Evaluation highlights the appetite for arts, culture and entertainment in the city.

Dementia Awareness Week in Coventry starts with a song and dance.

War and Craig Charles to perform in the park.

Helping West Midlands creative talent into jobs.

Funded training launched to help people at risk of or recently made redundant.

Careers fair aims to provide opportunities for young people.

Investigation promised into Handsworth man's arrest.

Birmingham music charity launches a new strand of community vocal activity.

Sandwell IT director to step down after three decades of service.

A musical celebration of themes from Gerry Anderson’s TV shows at Symphony Hall.

Simon Hale listens to the CBSO and their guest conductor.

Classic locomotive takes to the rails for the summer.

But look smart to catch Britain's poshest train.

Campaigners produce video in fight to save playing fields.

Black Country Industrial Cluster provides energy efficiency support for local businesses.

Four Seasons inspires Lichfield Festival schools’ projects.

New pilot programme from Girl Grind UK is as easy as ABC.

Richard Lutz heads for a city break.  

Richard Lutz witnesses a digital war over the information we crave.

 Moseley has been crowned as the best place in Britain for city living, according to the Sunday Times.

Operation Black Vote unveiled Birmingham’s new generation of civic leaders at a media launch of their Civic Leadership Programme last week.

New Central Library: Founding a Friends Group, Thursday 4 July

Award-winning attraction returns to the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.

Free activities in the Bullring to accompany festive favourite.

Jessica Harris watches a challenging performance at Birmingham Rep.

Helen Annetts enjoys a day out in the past.

£250,000 upgrade gives back community centre to Quinton.

Andy Street joins expert panel for COVID-19 vaccine webinar.

Birmingham doctor makes call to stamp out vaccine hesitancy during Ramadan.

Chinese online retail giant, Temu, faces a European Union investigation for potential violations of the Digital Services Act, including consumer protection and data privacy concerns. The company risks significant fines if found in breach. Shein and Temu, Chinese e-commerce giants, have challenged Amazon in the US and Zara and H&M in Europe with low prices and fast turnover.

According to a report by Kearney and LUXASIA, India's luxury beauty market is projected to grow to USD 1.6 billion by 2028 and USD 4.0 billion by 2035. This growth is fueled by economic development and an expanding middle class. Brands need to tailor their strategies for region-specific preferences to succeed. Early market entry and expert support are crucial to navigate complexities, the report said.

Blackstone is close to acquiring Retail Opportunity Investments Corp, which owns U.S. shopping centers worth $3.4 billion including debt. Other private equity firms, including Bain Capital, are also interested. The deal could be finalized in the coming weeks if negotiations succeed. ROIC has raised rents significantly amidst high inflation, making it an attractive target.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is convening a Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on November 7-8. The meeting will address concerns regarding food safety on e-commerce platforms and strategize ways to enhance food product surveillance and testing across states.

Retail leasing in India's top eight cities dipped slightly in the third quarter of 2024, driven by strong demand on main streets and limited mall supply. While overall leasing edged down 1%, main streets accounted for 68% of activity, pushing rental rates up in several cities.

Despite the persistent inflation and sluggish demand, several leading FMCG and retail brands are doubling down on their premiumization strategies, reshaping their approach to appeal to discerning customers.

The Bhartia family and Goldman Sachs are joining forces for a significant deal. They are planning to acquire a large stake in HCCB, the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in India. Goldman Sachs will provide substantial financial backing for this venture. The deal involves a planned future listing of HCCB, allowing Goldman Sachs to exit strategically. This move mirrors PepsiCo's successful strategy with Varun Beverages.

“With customers seeking more personalized experiences, the outlet will provide a holistic experience that will assist them in making the right decisions,” said Saurabh Agarwal, managing director, Kamdhenu Paints.

Bhutani Group acquired Logix City Center for nearly Rs 1,000 crore. The deal includes 1.2 million sq ft of retail, office and hospitality space. Bhutani Group also secured land with potential for a 600,000 sq ft residential project. The company recently won a bid to develop Film City near Noida's upcoming airport.

Colgate-Palmolive India is experiencing growth in the expanding oral care market. The company reported a 10% rise in revenue. However, it recognizes market difficulties like fluctuating demand and rising costs. Colgate remains dedicated to improving oral health awareness in India. It aims to achieve this through education and product innovation. The company is focused on sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

Indian consumers are increasingly choosing healthier snack options, driving the segment's rapid growth. Emerging brands offering smaller packs and health-focused snacks are experiencing significant success, particularly in metros and lower town classes. This health-conscious trend extends to durables like air fryers and fitness wearables, reflecting a nationwide shift towards healthier lifestyles.

Godrej Industries is set to acquire the food additives and emulsifier business of Savannah Surfactants Limited for Rs 76 crore. The deal will see Godrej Industries expand its product offerings to the Food & Beverages segment. Savannah Surfactants Ltd has a manufacturing capacity of 5,200 tonnes per annum of finished products.

India's retail inflation rose to 6.21 percent in October. This is a significant increase from September's 5.49 percent. Food prices are the main reason for this surge. This is the first time since August that inflation has gone beyond the Reserve Bank of India's 6 percent limit. The rise in onion prices is a major concern.

US President Donald Trump's second term may benefit India's electronics industry. The US plans to impose tariffs on Chinese electronics, encouraging companies to seek alternative manufacturing hubs. India, with its growing manufacturing sector, stands to gain. Experts believe this shift could lead to increased electronics exports from India to the US. However, concerns remain about India's capacity to handle the potential surge in production.

“We have been able to grow a little from 15.4% to 16.7% in H1. But this is coming more from the operational efficiencies point of view. And also a very little from probably I can say, there is an advantage currently where the raw material prices are at most low. This is the advantage we have been able to get in H1. ”

“We will first want to focus on growth in terms of top line and margins will take care of themselves. With a lot of operating efficiencies coming in, margin should take care of itself but we follow our mantra of “nothing at the cost of market and nothing at the cost of margin. So we will balance both together.”

Stationery retailer DOMS Industries has acquired 51 per cent of stake in Skido Industries with an initial investment of Rs 51 lakh, marking its entrance into school bag manufacturing, it said in a press release on Thursday. The remaining stake of Skido remains with Sehgals.

“With this expansion, we are excited to connect with even more individuals and families, offering them a curated selection of products that inspire creativity and enrich everyday life," said Divyanshu Solanki, founder and CEO of the company.

Linc, a writing instruments brand, has appointed Sachin Bhatnagar as its new president of global business. Bhatnagar brings over 30 years of experience to the role, having previously served as CEO at Lykis. He will be responsible for driving Linc's strategic direction and growth.

Hugo Boss reported third-quarter operating profit slightly above expectations, but acknowledged it won't achieve its 2025 revenue and profit growth targets due to weak demand. Despite cost-cutting measures, the luxury fashion brand faces challenges from cautious consumer spending and a difficult market, particularly in China.