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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Aug- 2025 -22 August
Retail media: Hugh Stevens on the data that powers the future
Retail media has emerged from the periphery of marketing strategy into one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors in modern commerce. At the centre of that transformation is a growing recognition that first-party data—properly governed, connected, and activated—offers retailers and brands unprecedented opportunities to collaborate, personalise, and grow.…
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21 August
Curating the clutter: How brands can cut-through product overwhelm
Consumers are met with an overwhelming volume of information each day, leading to decision fatigue that can make it difficult to choose products, and even cause them to abandon their shopping baskets altogether. When this happens, shoppers are more likely to stick to a well-known brand or pick up the…
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13 August
It’s time we had a system that stopped taxing retailers as if it were 1599
Our high streets have had a tough time in recent years – battered by a global pandemic, war, energy shocks and soaring inflation. Yet despite it all, shops have kept going – serving their communities, creating jobs, and showing remarkable resilience. But resilience isn’t a plan for growth, and nostalgia…
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Jul- 2025 -17 July
What will separate supply chain winners and losers in the years to come
For decades, logistics and supply chain operations have been the unsung heroes of commerce—efficiently humming behind the scenes, away from public attention. But in a world shaped by pandemic shocks, geopolitical tensions, and shifting consumer expectations, supply chains have stepped into the spotlight. For Emile Naus, Partner at BearingPoint, this…
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15 July
Using AI to modernise CX in retail
The retail sector is at a crossroads. At a time when products and prices can often be easily matched, it is increasingly the customer experience that sets brands apart. Research has shown that companies that prioritise customer experience see revenues typically grow 4 – 8% above competitors1. Whether browsing in-store…
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Jun- 2025 -18 June
Why are retail sites installing EV chargers?
Why are EV Charge Point Operators taking such an interest in retail sites? The number of EVs on the road is expanding rapidly, however, there is a high demand for reliable charging infrastructure. Retail sites are the perfect locations for EV charging facilities since they have car park space and…
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May- 2025 -19 May
Let’s not profit over young people’s mental health
The prognosis for the national – and now the global – economy is looking dire, yet “Awful April” is just the latest blow to young adults who’ve been bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis. Financially, emotionally, and mentally, young people have been squeezed on all sides and the long-term…
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16 May
The most sought-after jobs in British retail in 2025
By 2025, the British retail landscape is a mysterious blend of shuttered doors, mass sackings, and a thriving ecosystem of creativity and new career opportunities which can be home-grown. While the closure of thousands of stores and the whole transformation of the high streets made it look like the retail…
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Apr- 2025 -29 April
Choosing the right ESL partner: Why reliability and security matter more than ever
In today’s fast-paced retail world, standing still means falling behind among competitors. As customer expectations rise, retailers are embracing digital innovations to stay relevant among the crowd. At the forefront of this shift are electronic shelf labels (ESLs), smart tools that do far more than display prices.But not all ESL…
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28 April
Four D2C trends to watch in 2025
Personalisation Personalisation has long been a buzzword in retail, but in 2025 it is becoming a baseline consumer expectation, with many now viewing tailored shopping experiences as a standard rather than a luxury. Personalisation in 2025 goes beyond just product recommendations; it’s about creating an entire experience that speaks to…
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