Off to Lunch

Off to Lunch is a daily newsletter focused on delivering key insights into global and UK-specific business trends, economic indicators, market challenges, and corporate strategies. It covers topics ranging from job market fluctuations, mergers and acquisitions, environmental sustainability in industry, inflation and interest rate decisions, to technological trends and public policy impacts on business and economy.

Business Strategy and Growth Economic Indicators and Trends Job Market Dynamics Merger and Acquisition Activities Environmental Sustainability in Business Monetary Policy and Inflation Technology and Innovation Public Policy and its Impact on Business

The hottest Substack posts of Off to Lunch

And their main takeaways

2,800 jobs to go...

1356 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Industry Politics Environment Retail
  1. Tata Steel is cutting 2,800 jobs in the UK by closing two blast furnaces to shift to electric arc furnaces.
  2. The job cuts are part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and transform the Port Talbot facility into a center for green steelmaking.
  3. The UK faces a significant drop in retail sales, potentially signaling a risk of falling into a recession.

We are back!

1218 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business News Podcasts Leadership Startups Management
  1. Off to Lunch newsletter is back for 2024 with exciting plans, including relaunching Business Leader magazine.
  2. The podcast associated with Off to Lunch covers big business stories and interviews key figures like the CEO of Seedrs and UK boss of Peloton.
  3. Important news stories highlighted include weakening UK job market, Artifact app closing down, and Adidas CEO sharing his phone number with all staff for feedback.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Offer accepted

687 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Mergers Infrastructure Media Social media Podcasts
  1. Barratt Developments is acquiring Redrow in a £2.5 billion deal, creating the largest housebuilder in the UK
  2. The all-share deal values Redrow's shares at a 27% premium, with Barratt shareholders owning 67.2% of the new company
  3. The merger expects to save up to £90 million in annual costs and position Redrow as the premium housing brand within the group

Podcast notes

648 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Market News Industry insights Career development
  1. The episode features an interview with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou discussing building easyJet and facing competition.
  2. Zuber Issa may offload his stake in Asda, UK companies anticipate increasing prices despite inflation easing, and Sir Tim Clark criticizes Boeing.
  3. A piece on executive coaches for business leaders and an article from 1985 about laptop computers not becoming popular offers insights on technology trends.

What's going on with electric cars?

511 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Electric Vehicles Economic Impact
  1. Sales of battery electric cars to private buyers in the UK fell by 25% in January.
  2. The UK government's plan to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 is facing criticism for slow progress.
  3. Challenges in the electric vehicle sector include concerns about demand, government strategies, and business operations.

Jobs, jobs, jobs

511 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Management Companies Market Trends Industry
  1. There is evidence of a weakening job market with a drop in wage growth and job vacancies.
  2. Despite the decline, current job numbers are still stronger than pre-Covid times.
  3. Recruitment firms are noticing a decrease in demand for their services, indicating a shift in the job market.

Bank of England holds rates, but...

334 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Inflation Business News Economy Interest Rates
  1. The Bank of England decided to keep interest rates at 5.25%, despite a split vote among committee members.
  2. Inflation is still high in the UK at 4%, above the Bank's 2% target, but recent data suggests a slowdown in the economy.
  3. The Bank's monetary policy report hints at inflation potentially dropping to 2% in the near future, but interest rates may not be cut until sustained evidence is seen.

After inflation, deflation?

255 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Economy Exports Inflation Global Trade
  1. Recent data shows deflation in the Chinese economy, affecting consumer prices and factory goods.
  2. Deflation poses challenges for businesses, as consumers may delay spending anticipating lower prices.
  3. Bank of England aims to maintain 2% inflation, highlighting the negative impacts of deflation on business profits and debt.

Doom and boom?

294 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Economics Investment Government Industry Technology
  1. The next UK government will face tough economic choices post-election, with challenges in public finance and investment.
  2. Private sector growth and business breakthroughs are crucial for economic development in the UK.
  3. Birmingham is experiencing challenges due to lack of public transport investment, emphasizing the importance of private sector investment for job creation.