#operational-efficiency

#operational-efficiency

A new research report launched today by leading retail consumables specialist CCS McLays, in partnership with Retail Economics, has uncovered a £276m hidden cost opportunity in UK fashion retail, driven by widespread mismanagement of Goods Not for Resale (GNFR). The report, From blind spot to retail advantage: How GNFR is reshaping profitability in UK fashion retail reveals that UK fashion retailers could achieve an average 7% reduction in GNFR costs through a more systematic and strategic approach.

Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be constantly marching forward across nearly every industry. While food service is an area that has long relied on human touch (be it via skilled cooks or friendly faces interacting with customers), it too is facing a new wave of AI-powered technologies. These innovations are often sold as being a means to improve working conditions by increasing efficiency and reducing stress - particularly in hectic fast food kitchens -

The technology underpinning retail operations is under scrutiny in 2026 as fashion executives look to streamline systems with the aim to unlock efficiency, cut costs and meet consumer expectations for speed and personalisation in the shopping journey. At the retail event Lightspeed Edge on 12 January, Lightspeed - the unified point-of-sale (POS) and payments platform for SMEs such as Apricot Lane Boutique and Neal's Yard Remedies - convened industry leaders to explore the strategic imperative for integrated technology ecosystems over siloed systems.

As I was putting this talk together, I happened to be watching a lot of old cartoons and reading comics from the '80s and '90s. I noticed a pattern that I felt would be a great analogy for the message I want to get across today. In so many of these shows, you've got a villain or an evil organization working towards some world domination or other malignant aims, and these are our bad guys.

"Our organization has become slow and inefficient," Heaf said. "Unnecessary complexity has reduced our speed and dampened our innovation."

We had retention that was 3-4 times better than other meal delivery services. We had low awareness, lots of room for product innovation, and a seemingly clear path to an IPO. Then the war broke out in Ukraine, and capital markets started to get spooked. All of the sudden, fast-growing, unprofitable consumer businesses were out of vogue. We managed to raise $32mm, not a small sum, but it felt like a failure.

Few commissions allow architects to focus on non-human users, and fewer still involve horses. While domestic pets like cats and dogs are common muses, the particular needs of horses present a unique challenge when designing stables. Since the horses, who are the stable's primary inhabitants, cannot articulate their needs, design relies on the rigorous requirements dictated by human caretakers, requiring a balance between streamlined human operations and maximized horse comfort and safety.

This operational burden intensifies as wealth management firms race to meet surging client demand for alternatives, with RIAs and family offices struggling to track hundreds of documents across dozens of portals while maintaining accurate performance reporting. Bridge has emerged as the first AI-native operating system designed specifically for private markets allocators, automating the entire workflow from document aggregation to performance analytics through proprietary technology that reduces operational overhead by 70% and generates reports 3x faster.

CM.com posted its highest ever EBITDA in the third quarter of 2025, but has again lowered its profit forecast for the full year. The company now expects normalized EBITDA of €18 to €20 million, down from a previous range of €22 to €27 million. The reduction follows headwinds in the market and an unfavorable dollar exchange rate, which are weighing on results.

There is a special kind of chaos that occurs in a warehouse without clear processes. One day, everything works smoothly; the next, pallets are misplaced, orders are delayed, and no one's quite sure who is supposed to do what. That's where a solid SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) swoops in. It brings order and makes life easier for everyone, from the floor staff to the operations manager.

In today's manufacturing world, precision is the ultimate advantage. A single oversight can halt production, compromise worker safety, or ripple through global supply chains. From advanced plants in the US to automotive hubs in Europe and industrial mega-sites in the Middle East, manufacturers face mounting pressure to deliver efficiency, compliance, and innovation-all without error. With global competition intensifying and Industry 4.0 transforming shop floors, traditional training is no longer enough. Manufacturers need learning strategies that not only keep pace with change.

The need for efficiency becomes paramount, particularly as costs continue to rise. Adopting innovative solutions can help managers tackle these challenges effectively. For instance, the use of technology such as a robotic line marker can simplify field maintenance, reducing both time and labour costs. This type of automation allows for the precise execution of tasks, which is critical for maintaining the quality that fans and players expect.

Digitization has not only transformed how we shop, travel, and communicate, but it has also completely redefined the way we eat out. In an industry that has long been driven by tradition and personal touch, the shift toward automation and efficiency tools is now impossible to ignore. Restaurants of every size, from small family-owned bistros to high-end dining chains, are recognizing that their survival and growth depend on adapting to a more tech-driven environment.

When you hear "governance," what pops to mind? We often picture limitations or roadblocks. Yet the opposite is true, particularly with artificial intelligence. AI governance is about discovering what your organization can do. Organizations implementing comprehensive AI governance experience measurable returns, including $840,000 in operational efficiency gains and 80% in productivity improvements. Building out your AI roadmap requires a mindset shift. These ideas will move you from limitation to acceleration.

Buyers are increasingly paying a premium for operational clarity: clean financials, structured operations and a team that's ready to scale.

I've said to our team, part of our turnaround is becoming the world's greatest customer service company again. It's centered on putting enough partners on the roster in the stores and then deployed correctly so they can provide that customer connection, that experience, that frankly Starbucks really was founded on.

AI is showing up in every corner of the business world - but in high-stakes fields like finance and tax, its real value isn't speed for speed's sake. It's about reducing friction, increasing accuracy and giving overworked teams the tools to focus on what matters most.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of companies in the UK rely on "multi-vendor ecosystems," resulting in increased risk and staff burnout, according to research from Kaspersky.

"The most successful operators in 2025 are using AI not just for efficiency but as a true competitive advantage," says Maria Chen, Chief Innovation Officer at FoodTech Ventures. "We're seeing 38% higher customer retention rates among restaurants using advanced personalization compared to those relying on traditional loyalty programs."

An investment in technology for internal operations not only improves efficiency that the guest appreciates but also sends a clear message to employees that management supports and empowers them.

Implementing high efficiency HVAC, better insulation, and smart system integrations such as smart lighting, can reduce energy cost estimates by 30% to 50% in new and existing buildings.

Insulating external pipes is a practical step for businesses that need to meet legal, safety, and operational requirements.

AI is helping to keep our distribution centers stocked with enough of our branded packaging to meet demand. It helps prevent disruptions before they occur.