Meet the boutique owner selling clothing and accessories that's bang on trend
Judith Finney opened the shop alongside other small businesses in The Design Outlet in June last year.
Here, in our latest Business of the Week feature, owner Judith tells us about The Pink Giraffe and how it all started.
If you would like your business to feature as Business or Trader of the Week, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk
The Pink Giraffe owner Judith Finney
What's the name of the business?
The Pink Giraffe boutique
What's the address?
Units 1 & 2 Navigation Road,
Northwich,
CW8 1BE
Are you the owner/manager?
I am the owner
When did you open the business?
I opened my business in June 2024 alongside other small businesses in The Design Outlet.
Has it always been in the same location?
Yes, it's always been here.
The Pink Giraffe is in The Design Outlet on Navigation Road in Northwich
Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?
I was born in Northwich and I have lived here all my life.
Tell me a bit about your business
I own a ladies' boutique which provides on trend fashion. I give advice, hopefully advising and guiding the customer to the correct purchases.
READ MORE:
Unique business serves the Winsford community for more than 40 years
What do you do? What services do you provide?
I sell clothing and accessories which I believe are at very affordable prices.
Why did you decide to open your own business? What's your business background?
I have worked in retail most of my working life but never dreamt that one day I would own my own until The Design Outlet was opened by Susan and Andy and that made my dreams a reality.
Ladies fashion that is on trend
What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?
I feel that we can offer that little bit more with working in The Design Outlet which is working alongside other businesses and also a tearoom, which makes all the shopping experiences under one roof. It is open seven days a week.
READ MORE:
Unique gifts and homeware in the heart of Northwich town centre
Were you open before/during/after the Covid-19 pandemic? How did this affect your business?
We are a very new business that wasn't open during Covid.
The Pink Giraffe opened in June last year
Why do loyal customers return to your business?
I am already seeing lots of returning customers which is fantastic.
What's next? What do the next few months hold for you and your business?
My future plans are to keep the pink giraffe growing from strength to strength and making even more customers happy with their shopping experience. I'll be watching all our weekly lives that we do on Facebook.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
US Layoffs Are Slowing, But Companies Are Staying 'Cautious' on Hiring
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Job cuts slowed significantly in June, according to a report released Wednesday, bucking the trend of mass layoffs and government-sector redundancies that has defined the first half of 2025. According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CGC), U.S.-based employers announced 47,999 job cuts last month, a 49 percent drop from the 93,816 in May. It also was 2 percent lower than the 48,786 announced the same month last year. Why It Matters The year has been marked by a surge in layoffs across the tech and retail sectors, as well as an unprecedented reduction in headcounts at government agencies driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While CGC's report shows that the trend may be slowing, other data released Wednesday point to sustained difficulties for the U.S. labor market. People line up as they wait for the Mega JobNewsUSA South Florida Job Fair to open at Amerant Bank Arena on April 30, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. People line up as they wait for the Mega JobNewsUSA South Florida Job Fair to open at Amerant Bank Arena on April 30, 2025, in Sunrise, To Know According to CGC, the second quarter of 2025 saw 247,256 job cuts. Despite improvements in June, it still marks the highest total for the three-month period since 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when 1.2 million cuts were announced. It is also up 39 percent from the 177,391 announced in the second quarter of 2024, but less than half of the 497,052 announced last quarter. Planned layoffs have totaled 744,308 this year, the highest first-half total since 2020, and rivaling the 896,675 announced in the first half of 2009 following the financial crisis. June saw the continuation of government-sector job cuts, with 3,801 announced, up from 2,600 in May. That brings the total for the year to 288,628, many of which CGC attributes to the actions of DOGE. However, the firm noted that many remain in "legal limbo" because of court challenges to the department's cost-cutting efforts. By sector, retail has led the private sector in terms of job cuts this year at 79,865, up 255 percent from the first half of 2024. The sector has long struggled as a result of declining foot traffic and the rise of e-commerce, and has more recently grappled with inflation, tariffs and the impact of both on consumer confidence and spending. Announced planned hires dropped to 3,191 in June, CGC also found, the lowest monthly total this year and well below this year's monthly average of 13,822. CGC's analysis coincides with the release of the ADP National Employment Report, a monthly measure of changes in private-sector employment in the U.S. It showed that private payrolls dropped by 33,000 jobs in June, following a downwardly revised increase of 29,000 in May. This was far below the consensus forecast of economists, who had penciled in an increase of 95,000, and marks the first decline since March 2023. The drop was led by losses in the services sector, particularly in roles tied to professional and business services, as well as health and education. This was only partially offset by boosts to hiring on the goods-producing side. What People Are Saying Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas: "The bulk of companies cited economic conditions last month. We saw some DOGE activity and have tracked over 2,000 jobs directly attributed to tariffs this year, but for the most part it was a quiet June. "Hiring announcements in 2025 suggest a cautious but stabilizing labor market. While companies are clearly adding workers at a higher rate than in 2024, the restraint shown relative to previous years indicates continued uncertainty around costs, automation, and the broader economic outlook. Without a strong economic driver, hiring may remain measured through the rest of the year." Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP: "Though layoffs continue to be rare, a hesitancy to hire and a reluctance to replace departing workers led to job losses last month." Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank, in comments shared with Newsweek: "Tariff hikes and policy uncertainty gave employers reason to be cautious toward hiring in the second quarter. The Israel-Iran war was a further reason to put hiring plans on hold in June. "Hiring will likely stay slow in the second half of 2025. Ordinarily, job growth malingering at the second-quarter's sluggish pace for half a year would translate into a meaningful increase in the unemployment rate, which would pressure the Fed to cut rates this fall." What Happens Next The next key jobs data comes on Thursday morning, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its nonfarm payrolls report for June. This is following a stronger-than-expected May that saw the addition of 139,000 jobs. Analysts polled by TradingEconomics anticipate 100,000-job increase for June and for the U.S. unemployment rate to remain flat at 4.2 percent.
Associated Press
32 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Why Central Banks Around the World Are Piling on Their Gold Reserves – And What It Means for Retail Investors
07/02/2025, London,England // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // In recent years, central banks have been making a quiet yet powerful move: buying gold—lots of it. From China and India to Turkey and Poland, countries are adding to their gold stockpiles at the fastest rate in decades. But why is this happening now, and what should retail investors make of it? Let's dig into the motivations behind this global gold rush and what it means for you, especially in the age of the so-called 'Gold Bank'. 𝑨 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚 The world's central banks added over 1,000 tonnes of gold to their reserves in 2023 alone—the highest annual purchase on record, according to the World Gold Council. What's driving this move isn't just financial. It's strategic. Gold has always been a hedge. Against inflation. Against currency collapse. Against geopolitical tension. Central banks—whose job is to manage national currencies and monetary policy—are increasingly uneasy about the US dollar's dominance and the state of the global economy. That unease is translating into action. Take China, for instance. The People's Bank of China has been steadily increasing its gold reserves month after month. Part of this is about diversifying away from the dollar. Holding gold insulates a country from the whims of US interest rate hikes and political decisions like sanctions. It's a buffer. A statement. And in times of global friction, it's insurance. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑫𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 Many central banks are nervous about their over-reliance on the US dollar. With the dollar still accounting for around 60% of global reserves, any volatility in the American economy sends shockwaves worldwide. But the geopolitical weaponisation of the dollar—sanctions, asset freezes, and trade restrictions—has made some countries wary of holding too much of their wealth in greenbacks. Gold, in contrast, is neutral. It doesn't rely on the performance of any one country. It can't be frozen, blocked, or sanctioned. It's physical. It's universal. And in uncertain times, that's exactly what institutions crave. 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 Even in developed markets, central banks are under pressure. Inflation may be slowing, but the damage from the post-COVID monetary expansion is still lingering. Interest rates remain volatile. Bond markets have been unpredictable. And while fiat currencies lose value to inflation, gold maintains purchasing power over the long term. Central banks are now viewing gold as a way to stabilise their reserves. Unlike currencies or bonds, gold doesn't carry credit risk or default risk. It's a passive, enduring store of value. In a world full of uncertainty, it's a safety net. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 There's another angle to this: reputation and trust. In many ways, central banks are behaving more like what some are calling a " Gold Bank "—institutions that safeguard real, tangible wealth rather than abstract monetary tools. Think of it this way: if a central bank holds only paper assets—foreign currencies, debt instruments, and derivatives—its reserves are essentially IOUs. But gold is real. Gold is owned. And that's a powerful message to markets, investors, and citizens. The term Gold Bank is starting to gain traction as more national institutions look to gold not just as a reserve asset but as a backbone of financial credibility. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝑰𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓 If central banks are loading up on gold, what should everyday investors take from that? 1. 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚 Gold has always been part of the financial ecosystem, but for years it was sidelined by equities, tech stocks, and crypto. That's changing. The fact that institutional players are reinforcing their gold holdings should signal that it's time for retail investors to reassess their own diversification strategies. Gold is not about explosive gains—it's about protection, preservation, and patience. But with so much institutional demand, even price growth is becoming a factor. Retail investors who get in early may benefit not just from safety, but from steady upside. 2. 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝒔 𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 Whether you hold pounds, euros, or dollars, your money is under threat from inflation and government policy. Central banks know this—and that's why they're moving to hard assets. For retail investors, this should serve as a wake-up call. The value of your savings isn't guaranteed. Gold provides a way to hedge against the erosion of fiat value. 3. 𝑷𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒔. 𝑷𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 There are many ways to invest in gold—ETFs, mining stocks, futures contracts, and physical bullion. The growing appetite among central banks is overwhelmingly for physical gold, not paper proxies. This trend may drive up the premium on physical gold and increase competition for reliable storage. Retail investors should take note: if institutions are opting for real metal over paper, it might be wise to follow their lead. The rise of the Gold Bank mentality means physical custody is back in fashion—for reasons that go beyond price. 4. 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑺 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 Countries like Russia, India, and Brazil are actively building their gold reserves. This could signal a long-term trend of realignment in the global financial system. If BRICS nations begin to trade with each other in gold-backed instruments or local currencies tied to gold, it could reduce global reliance on the dollar and shift the balance of financial power. For investors, this creates both risk and opportunity. Currency markets may become more volatile. Commodities may see increased speculation. And gold could see growing demand—not just as an investment, but as a geopolitical tool. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑨 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒓𝒂? The central bank gold rush isn't just a financial trend—it's a political and strategic one. It reflects the cracks in the old monetary order and the rise of a new one where trust, security, and sovereignty are paramount. The term Gold Bank captures this shift—a move away from fiat dependence and towards real assets. Retail investors should read the writing on the wall. When the most powerful financial institutions in the world start snapping up gold, it's not a fad. It's a signal. Diversification isn't optional anymore—it's essential. Gold isn't just for doomsday preppers or hedge fund managers. It's becoming mainstream again. And for anyone serious about protecting wealth in uncertain times, it might be the smartest play in the book.
Associated Press
33 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Universal Processing Celebrates Grand Opening of New Headquarters, Reinforcing Commitment to Empowering Underserved Businesses
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 2, 2025) - Universal Processing (uP), a leading financial technology company dedicated to empowering underserved businesses across America, is looking towards the future after a star-studded grand opening of its Times Square headquarters. The theme of the night was 'Brick by Brick', a celebration of the people and partnerships that have shaped the company's journey. uP was proud to host many of the people who have been integral to the company's success, and were honored that some of New York's most well-known and influential politicians stopped by the event to make speeches. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Former Governor George Pataki had this to say about uP's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic: 'I want to thank Universal Processing, because without what you did during that terrible time, many of the businesses that New York counts on wouldn't be here today.' It was an honor for uP to be recognized by the former governor, as during the pandemic - when Asian-owned businesses across the city were hit hardest - uP stepped in as a lifeline. The company offered multilingual support, financial relief, PPE, and digital tools to help stabilize their communities. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Former Governor David Patterson also stopped by to applaud uP founder and CEO, Saint Hung: 'For the leadership and all that you have done, for the efforts you waged, and your expansion of concepts that I think is bringing more business to the area and to areas around here…you've done a marvelous job and we look forward to bigger and better things.' [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: New York State Senator Stephen Chan crafted a powerful metaphor for Hung's leadership of the company: 'Everybody here is a cog in this timepiece and everybody must be in their place and work in order for our community, our society, our city to tick,' said Mr. Chan. 'Saint is the driving force in that timepiece. He is the conductor of this symphony, and if everybody plays their part correctly, that's what is going to make it sound good. That's what is going to make it beautiful.' 'Saint Hung is committed to growing small and medium-sized businesses in New York,' said Chairman of the New York State Republican Party, Ed Cox. 'These new headquarters in New York City are about the growth of Universal Processing and about Mr. Hung's and Universal Processing's commitment to New York City. Thank you Mr. Hung.' In a surprise move, New York State Assemblymember Lester Chang awarded Universal Processing with a New York State Assembly Citation. 'I applaud you because you had the foresight, vision, and optimism to create this business,' said Assemblymember Chang. 'Writing a citation for me is easy, but earning a citation is the real work.' [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: 'We know in New York State that it's the small businesses that are the economic engine that drive this great state,' said New York State Assemblymember Al Taylor, 'so thank you for investing, thank you for being a risk taker.' As uP continues to be recognized for its achievements in the fintech space and expand its service offerings, the company remains focused on its mission to democratize access to fintech solutions, helping more businesses move 'uP'. The new headquarters in Times Square marks a significant milestone in this journey, providing a platform for continued growth and impact. It is also particularly meaningful to founder and CEO Saint Hung, whose father - an architect - worked on Philip Johnson's Times Square Redevelopment Project in 1989. 'For me to come back here and stake my claim to Times Square, it's been an effort 36 years in the making,' said Hung. For media inquiries, event details, or partnership opportunities, please contact: Yin Yu uP PR Team [email protected] About Universal Processing Universal Processing is an award-winning fintech and payment solutions provider, specializing in serving underserved businesses and partner channels with full-service payment processing. As a certified Minority-Owned Business, uP is committed to providing transparent, secure, and scalable payment solutions with 24/7 multilingual support. Learn more at To view the source version of this press release, please visit
