PwC UK

✨ As Christmas fast approaches, we’re highlighting our pantomime charity partner, Nacoa UK.    Since 1990, Nacoa has provided life-changing support and is expanding its reach to over 100 schools. Every donation helps transform lives. Thank you to Nacoa and our teams for their amazing efforts.   #CommunityImpact #PwCPantomime

We’ve collected the biggest stories from the year in our final newsletter of the year. We talk: 🤖 about AI FOMO 🏏to the man behind the viral sports fan meme, and 🎤with DEMOS and Bradford Council about how collaboration will be the key to a successful industrial strategy.    Find out why 169k people are subscribers and join us for 2025. Read it here👇

🛍️Retailers saw a modest 0.2% rise in November sales year-on-year (YoY), reversing weaker trends from previous months. However, these figures need context: - Black Friday fell outside this year’s reporting period - Snow and Storm Bert caused mid-month disruptions - Fashion sales continue to struggle, with volumes down 8.1% YoY Looking ahead, the signs are more encouraging for December: consumer confidence is stabilising post-Budget, and our forecast suggests a 5% increase in spending on gifts and festivities. Optimism for a strong close to 2024 remains. Read our full insights here: https://pwc.to/3DmjVFU

Are you Team Alex or Team Maria when it comes to Christmas shopping: do you want to sit at home and let AI to decide what you should buy or do you need to spend time in a festive store and get a little assistance from augmented reality mirrors? In our last episode of Tech it out, we explored how retailers are using technology - both online and instore - to connect with customers of all ages. Our hosts Alex Rühl and Maria Luciana A. were joined by Joanna Wardle, our digital transformation, data and analytics specialist and Sam Farnfield, corporate strategy director, Strategy&. Watch the full episode back here https://bit.ly/4eTlvvS

This year's Make UK Executive Survey indicates that manufacturers will continue to commit to decarbonise. Consequently, green jobs and skills continue to play a key part in future innovation. Join the Make UK webinar on 23 January as Cara Haffey, our Leader of Industrial Manufacturing and Services, and an expert industry panel explore the key challenges and drivers for the #Manufacturing sector in the year ahead. Register here: https://bit.ly/4fbN8Ai #IndustryinFocus #Productivity #Skills #IndustrialStrategy

From our founding location on Gresham Street in 1849 to our current headquarters at Embankment Place, this walk down memory lane highlights the offices and landmarks that have shaped our legacy. 🕰️ As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations, we’ve reached into our archives to uncover relics from our past. In this final episode of our anniversary series, our social archivist Ben Sharratt takes us on a journey through the streets of London, tracing the evolution of our firm’s footprint in the city over the past 175 years. Take a look at our website for more videos exploring our archive, link in the comments below. #Historic #CityofLondon

Inspiring tomorrow's workforce ⭐ We hosted 15 students from Ifield Community College at our PwC More London office as part of the Dare to Dream programme, delivered by the Love Local Jobs Foundation. From exploring emerging tech like VR and AR to honing CV and presentation skills, the day was all about unlocking potential, building confidence, and inspiring future career journeys. 🎥 Watch the video to see how we’re helping young people think ahead. #DareToDream #SocialMobility #WorkExperience

Ready to unlock the full potential of your data with AI and cloud technology? Companies modernising with cloud are realising twice the value compared to those stuck with outmoded, outdated systems. Warren Tucker our Cloud and Digital Transformation Leader, explains how cloud is transforming businesses, helping to generate real value, at speed, from AI. Discover why our human-led, tech-powered approach accelerates innovation and has earned us multiple awards. https://pwc.to/4g4riQK #HumanLedTechPowered #AI #Cloud

Universities are at the heart of our regions, driving economic growth and innovation. Our latest report, co-authored with Lloyds Banking Group, explores how UK universities can enhance their civic roles to address regional productivity challenges and embrace opportunities like the net-zero transition. Key findings include: 🔬 UK universities are recognised as key national assets and anchor institutions within their regions and nations and should look to integrate their civic roles with their core functions of teaching and research, rather than treating them as separate activities. 🤝 There is a need for stronger partnerships with local businesses, further education colleges and communities to increase universities contribution to economic growth, address regional challenges and secure universities long-term financial sustainability. 🪙 Despite the financial fragility of the sector, there are opportunities for growth through diversifying income streams. Universities should look to embrace commercial opportunities and industry collaboration, through reviewing and evolving existing workforce models and academic staff incentives, encouraging greater agility, commerciality and risk tolerance. 🚪Universities are seeking to create a physical and / or digital single front door to articulate an institution’s offering clearly with an accessible point of entry.

Thinking about digital transformation but worried about the big leap? Our top recommendation is: Don't worry, start small. Watch the video - a part of our 'Top Tips for Successful Cloud Transformation' series with the Technology Impact Leader, Rob McCargow and Klairi Liis.    Episode 5 is due to roll out on the 18th of Dec, follow John Lyons to see it.