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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Jan- 2022 -6 January
Checkout free stores: what they’re all about
What is the concept behind checkout-free stores? In theory, checkout-free stores drive convenience for both the merchant and the customer. Everyone has demanding lives and as a result will, understandably, look to minimise hassle if they can. Through the right payments’ infrastructure, these stores, which first appeared in the UK…
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Dec- 2021 -17 December
Why 2022 will be a defining year for UK retail
Retailers are coming out of what has been another challenging year but are undoubtedly now optimistic and looking forward to a prosperous festive season. Early reports paint a positive picture with ONS data showing an 0.8% rise in total sales volume in October, and GfK revealing that consumer confidence is…
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15 December
Delivering what matters to consumers in the run up to Christmas
Christmas is a pivotal period for retailers. It can be the most demanding and important time to capitalise on seasonal demand. According to PwC, one in four consumers intends to spend more this festive season, with a total spend on presents and celebrations predicted to be around £21 billion. 2021’s…
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15 December
How e-commerce managers can prevent website overload this holiday season
Retailers remain at the coal face of digital innovation – after all, it was retail e-commerce sites such as Amazon that literally revolutionised the world. Christmas 2020, largely locked down in most parts of the world, offered the pinnacle of online trading conditions. This season, whether it be the convenience…
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7 December
Retail trends 2022: What Brits want from retailers
Attest, a consumer research platform for the world’s biggest brands, today releases new data on the retail trends that are likely to shape 2022. The research is found within the second annual UK Consumer Trends report that tracks sentiment and behaviours ahead of the new year. Key findings include: Overall,…
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2 December
Snatching peak from the jaws of Amazon
Consumer shopping habits this peak season are already unlike anything the industry has seen before. A slow burn, ultra-cautious approach that could well lead to a last-minute rush – a rush that Amazon thinks it’s going to win. The conventional wisdom – as far as convention can be wise in…
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Nov- 2021 -24 November
The £15bn question – are you still investing in instore expertise?
With the Golden Quarter in full swing and the risk of another lockdown receding, it feels like physical retailers can finally focus on the future and doing what they do best. Namely serving the varied interests and needs of our nation of shoppers. While the terminals are processing payments, amidst…
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16 November
Why data activation is the secret to a successful Black Friday
As economies reopen and consumers adjust to post-crisis life, marketers face an ongoing period of change. Nevertheless, 2021 looks set to be a big year for holiday shopping. With consumer confidence reportedly at its highest level since 2008, it feels like, after the challenges brought by Corona, there is everything…
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9 November
Post-pandemic future is looking bright for UK high Streets
Prior to the pandemic, there were concerns regarding the future of the high street. Now that social distancing restrictions have forced many hospitality and retail businesses to close their doors at least partially, these voices of concern have understandably amplified. And after the Autumn Budget announcement this week, these concerns…
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Oct- 2021 -27 October
Long Covid: a particularly bad headache for retail?
Cooped up indoors, face to face with a steady stream of strangers. No working from home. When it comes to Covid-related absence, it’s no surprise retail is the UK’s hardest-hit industry. Our data shows that over 222,000 retail employees missed work due to a positive test between January and mid-July.…
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