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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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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28 April
How are EV charging hubs boosting revenues for the retail sector?
Supply and demand is one of the most fundamental principles of the retail sector. For EV drivers, the demand for charging infrastructure is insatiable. Meanwhile, the government’s net-zero commitments are causing a rapid shift towards the sale of EVs. However, the supply of charging infrastructure is lacking. This is where…
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14 April
US tariffs and De Minimis changes: What you need to know
Global markets may well be rebounding after President Trump announced a “universal 10%” tax on all imports, except China which has now been hit with a 125% levy. Although many who had anticipated a global economic crisis may feel a sense of relief today, the reality remains that the United…
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2 April
Why the hiring experience in retail is so key
In retail, the customer experience is paramount, and justifiably so. However, this can be dependent on the ability and enthusiasm of frontline staff. Strongly influencing their aptitude and desire to fulfil their roles in this way, is the experience that they themselves have when applying for their positions. How they…
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Mar- 2025 -10 March
Tim Waterton: Reinventing customer feedback with HappyOrNot
Tim Waterton, Chief Revenue Officer at HappyOrNot, is on a mission to transform the way businesses gather and act on customer feedback. With a career spanning nearly two decades in customer experience, technology, and data analytics, Waterton has helped shape how major retailers, hospitality businesses, and service providers use real-time…
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Feb- 2025 -17 February
How Temu approaches product safety
Temu, an online marketplace, has expanded rapidly since its launch in 2022 and now operates in 90 markets across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The platform connects consumers with independent third-party sellers, including manufacturers, and offers a range of products at various price points. Temu…
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7 February
Clare Burrows: establishing a pioneering footwear brand from scratch
Clare Burrows, founder of Air & Grace, has spent nearly three decades in the footwear industry, building a brand that seamlessly combines style and comfort. Her journey from answering a newspaper job advert to launching a thriving direct-to-consumer business is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a deep understanding of…
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Jan- 2025 -29 January
From classroom to commerce: How Alok Ruia reinvented SockShop
Alok Ruia, Director of SockShop, did not initially set out to join the family business. The Ruia Group, founded by his father and uncles in the 1950s, started as a textile importing business in Manchester, supplying raw cloth to UK manufacturers. “It’s a family business to this day,” Ruia explains,…
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29 January
Makeke: The app helping independent retailers take on ecommerce giants
Jenniffer Gearheart-Tang, co-founder and CEO of Makeke, has always had an entrepreneurial streak. With a career spanning marketing, executive recruitment, and corporate innovation, she has consistently sought to bring disruptive ideas to market. Together with her husband, Drake Gearheart, Makeke’s Head of Product & Scalability, the duo have built a…
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