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Saturday 30th September 2023
Hospitality leaders call for crucial festive trade to be protected and urgent resolution to rail strikes
Hospitality leaders call for crucial festive trade to be protected and urgent resolution to rail strikes: Leading hospitality businesses have joined UKHospitality’s calls for the crucial festive season to be protected and for an urgent … view
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Friday 29th September 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: A glimpse into the future, labour management through a lens, grabbing a pizza the action 
Authors: Ann Elliott, Alastair Scott,  Glynn Davis

A peek in … view

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Friday 29th September 2023
Update: TGI Fridays parent reports 2% increase in LFL revenue after building ‘a leaner and more focused business’
TGI Fridays parent reports 2% increase in like-for-like revenue after building ‘a leaner and more focused organisation’: Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays, has reported its like-for-like revenue between 2 July 2023 and 24 Se … view
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Friday 29th September 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Flight Club operator reports strong trading in 2023 with full-year revenue expected to exceed £68m: Red Engine, the team behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has said it has seen “strong trading” across its venues in 2023 and exp … view
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Friday 29th September 2023
Britain loses 30% of nightclubs since covid as consumers’ late-night habits evolve
Britain loses 30% of nightclubs since covid as consumers’ late-night habits evolve: Covid and changing consumer habits have led to a sharp drop in Britain's nightclubs as consumers’ habits diversify and shift towards a broader range … view
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Thursday 28th September 2023
Exclusive: RedCat appoints new CEO, M&B, Pret, Gail's, experiential leisure, Breddos Tacos
Exclusive – RedCat appoints Richard Lewis as new CEO: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, has appointed Richard Lewis, formerly of SSP UK & Ireland and Greene King, as its new chief executive, … view
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Thursday 28th September 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Shepherd Neame CEO – London pubs seeing record trade, sector M&A activity will be quiet in near future as operators focus on inward investment: Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame, has told Propel … view
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Wednesday 27th September 2023
Update: Shepherd Neame, Tasty, Everyman, XP Factory results
Shepherd Neame says recent trade ‘encouraging’ as it reports record full-year revenue: Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has said recent trade has been “encouraging” as the business reported record full-year revenue, but add … view
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Wednesday 27th September 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Bill’s MD – we were struggling with relevance, our recovery has been based on team enjoyment: Tom James, managing director of Bill’s, has said that coming out of the pandemic, the business was struggling with relevance, while its su … view
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Tuesday 26th September 2023
Exclusive: Mildreds secures new funding and signs on two new sites, Honest Burgers crowdfunding campaign reaches more than £1.6m on launch day
Exclusive – Mildreds secures new funding, signs on two new sites, to launch bakery concept: London-based, vegan restaurant group Mildreds is set for further expansion in the capital after securing a multi-million-pound funding package, … view
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Tuesday 26th September 2023
Update: Triple Two insolvency, Safestay results, Martyn’s Law, new AA Rosettes
Cooks Coffee to place Triple Two business into insolvency: Cooks Coffee has announced it expects to shortly appoint administrators to place its Triple Two coffee franchise business, comprising Triple Two Holdings and its subsidiaries, int … view
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Tuesday 26th September 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Popeyes UK CEO – ‘tech brand selling chicken’ is in good shape, looking to open 20-plus sites a year: Tom Crowley, UK chief executive of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, has said TDR Capital’s recent £50m investment in … view
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Monday 25th September 2023
Update: Brighton Pier Group, drinking guidance, economy slowdown fears, drone takeaway deliveries
Brighton Pier Group CEO – trading continues to be impacted by events outside our control, operating profit for full year likely to be below expectations: Brighton Pier Group chief executive Anne Ackord has said trading continues to be … view
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Monday 25th September 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
MacKenzie – PizzaExpress is as relevant as ever, harnessing the power of the brand is key challenge: Paula MacKenzie, chief executive of PizzaExpress, has said the 58-year-old brand is as relevant as ever, and that harnessing its power … view
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Friday 22nd September 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Franchising folly, playing the game, closures
Authors: Elliott Goldstein, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows

Franchising folly by Elliott Goldstein 

Brands in the quick service restauran … view
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Friday 22nd September 2023
Update: Comptoir Group H1 results, Asahi, consumer confidence, Diageo
Comptoir Group – Trading continues to be impacted by significant events outside of our direct control: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator, saw its profit decline in the six months to 2 July 2023, as it said its tra … view
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Friday 22nd September 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Selby – the opportunity to be the national Mexican brand is still there: Mark Selby, co-founder of Wahaca and DF Tacos, has said the opportunity for the business to be the national Mexican brand is still there, and he is excited by the … view
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Thursday 21st September 2023
JD Wetherspoon puts another ten pubs on market, Boxpark appoints Paul Thandi as new chairman
JD Wetherspoon puts another ten pubs on market: JD Wetherspoon has appointed Savills and CBRE to sell another ten of its pubs. The properties, which are all freehold, are located in town and city centre locations across England and Wales … view
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Thursday 21st September 2023
Update: City Pub Group H1 lfls up 14%, SSP, Thai Leisure Group
City Pub Group H1 lfl sales up 14%, well placed to take advantage of new acquisition opportunities: City Pub Group, the owner and operator of premium pubs across southern England and Wales, has this morning reported that its trading conti … view
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Thursday 21st September 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Imbiba-backed Ninja Warrior operator set to launch The Chase concept as it heads for London before going global: Imbiba-backed Ninja Warrior operator Leisure TV Rights (LTR) is set to launch an experiential concept based on ITV’s The Ch … view
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Wednesday 20th September 2023
Scottish government proposes increasing minimum unit price of alcohol to 65p
Scottish government proposes increasing minimum unit price of alcohol to 65p: The Scottish government is to consult on a proposal to raise the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol to 65p. A 50p minimum price per unit was introduced in 2018 … view
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Wednesday 20th September 2023
Exclusive: hospitality tech companies me&u and Mr Yum merge
Exclusive – hospitality tech companies me&u and Mr Yum merge: Australian-founded tech scale-ups me&u and Mr Yum have joined forces in an all-stock merger, “to become the world’s number one mobile ordering, payments and marketing pla … view
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Wednesday 20th September 2023
Update: Ten Entertainment H1, Wingstop, Adnams, Tiger Woods
Ten Entertainment Group year to date like-for-like sales up 4.7%: Ten Entertainment Group, the operator of 51 bowling and family entertainment centres, has said that year to date its like-for-like sales to 10 September were up 4.7% on the … view
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Wednesday 20th September 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Snowflake aiming to grow to 160 sites in next five years with business preparing to scale globally at pace: London premium gelato brand Snowflake is aiming to grow to 160 sites in the next five years with the business preparing to scale g … view
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Tuesday 19th September 2023
Exclusive: Arc Inspirations outperforming the market as it plans London debut next year
Exclusive – Arc Inspirations outperforming the market as it plans London debut next year: Arc Inspirations, the Martin Wolstencroft-led, premium bar operator, has said in its current financial year it has “consistently outperform the … view
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Tuesday 19th September 2023
Update: Big Mamma Group, Heartwood Collection, Starbucks, C&C Group
Big Mamma Group – new investment will allow us to become a global brand in affordable, experiential luxury dining: Victor Lugger, co-founder of the Big Mamma Group, which has secured new backing from McWin, has said that the new investm … view
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Tuesday 19th September 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Market Halls to return to the expansion trail on the back of strong FY performance: Market Halls, the London-based food market hall operator, is to return to the expansion trail, with plans to launch regionally. It comes after the Gees Co … view
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Tuesday 19th September 2023
Market Halls to return to the expansion trail on the back of strong FY performance
Market Halls to return to the expansion trail on the back of strong FY performance: Market Halls, the London-based food market hall operator, is to return to the expansion trail, with plans to launch regionally. It comes after the Gees Co … view
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Monday 18th September 2023
Exclusive: McWin acquires majority stake in Big Mamma Group, company valued at €270m
Exclusive: McWin acquires majority stake in Big Mamma Group, company valued at €270m as global expansion planned: McWin, the investment firm of food industry entrepreneurs Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar which backs the likes of Vapiano an … view
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Monday 18th September 2023
Update: Pub numbers, WFH impact, John Vincent, Nando’s
Last orders as pubs closing at faster rate across the country: The number of pubs being demolished or converted for other uses has risen by more than 50%, figures show. The Times reports that in the three months to June 30 there were 230 … view
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Monday 18th September 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Tim Hortons plans significant expansion of UK estate, launches franchise model: Canadian quick service restaurant brand Tim Hortons is planning significant growth of its 75-strong UK estate, as it launches a franchise model here for the f … view
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Saturday 16th September 2023
Exclusive: ASK co-founder to launch new concept, Brixton Academy, Center Parcs
Exclusive – ASK and Zizzi co-founder to launch new restaurant concept Chubby Bunny: Adam Kaye, who with his brother Sam, founded the ASK Italian and Zizzi restaurant brands, is to launch a new concept called Chubby Bunny, in central Lon … view
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Friday 15th September 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The chocolate chips are down, in defence of dynamic pricing, seeking the new generation of hospitality hidden gems
Authors: Katherine Doggrell, Glynn Davis, Sandra Kelly

The chocolate chi … view

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Friday 15th September 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Sandbox VR UK co-founder – we could do more than 30 sites now, Birmingham outperforming London already: Sandbox VR UK co-founder Andy Scanlon has told Propel the concept could do more than 30 sites here now and that its new Birmingham B … view
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Thursday 14th September 2023
Exclusive: D&D London to close Haugen site as deadline for offers nears
Exclusive – D&D London to close Haugen site as deadline for offers nears: D&D London is expected to leave its Haugen, Stratford site this autumn, Propel understands. Haugen was described as a three-story Bauhaus behemoth when it opened in 20 … view
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Thursday 14th September 2023
Update: Chick-fil-A targets 2025 for UK relaunch, aiming for five sites within first two years
Chick-fil-A targets 2025 for UK relaunch, aiming for five sites within first two years: US fast food brand Chick-fil-A has targeted 2025 for a relaunch in the UK and is aiming for five sites within the first two years. Propel revealed in … view
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Thursday 14th September 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Exclusive – Amber Taverns like-for-likes up 12.5% on back of strong FY trading and continued expansion: Amber Taverns, the wet-led, freehold community pub operator, has said current like-for-likes sales across its circa 165-strong estat … view
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Wednesday 13th September 2023
Legal Briefing

Drug prevention: how do we make the impossible possible by Leigh Schelvis

As we head into an unusually warm September and the twilight of the British summer, we also bid farewell to another brilliant music festival season. Much like prev … view
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Wednesday 13th September 2023
Four charged over Patisserie Valerie collapse
Four charged over Patisserie Valerie collapse: Four people have been charged in connection with the collapse of Patisserie Valerie in 2018. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has charged former director and chief financial officer of Patisser … view
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Wednesday 13th September 2023
Update: Loungers opens 200th Lounge site, Wendy’s confirms next six UK openings
Loungers opens 200th Lounge site, expects to create in excess of 1,000 new jobs in current year: Cafe bar operator Loungers has opened the 200th site under its Lounge concept and said it expects to create in excess of 1,000 new jobs in the cur … view
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Wednesday 13th September 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Big Table Group set to test new fast-casual concepts: The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Banana Tree, Café Rouge and Bella Italia, has appointed Johanna Selin, formerly of Marks & Spencer, Wagamama, Pret and Coco Di Mama, … view
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Wednesday 13th September 2023
Managed like-for-likes up 5.3% in August but growth at lowest rate since March as weather dampens sales
Managed like-for-likes up 5.3% in August but growth at lowest rate since March as weather dampens sales: Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups overcame some dismal summer weather to record like-for-like sales growth of 5.3% in Aug … view
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Tuesday 12th September 2023
Update: Stonegate’s dynamic pricing, al fresco smoking, Fever-Tree and Gym Group results
Stonegate charging drinkers more during peak times through ‘dynamic pricing’ system: Britain’s biggest pub chain is charging drinkers more at the busiest times with “dynamic” surcharges that make a pint of beer 20p more expensive at … view
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Tuesday 12th September 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Morgan – we will review all the acquired TRG properties to understand best fit across portfolio: Alan Morgan chief executive of the Big Table Group, has told Propel that when it comes to conversion of the 75 sites it is acquiring from T … view
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Monday 11th September 2023
Opinion Special: Turning tables

Turning tables by Mark Wingett

“Brave”, “bold” and “bonkers” are just some of the words given to me in reply to the news at the weekend that Big Table Group was in advanced talks to acquire The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) leis … view
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Monday 11th September 2023
Update: The Restaurant Group agrees sale of Leisure division for £1, Various Eateries CEO steps down
The Restaurant Group agrees sale of Leisure division to Big Table Group for £1: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has agreed the sale of its Leisure division to the Big Table Group for £1. The group said it has entered into an agreement for the sal … view
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Monday 11th September 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Exclusive – St Austell acquires The Bath Pub Company: St Austell Brewery has acquired The Bath Pub Company, Propel has learned. The deal, for an undisclosed amount, sees St Austell take over the operation of The Bath Pub Company’s fou … view
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Monday 11th September 2023
Exclusive: St Austell acquires The Bath Pub Company
Exclusive – St Austell acquires The Bath Pub Company: St Austell Brewery has acquired The Bath Pub Company, Propel has learned. The deal, for an undisclosed amount, sees St Austell take over the operation of The Bath Pub Company’s four sit … view
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Saturday 9th September 2023
The Restaurant Group confirms advanced talks to sell its Leisure division to Big Table Group
The Restaurant Group confirms advanced talks to sell its Leisure division to Big Table Group: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has confirmed it is in advanced talks to sell its Leisure division to Big Table Group. It follows reports earlier today th … view
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Friday 8th September 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The impact of CBILS, older guests calling the shots in hospitality now, beer lists, why employee engagement starts with the payroll team
Authors: David Roberts, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows, Scott Read
view
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Friday 8th September 2023
Update: TRG chairman to step down, Hostmore CFO to leave, ‘tourist tax’
Ken Hanna to step down as chairman of TRG: The Restaurant Group (TRG), the Wagamama and Brunning & Price owner, has announced that its chairman, Ken Hanna has informed the company of his intention not to seek re-election at the group’s … view
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Friday 8th September 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
French multi-brand business targets UK as ‘number one market’ as it looks to roll out internationally through franchising: French multi-brand business Groupe Delineo has told Propel the UK is its “number one target market” as it l … view
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Thursday 7th September 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Food inflation in hospitality slows slightly as retail prices begin to fall: Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index fell marginally to 21.7% year-on-year in July. Despite the slight fall of 0.9 percentage points … view
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Thursday 7th September 2023
Food inflation in hospitality slows slightly as retail prices begin to fall
Food inflation in hospitality slows slightly as retail prices begin to fall: Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index fell marginally to 21.7% year-on-year in July. Despite the slight fall of 0.9 percentage points, inf … view
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Wednesday 6th September 2023
Update: TRG sees strong H1 trading, services sector, management training
TRG reports strong H1 trading: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has this morning reported strong like-for-like sales and adjusted Ebitda growth for the for the 26 weeks ended 2 July 2023, driven by the performance of its Wagamama, Pubs and Concessio … view
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Wednesday 6th September 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
More than 350 sector businesses urge Ofgem to take swift action to improve energy market: UKHospitality and more than 350 hospitality businesses, representing thousands of venues, have presented a united front to Ofgem. They demonstrating … view
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Tuesday 5th September 2023
Spa queen Dorothy Purdew passes away
Spa queen Dorothy Purdew passes away: One of the world’s most influential spa operators, Dorothy Purdew, the entrepreneurial force behind Champneys, which employs more than 2,000 people, has passed away. Dorothy Purdew, 91, opened her f … view
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Tuesday 5th September 2023
Honest Burgers to launch crowdfunding campaign, plans new QSR format
Honest Burgers to launch crowdfunding campaign, plans new QSR format: Honest Burgers, the Active Partners-backed business, is to launch a crowdfunding campaign later this month, as it looks to return to the expansion trail and launch new premi … view
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Tuesday 5th September 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Dodo Pizza UK chief ‘frustrated’ at having to scrap ‘fabulous project’ of building up to 100 stores here as last site ceases trading, liquidation ‘not an option’: Dodo Pizza’s UK business development lead David Sweeney has t … view
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Monday 4th September 2023
Update: Bill’s ‘back on track’, business rates, pay growth, ex-Hawthorn Leisure CEO
Slimmed-down Bill’s restaurant group is ready for more: The owner of the Bill’s restaurant group said the business was “back on track” after stringent cost-cutting and an estate review. Richard Caring, who also owns The Ivy Collec … view
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Monday 4th September 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Pizza Hut UK Ebitda per site down 9% on a decade ago: Pizza Hut UK’s Ebitda per site is down 9% on a decade ago, as it looks to refinance ahead of repaying £31m of its £73m of debts by April 2024. Franchisee Heart with Smart owns all … view
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Friday 1st September 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The fight for power – how we’re keeping hospitality’s lights on, budgeting for top-line sales growth in a cut back economy, is dining out becoming a luxury once more, a numbers game
Authors: Kate Nicholls, Ann … view
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Friday 1st September 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Haven CEO – staycation trend here to stay, demand strong but price sensitive, occupancy rates at record levels: Haven managing director Simon Palethorpe has told Propel that the staycation trend is here to stay, with demand “strong bu … view
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