Comment
Comment features expert perspectives and thought leadership from across the UK retail industry. This section includes opinion pieces, analysis, and commentary from senior retail executives, analysts, and sector specialists on the commercial, strategic, and operational forces shaping retail. Retail Sector’s Comment coverage explores issues such as consumer behaviour shifts, technology adoption, sustainability, regulation, and leadership — providing retail professionals with authoritative insight to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
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Dec- 2025 -17 December
2025 was retail’s TikTok Shop proof of concept
2025 marked a turning point in retail’s relationship with TikTok Shop globally, especially in the UK. This was the year in which we convincingly saw the platform shift from experimental to commercial reality, with shopper numbers on the platform up 131% year-on-year. It demonstrated that social commerce is no longer…
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1 December
Driving innovation: the role of data in modern logistics
In the era of digital transformation and connected supply chains, data is at the heart of every innovation in modern logistics. From tracking deliveries in real time to ensuring regulatory compliance, digital data solutions are revolutionising how goods move across the world. For instance, the adoption of a digital tachograph…
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Nov- 2025 -24 November
Three hotspots for peak-proofing supply chains
BFCM sales spike Various reports suggest a bumper BFCM for retailers and consumer brands. VoucherCodes predicts UK consumers will spend up to a total of £9.52bn across this year’s BFCM weekend. Data from the Nationwide building society estimates more than 12 million transactions will be made on the first day…
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17 November
Is your proof of delivery fit for today’s shopper?
A £500 games console, the weekly groceries or a repeat prescription from the chemist. Whatever the item is, today’s consumers are monitoring packages in real time, with eagle-eyed attention and rising expectations that delivery will be smooth and hassle-free. When parcels are now going from checkout to doorstep in hours,…
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11 November
Flexible working: the new norm retailers can’t afford to ignore
Flexible working changed during the pandemic and for many it offered a newfound sense of balance. But five years on, flexibility is under pressure. Across the sector, “return-to-office” mandates are on the rise. John Lewis is one example, now requiring its commercial teams to spend “at least three days a…
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11 November
Protecting your culture, identity, and people when inviting private equity investment
Private equity (PE) investment can provide a lifeline for struggling retailers with turnaround potential. PE firms can purchase these assets, install new management, and apply their expertise and network to get the business back to profitability, re-establishing its place in the market. For promising retailers, the capital, expertise, and commercial…
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6 November
How does installing an EV charging hub boost the value of your retail site?
The transition to EVs is not just a shift in how people purchase vehicles, it is a fundamental realignment of which businesses can profit from the expansion of transport infrastructure. Retail site owners are well positioned to capitalise on this change, as the market has shifted from the presence of…
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Oct- 2025 -3 October
D2C: From Ding Dong to Tik Tok
2025 is a milestone year for UK D2C retail body the UK Direct Selling Association, with the organisation celebrating its 60th year, and marking six decades in which all areas of retail – not least D2C – have borne witness to significant consumer change. Established in 1965 to ‘represent the…
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Sep- 2025 -29 September
The dos and don’ts of installing EV chargers at retail parks
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating across the UK, and retail parks are uniquely suited to support this shift. With more EVs on the road, the demand for good locations to charge is paramount. With their large car parks and numerous amenities, retail parks are well suited for hosting an…
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10 September
Rethinking retail rewards in an era of ad fatigue
UK consumers are navigating a relentless wave of marketing exposure. Estimates suggest the average person sees between 6,000 and 10,000 brand messages each day, and nearly a quarter (23.7%) of adults now actively block ads online. For retailers, this raises a fundamental challenge: if customers are tuning out, how do…
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