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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Oct- 2022 -18 October
Sephora’s return to the UK could spell competition for Boots
The French cosmetics retailer, Sephora, has recently returned to the United Kingdom with the launch of an online store, with plans to open a flagship store in London sometime during Spring 2023. Though the location of Sephora’s new flagship store and opening date have not been disclosed yet, for many…
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4 October
How can retail companies prepare for a more scrupulous festive season?
After two years of Covid-impacted festive periods, any hopes that the retail industry had for a return to normal in 2022 has been thwarted by the cost-of-living crisis. Springboard has recently forecast that footfall across all UK retail destinations will decline on a month to month basis by -4.9% in…
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Sep- 2022 -28 September
Will Patagonia spark an eco revolution?
Becoming net zero and sustainable are some of the top priorities for global companies today, with many promising to reduce their carbon footprint or offset it by planting trees. But there comes a point where promises and offsetting isn’t enough. And Patagonia has done exactly that. The Chouinard family, former…
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27 September
Could Selfridges succeed where others have failed?
UK high streets have been on the decline for many years now, having lost 83% of all department stores nationwide in the past five years alone. Unsurprisingly, the departure of these businesses has left gaps in trade within high streets. It was reported that 50 shops a day closed their…
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26 September
Made.com for sale: what went wrong?
Made.com has officially put itself up for sale amid fears the business will be unable to raise fresh equity due to plummeting consumer confidence in the UK and supply chain disruptions. The online furniture retailer revealed plans to implement additional cost reductions, such a strategic headcount review, which is set…
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21 September
Do Royal Warrants still hold value for retailers?
British monarchs have been issuing Royal Warrants since the 15th Century. These warrants were issued over the centuries to craftspeople who supplied the Crown with everything from jewellery to tea. By the 1700s, warrant holders began displaying the royal arms on their businesses in an early example of consumer-facing marketing.…
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21 September
Inflation, fast fashion and how to keep shoppers in a recession
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), inflation is back in the single digits in August after it rose to worrying heights in July. However, despite its fluctuations, inflation has remained at record-breaking levels, damaging profits for affordable fashion retailers among others in different sectors. According to Fashion Network,…
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14 September
Is the rise in distressed M&As set to continue?
The number of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals targeting UK retailers has increased in the last year, up from 28 transactions to 34 in the last 12 months, as deals in the sector “buck the overall slowdown in M&A”, according to RPC, the international law firm. However, the UK has…
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13 September
Thinking critically about customer reviews
Unfortunately it’s no secret that consumers and retailers alike are staring down the barrel of an economic recession. With shoppers facing double-digit inflation they’re (understandably) tightening their belts to make the most of every penny and are seeking reassurance that when they do spend, they are doing so wisely. Cue…
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13 September
Retailers’ demands of the new PM
Liz Truss is fresh in her new role as prime minister with enough enthusiasm to tweet, “it’s time to deliver for the people of the United Kingdom”, but while the new Tory leader was yet to be decided, business owners were left with fears that their upcoming winter troubles would…
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