the High Street Survive the Latest Challenges?
By Sarah Montano, Professor of Retail Marketing and Dr Inci Toral, Associate Professor Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham Once again, the UK’s retail sector is facing challenges, as highlighted by protests and a letter signed by over 80 major retailers. Key measures, including a rise in National Insurance contributions, an increase in the minimum wage, … Continue reading “Save Our Shops: Can the High Street Survive the Latest Challenges? “
Bitcoin Booms Past $95,000: The “Trump Pump” Sparks Market Frenzy
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham It’s official: Bitcoin has once again broken records, shattering the $95,000 ceiling after Donald Trump’s recent presidential election win, sending shockwaves across the financial world. The surge has been nicknamed the “Trump pump,” and for a good reason. Trump’s victory is sparking dreams of deregulation … Continue reading “Bitcoin Booms Past $95,000: The “Trump Pump” Sparks Market Frenzy”
Why hold an academic event about Taylor Swift?
By Professor Sarah Montano Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham We were delighted to host The Taylor Swift Phenomenon as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, a standout event that received BBC press coverage for its engaging exploration of cultural influence. Taylor Swift’s ascent to iconic status compels us to examine how society … Continue reading “Why hold an academic event about Taylor Swift?”
The Fallacy of Borrowing to Invest
By Professor John Bryson Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham There are many way of describing the Labour budget. To some in Labour, the budget process has been described as “a mess” whilst others use words like “chaos” and “carnage”. These descriptions apply to discussions regarding departmental budgets. All this is very Yes Minister. In … Continue reading “The Fallacy of Borrowing to Invest”
What’s the impact of the US election on crypto?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The relationship between the US elections and the cryptocurrency market has grown increasingly intertwined as digital assets become more mainstream and significant in the global financial system. As one of the largest and most developed economies, the US plays a critical role in shaping the … Continue reading “What’s the impact of the US election on crypto?”
Global financial markets in turmoil: How the Israel-Iran tensions are shaking equities, commodities and crypto
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The recent flare-up in conflict between Israel and Iran has sent seismic tremors through global financial markets. Investors are navigating a period of intense volatility as equity markets tumble, oil prices surge, and safe-haven assets like gold experience dramatic gains. This geopolitical escalation has added … Continue reading “Global financial markets in turmoil: How the Israel-Iran tensions are shaking equities, commodities and crypto”
The Bank of England has maintained its base interest rate – what does that mean for UK Real Estate?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham In September 2024, the Bank of England (BoE) made the strategic decision to maintain its base interest rate at 5.25%. This move follows a series of interest rate hikes in response to inflationary pressures throughout 2023 and early 2024. The decision to pause further rate … Continue reading “The Bank of England has maintained its base interest rate – what does that mean for UK Real Estate?”