Kien Tan
@kientan74.bsky.social
Retail consultant and analyst by day, gym instructor and beer drinker by night.
All about shops, pubs, planes, gyms... and the views are mine, all mine.
All about shops, pubs, planes, gyms... and the views are mine, all mine.
Pinned
Kien Tan
@kientan74.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Right. Where are you at #Retail people? Surely you can’t all be hanging out on LinkedIn and Threads? The best retail bantz is gonna be here.
HMU if you want to be added…
go.bsky.app/ThbCH86
HMU if you want to be added…
go.bsky.app/ThbCH86
Reposted by Kien Tan
Today is the first day of Ramadan, the first day of Adar, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Laissez bon temps rouler!
Hodesh Adar tov!
Y'ALL
⭐
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Laissez bon temps rouler!
Hodesh Adar tov!
Y'ALL
⭐
February 17, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Today is the first day of Ramadan, the first day of Adar, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
This means that for one reason or another, the majority of humans on the planet have a reason to eat fried food, and that is beautiful.
I feel attacked 😤
The stereotype over 50s find most irritating is that they’re bad with technology
The stereotypes over-50s find most irritating are they’re bad with technology, stuck in the past – and all well-off.
www.newsshopper.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 6:50 PM
I feel attacked 😤
From my insta ads just now…
1. Fire sale… already?!
2. When was Christmas again?
1. Fire sale… already?!
2. When was Christmas again?
February 17, 2026 at 3:19 PM
From my insta ads just now…
1. Fire sale… already?!
2. When was Christmas again?
1. Fire sale… already?!
2. When was Christmas again?
🎄 Looking for a ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶ early Christmas tree-shaped home accessory? Sainsbury’s has got you more than covered!
(actually, the “Under The Mistletoe” diffuser looks kinda nice for a bargain £3.75!)
(actually, the “Under The Mistletoe” diffuser looks kinda nice for a bargain £3.75!)
February 17, 2026 at 12:41 PM
🎄 Looking for a ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶ early Christmas tree-shaped home accessory? Sainsbury’s has got you more than covered!
(actually, the “Under The Mistletoe” diffuser looks kinda nice for a bargain £3.75!)
(actually, the “Under The Mistletoe” diffuser looks kinda nice for a bargain £3.75!)
🚄 In 2003, HS1 between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel was completed, and China had no high speed rail.
Since then, China has built 50,000km of high speed lines - enough to circle the globe.
And the UK is... still arguing about bat tunnels 🤦♂️
Since then, China has built 50,000km of high speed lines - enough to circle the globe.
And the UK is... still arguing about bat tunnels 🤦♂️
China’s high-speed rail network accelerates world’s largest human migration
Lunar new year travel is taking place faster than ever
www.ft.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:25 AM
🚄 In 2003, HS1 between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel was completed, and China had no high speed rail.
Since then, China has built 50,000km of high speed lines - enough to circle the globe.
And the UK is... still arguing about bat tunnels 🤦♂️
Since then, China has built 50,000km of high speed lines - enough to circle the globe.
And the UK is... still arguing about bat tunnels 🤦♂️
What a genius idea to build railway sidings (=more tube trains) and housing (desperately needed) on derelict land next to Totteridge & Whetstone station - right near where I grew up...
...obviously being a great idea, it will get bogged down in planning and never happen, but one can hope 🤞 #YIMBY
...obviously being a great idea, it will get bogged down in planning and never happen, but one can hope 🤞 #YIMBY
February 17, 2026 at 9:18 AM
What a genius idea to build railway sidings (=more tube trains) and housing (desperately needed) on derelict land next to Totteridge & Whetstone station - right near where I grew up...
...obviously being a great idea, it will get bogged down in planning and never happen, but one can hope 🤞 #YIMBY
...obviously being a great idea, it will get bogged down in planning and never happen, but one can hope 🤞 #YIMBY
You may not like MO’L, but he is a shrewd businessman who gives the public what they want (200 million of them last year), at prices better than competitors, while consistently making profits that Punks can only dream of.
MO’L and Watt are Not The Same.
MO’L and Watt are Not The Same.
He sounds like a psychopathic version of Michael O'Leary.
February 16, 2026 at 9:59 PM
You may not like MO’L, but he is a shrewd businessman who gives the public what they want (200 million of them last year), at prices better than competitors, while consistently making profits that Punks can only dream of.
MO’L and Watt are Not The Same.
MO’L and Watt are Not The Same.
This is some kind of allegory for something, isn't it?
Watch Amazon van stuck in water near Southend
The driver had been following his GPS, coastguards say.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:30 PM
This is some kind of allegory for something, isn't it?
💕 Some lucky lover is gonna get a half-price tear and share Love Cookie from Aldi tonight! 🥰
February 14, 2026 at 12:29 PM
💕 Some lucky lover is gonna get a half-price tear and share Love Cookie from Aldi tonight! 🥰
Looks like it's over for the Punks...
BrewDog owners call time on craft beer pioneer
The producer of Punk IPA and Elvis Juice has called in AlixPartners to run a sale process which could prompt the break-up of one of Scotland's best-known consumer businesses, Sky News learns.
news.sky.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Looks like it's over for the Punks...
Reposted by Kien Tan
PwC somehow more lucid on AI and education than most university leaders these days
February 13, 2026 at 6:52 AM
PwC somehow more lucid on AI and education than most university leaders these days
📊 There has been a consistent issue around “seasonal adjustment” of retail sales by the ONS since the pandemic, inexplicably under and over-estimating the impact of Black Friday, Christmas, Easter, school holidays… Looks like this problem has affected GDP numbers too
Today's ONS data confirmed a bit of a pattern: since 2022, Q1 has always been the strongest quarter for GDP growth, Q2 the second strongest and Q3 and Q4 third or fourth.
The ONS looked into this in September and didn't find a problem, but not all economists are convinced...
The ONS looked into this in September and didn't find a problem, but not all economists are convinced...
February 13, 2026 at 8:19 AM
📊 There has been a consistent issue around “seasonal adjustment” of retail sales by the ONS since the pandemic, inexplicably under and over-estimating the impact of Black Friday, Christmas, Easter, school holidays… Looks like this problem has affected GDP numbers too
☔️ Like, you just KNOW there’s going to be a hosepipe ban in summer, don’t you?
February 11, 2026 at 5:57 PM
☔️ Like, you just KNOW there’s going to be a hosepipe ban in summer, don’t you?
🇲🇾 Ok, it’s not *quite* as backward as this article suggests (a lot more than 30% drink alcohol, Carlsberg/Tiger are locally brewed, hoppy IPAs via Brooklyn/Aussie imports), but Paperkite has done an excellent job establishing a true local craft brewery - wish it was better distributed in KL though
It's pretty huge to have a craft brewery in Malaysia. Great snippet this
fredgarrattstanley.substack.com/p/alvin-lims...
fredgarrattstanley.substack.com/p/alvin-lims...
Alvin Lim’s mission to build an independent beer brand for Malaysia
The founder of Paperkite Brewery is flying the flag for beer in a country where most people don’t drink, and making serious progress
fredgarrattstanley.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:27 AM
🇲🇾 Ok, it’s not *quite* as backward as this article suggests (a lot more than 30% drink alcohol, Carlsberg/Tiger are locally brewed, hoppy IPAs via Brooklyn/Aussie imports), but Paperkite has done an excellent job establishing a true local craft brewery - wish it was better distributed in KL though
Reposted by Kien Tan
"Was 2025 as bad as it felt? No. It was simply not the year we all expected. Is 2026 without risk? Absolutely not."
Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/im-o...
Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/im-o...
‘I’m optimistic about UK retail even though this will be a finely balanced year’
Last year was not the disaster many retailers feared and 2026 will not be without risk. Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC's Lisa Hooker.
www.retail-week.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:49 AM
"Was 2025 as bad as it felt? No. It was simply not the year we all expected. Is 2026 without risk? Absolutely not."
Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/im-o...
Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/im-o...
Reposted by Kien Tan
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Britain’s barmy planning system:
Got notice of a planning appeal 2 blocks from my flat. Application to paint shopfront black rejected because “not in keeping with the local conservation area”
The conservation area… 🤦♂️
1. Who cares what colour it is?
2. What a waste of time and money
Got notice of a planning appeal 2 blocks from my flat. Application to paint shopfront black rejected because “not in keeping with the local conservation area”
The conservation area… 🤦♂️
1. Who cares what colour it is?
2. What a waste of time and money
February 8, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Britain’s barmy planning system:
Got notice of a planning appeal 2 blocks from my flat. Application to paint shopfront black rejected because “not in keeping with the local conservation area”
The conservation area… 🤦♂️
1. Who cares what colour it is?
2. What a waste of time and money
Got notice of a planning appeal 2 blocks from my flat. Application to paint shopfront black rejected because “not in keeping with the local conservation area”
The conservation area… 🤦♂️
1. Who cares what colour it is?
2. What a waste of time and money
No, no, no... This was an *invaluable* source of information growing up and in my first job(s) - y'know, in pre-Google, pre-Wikipedia times (can you imagine, my kids?). It truly made the world a smaller place.
HT @martysg.com
HT @martysg.com
The Factbook survived the Cold War and became a hit online. It mixed quirky cultural notes and trivia with maps, data, and photos taken by CIA officers. But it was discontinued this week.
The CIA World Factbook is dead. Here's how I came to love it
The Factbook survived the Cold War and became a hit online. It mixed quirky cultural notes and trivia with maps, data, and photos taken by CIA officers. But it was discontinued this week.
n.pr
February 7, 2026 at 11:11 PM
No, no, no... This was an *invaluable* source of information growing up and in my first job(s) - y'know, in pre-Google, pre-Wikipedia times (can you imagine, my kids?). It truly made the world a smaller place.
HT @martysg.com
HT @martysg.com
🤳 Manchester ok, booking-dot-com?
*Manchester*, not Makkah… Just because my fat fingers pressed the wrong city, stop sending me notifications about places to stay and things to do in *Makkah* 🤦♂️
*Manchester*, not Makkah… Just because my fat fingers pressed the wrong city, stop sending me notifications about places to stay and things to do in *Makkah* 🤦♂️
February 7, 2026 at 9:38 AM
🤳 Manchester ok, booking-dot-com?
*Manchester*, not Makkah… Just because my fat fingers pressed the wrong city, stop sending me notifications about places to stay and things to do in *Makkah* 🤦♂️
*Manchester*, not Makkah… Just because my fat fingers pressed the wrong city, stop sending me notifications about places to stay and things to do in *Makkah* 🤦♂️
Reposted by Kien Tan
Because supermarkets are not allowed to "promote" high-sugar food by placing them at the end of an aisle, the puddings in Asda's Valentine's Meal Deal have to be moved around the corner🙄
(Great spot by @dresserman on X)
(Great spot by @dresserman on X)
February 5, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Because supermarkets are not allowed to "promote" high-sugar food by placing them at the end of an aisle, the puddings in Asda's Valentine's Meal Deal have to be moved around the corner🙄
(Great spot by @dresserman on X)
(Great spot by @dresserman on X)
🚨 You can’t say there isn’t a societal problem when 92% of Brits say shoplifting is common, making UK shops appear more vulnerable to crime that literally anywhere else in the world…
Fascinating stuff from @retailweek.bsky.social
Fascinating stuff from @retailweek.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 11:05 AM
🚨 You can’t say there isn’t a societal problem when 92% of Brits say shoplifting is common, making UK shops appear more vulnerable to crime that literally anywhere else in the world…
Fascinating stuff from @retailweek.bsky.social
Fascinating stuff from @retailweek.bsky.social
🍺 Niche pub news for City folk:
The Hoop and Grapes on Farringdon Street has finally reopened… and busy with mysterious balloons on the roof… Let’s hope the beer is better kept than before it closed 😬
The Hoop and Grapes on Farringdon Street has finally reopened… and busy with mysterious balloons on the roof… Let’s hope the beer is better kept than before it closed 😬
February 4, 2026 at 7:29 PM
🍺 Niche pub news for City folk:
The Hoop and Grapes on Farringdon Street has finally reopened… and busy with mysterious balloons on the roof… Let’s hope the beer is better kept than before it closed 😬
The Hoop and Grapes on Farringdon Street has finally reopened… and busy with mysterious balloons on the roof… Let’s hope the beer is better kept than before it closed 😬
🧮 One for the tax experts: the £6.50 Pret Meal Deal is to take away. If #VAT is charged on sandwiches to eat in and the saving is £3.30, how much VAT should be charged?
If the whole discount is applied to the sandwich* and not proportionally across all items, then it's 42p, not the 68p charged here!
If the whole discount is applied to the sandwich* and not proportionally across all items, then it's 42p, not the 68p charged here!
February 4, 2026 at 12:34 PM
🧮 One for the tax experts: the £6.50 Pret Meal Deal is to take away. If #VAT is charged on sandwiches to eat in and the saving is £3.30, how much VAT should be charged?
If the whole discount is applied to the sandwich* and not proportionally across all items, then it's 42p, not the 68p charged here!
If the whole discount is applied to the sandwich* and not proportionally across all items, then it's 42p, not the 68p charged here!
Reposted by Kien Tan
I think it was @kientan74.bsky.social I saw talking about a "vibes based recession". Things feel recessiony, even if they're actually not, which ends up manifesting an actual recession.
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 AM
I think it was @kientan74.bsky.social I saw talking about a "vibes based recession". Things feel recessiony, even if they're actually not, which ends up manifesting an actual recession.
🍺 “With every change the beer became more and more enjoyable, says the brewer”
tbh, I quite liked it when it was one of the few consistently widely-distributed Viennas (and then IPLs) 😒
tbh, I quite liked it when it was one of the few consistently widely-distributed Viennas (and then IPLs) 😒
Lost and Grounded Brewers’ popular Running With Sceptres beer is evolving — into a 5.2% ABV IPA, the Bristol based business has announced beertoday.co.uk/2026/02/03/l... #beer #beernews #IPA @lostandgrounded.bsky.social
Running With Sceptres: from lager to IPL to IPA - Beer Today
Lost and Grounded Brewers' popular Running With Sceptres beer is evolving — into a 5.2% ABV IPA, the Bristol based business has announced
beertoday.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
🍺 “With every change the beer became more and more enjoyable, says the brewer”
tbh, I quite liked it when it was one of the few consistently widely-distributed Viennas (and then IPLs) 😒
tbh, I quite liked it when it was one of the few consistently widely-distributed Viennas (and then IPLs) 😒