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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Jun- 2023 -20 June
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Every Retailer Should Track
In the competitive retail industry, staying on top of your business’s health and performance is essential for sustainability and growth. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide a measurable way to determine how effectively a retailer is achieving its key business objectives. This article will outline the vital KPIs that every retailer…
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20 June
Leveraging Social Media for Retail Marketing and Sales
Social media is a powerful tool in the contemporary marketing landscape. Today, it is not merely a communication platform but a vital channel for retailers to connect with customers, boost brand awareness, and drive sales. To leverage social media effectively, retail businesses need a well-crafted strategy. This article will explore…
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20 June
Mastering Omnichannel Retail: Strategies for Success
In today’s retail landscape, consumer expectations are higher than ever. This is where omnichannel retail shines—providing a consistent, integrated shopping experience, no matter the channel or device. Mastering omnichannel retail is not an easy task. It requires a robust understanding of your customers’ journey, efficient technology integrations, a strong focus…
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14 June
E-commerce businesses can fight inflation – here’s how
Consumers continue tightening their belts as the cost of living crisis bites. And the outlook isn’t ideal; UK inflation remains stubbornly high, especially compared to the Eurozone and the US. The cost-of-living crisis, combined with the rising cost of raw materials, packaging, transport and labour, is putting insurmountable pressure on…
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12 June
Can the John Lewis Partnership reach its goals?
Last week the chair of the John Lewis Partnership Sharon White made a commitment to return the company to profitability by 2026 in a speech to the Employee Ownership Association. This promise comes just three years after White started a five year plan at the company which amongst other things…
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5 June
Could WHSmith secure Toys R Us’ success through concessions?
After disappearing from UK high streets and retail parks in 2018, Toys R Us has made plans to relaunch this summer across several locations, as well as in the form of concessions in WHSmith branches. The children’s toys retailer exited after falling out of favour due to strong competition from…
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May- 2023 -25 May
Finding the affordability niche in the market and supporting consumers through the cost of living crisis
The FMCG market is evolving as the cost of living and inflation take hold, and it’s having a huge impact on consumer spending as many people turn away from household names in favour of high-quality, smaller brand alternatives. Consumer behaviour is changing as budgets get tighter Consumers are now seeking…
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3 May
Will retailers of organic produce make a comeback?
Whole Foods, which was acquired by Amazon in August 2017, started off the year with a cut-and-dried plan to invest profits strategically. In what CEO Jason Buechel called “a 10-year vision for leading the company into the future”, the organic produce retailer aims to set records for new store growth,…
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Apr- 2023 -24 April
What can retailers learn from grocery stores?
The KPMG consumer pulse survey released recently says that 61% of people will have to reduce non-essential spending, do you agree? We’re finding that customers are definitely more selective about their purchases, obviously because of a lack of available spare funds, particularly when it comes to retail fashion, clothing and…
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13 April
The growing challenge of bots for e-commerce-based businesses
It’s no exaggeration to say that the coronavirus pandemic has left an indelible mark on consumer habits. According to Michael Keenan at Shopify, online purchases only accounted for 17.8% of total sales in 2020. Throughout the Covid crisis, however, the market share of e-commerce positively soared, due to the temporary…
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