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- 2021 -13 April
Eight ways retailers can use TikTok to create a marketing storm
TikTok has come into its own during the pandemic. The social platform has 100 million monthly active users across Europe, according to latest Kantar figures, and was the most downloaded app of 2020. That’s perhaps unsurprising given what we’ve all been living through – our need for light relief has…
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12 April
How John Lewis plans to bounce back
In 2007, upmarket retail giant John Lewis revealed plans for an ambitious expansion scheme, which aimed to double the size of its business. At the time, the company only had 26 sites across the UK and the £700m investment was created to increase its high street presence: bringing a further…
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9 April
The aspirin that soothes the returns headache
Are returns the biggest headache for online retailers? Returns are not so great for customers either. If retailers are to make the most of the new captive audience, it is time to stop treating returns as an annoying business cost. With the right approach, retailers can improve the customer experience,…
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8 April
Why retail store closures don’t have to be bad for business
It is no secret that the retail sector is facing somewhat of a crisis, with a number of leading retail chains – including Arcadia Group, M&Co, Harveys Furniture and Monsoon, amongst others – entering administration or shuttering up for good in the midst of the global pandemic. While for many…
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7 April
Amazon’s here – so what’s the future for UK supermarkets?
Amazon has set its sights on the UK supermarket sector. From the Amazon Fresh initiative to its partnership with Morrisons, offering free, next day delivery to Prime customers, the arch disruptor is looking to turn the UK multiple market on its head. Free next day delivery for everyday, household essentials…
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6 April
Retailers’ roles in protecting customers from the threat of fraud
With more than half of retail fraud now cyber-enabled, retailers are under pressure to identify any vulnerabilities across their digital payment process and are at significant risk of financial and data fraud in relation to their credit schemes. E-commerce has been rapidly growing for years and the number of digital…
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6 April
Offering a positive returns experience for retail consumers
Returns are a well-known pain point for retailers. Today returns are being exasperated by online purchases where vetting product quality is notoriously difficult. This means people are buying multiple items of similar descriptions to check the quality before returning those which aren’t up to scratch. Although this may seem like…
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6 April
How the pandemic changed the role of delivery drivers
The pandemic changed the world and it changed online retail. In addition to spiking sales, it reshaped the e-commerce customer journey and focused it on delivery. Delivery drivers have now found themselves as a brand’s new front of house team, thanks to the increased importance of their role and as…
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1 April
How can fashion-tech help the fashion industry work more efficiently?
Nowadays, many startups are setting up fashion tech apps in the retail industry: 3D body scan, data analysis, online recommendation, or advice for helping customers to shop with a conscience. It’s great that so many players and brands are participating in this change, but it only addresses part of the…
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Mar- 2021 -31 March
It’ll be alright on the night
They haven’t seen a customer for months, and if reports are to be believed, it’s likely that other, unwanted visitors have likely moved in. But, for now, let’s assume that the local pest control have done their job, spring and summer lines are on the rails, and the windows are…
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