Analysis
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Jan- 2019 -11 January
Keeping up with Amazon
Since its inception in the 90s, Amazon has become a global retail giant that has transformed the industry. Whether that transformation is seen as a positive or negative will vary depending on experience and which side of the argument you find yourself. For many retailers, Amazon, and similar online giants…
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3 January
Why the profit warning from ASOS has added to the retail gloom
Retailers are hoping for a busy New Year period following a very tough year of trading. Much of the current market analysis and speculation has placed the blame for a host of high-street insolvencies on a rise in online shopping and skyrocketing rents for stores. However, the recent news that…
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Dec- 2018 -20 December
The shift towards conscious consumerism
The UK’s ethical retail sector has grown by more than £40bn since 2008, with households spending an average of £1,263 on sustainable goods last year according to not-for-profit consultancy Ethical Consumer. With trends like Fairtrade and organic growing in prominence, people are wanting to know more about the provenance of…
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5 December
Why are retail spaces shrinking across England and Wales?
Across the UK, retailers are struggling to survive. This is down to several factors: years of austerity and low wage growth has meant that households have less spending power, the cost of imported goods has risen – as has the national minimum wage – and the trend of “bricks to…
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Nov- 2018 -6 November
Tackling the serial returner – time to ban them?
I think like most online and brick and mortar stores, we’ve noticed an increasing challenge with serial returners. We sell high-end fashion and designer clothing and while our returns rate remains low, particularly compared to industry standards, it’s an issue which has become gradually more problematic for us over time…
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Oct- 2018 -5 October
Innovation in retail: who’s your money on?
No business is immune from the potentially fatal consequences of relying on ‘business as usual’. The recent fates of household brands like Maplin and Toys R Us tell us that. It is true in any industry, but none more so than in retail. Is your business looking in the right…
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Sep- 2018 -25 September
The future’s bright, the future’s automation?
Last month high street stalwart Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced plans to overhaul its customer services department with an AI offering. Its new automated system will enable 640 of the company’s stores and 13 of its UK-based contact centres to automatically route voice calls, determine customer intent, transcribe voice calls…
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14 September
The new Debenhams branding might be ‘joyous’ – but is the in-store experience?
This is a pivotal moment for department stores. The ongoing House of Fraser (HoF) crisis has shown the perils of not keeping up, and just this week former giant John Lewis revealed an incredible 99% dip in profits. It’s a stark warning – but it has also opened up an…
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13 September
How Wesfarmers’ takeover strategy almost sent Homebase ‘down under’
There are few home comforts for Homebase right now. The DIY chain confirmed on August 31 that it will close a further 42 stores later this year, resulting in 1,500 job losses. The home improvement and garden retailer has already shut 16 stores this year, following its acquisition by restructuring…
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Aug- 2018 -30 August
How accessible are shopping centres in the UK?
In 2016, the UK’s population peaked at 65.6 million. Reportedly, 18% of the population were aged 65 and over. With an ageing population, are businesses accommodating for elderly people and their differing needs? Similarly, are they making themselves accessible to those with disabilities? Despite Britain’s disabled population having a spending…
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