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What to know: High street tenancies

As the Scottish Government considers extending the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act anti-irritancy provisions, which effectively prevent landlords from terminating commercial leases, speculation is increasing that temporary restrictions in England on landlords taking action against tenants in rent arrears may also be extended. What are those provisions and what do they mean…

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How the retail experience is evolving in a contactless world

The goalposts have moved for digital customer experience and retailers the world over need to excel online now or risk losing out. Covid-19 has triggered a colossal shift in consumer behaviour and shopping habits after millions of non-essential businesses were forced to close for months with little warning. In the…

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Rethinking your staffing requirements to survive the recession

With a new CBI survey revealing the highest level of retail job cuts since the 2009 crisis, lockdown restrictions, a lack of consumer confidence and less spending power continues to hit Britain’s high streets hard. While some businesses have remained resilient and are now back trading under revised conditions, a…

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Preventing fraud in ecommerce: how retailers should respond

It’s been nearly five months since the prime minister announced a state of lockdown in the UK due to the coronavirus. In this time, the retail sector as we know it has changed dramatically. Without much warning, retailers have had to close brick and mortar stores from the start of…

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The three waves for retailers

Retailers don’t have the luxury of focusing solely on the short-term impact of Covid-19. The familiar retail experience that we’ve come to known will evolve and many of the changes the industry is implementing to counter the effects of the pandemic will become permanent, resulting in a new normal. We’ve…

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How retailers can use feedback during a crisis to strengthen their brand

It’s no secret that the retail industry has been severely affected by Covid-19-related shutdowns and a crumbling economy. Despite non-essential retail being allowed to open its brick-and-mortar stores, there is still much uncertainty about what exactly lies ahead for the sector. Pair this with the pressure of ensuring brand survival…

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Security: The new experience shoppers are seeking in the ‘new normal’?

Retailers have been battling COVID-19 for months. Many traditional brick-and-mortar stores closed. Workforces were scattered — either furloughed or required to work from home. Meantime, online sales have provided a lifeline, as dramatic e-commerce spikes helped firms navigate these trying times.  Now, with physical stores starting to reopen, more disruption…

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How retailers can tap into the growing power of influencers

Retailers across the globe have been pulling advertising from Facebook (and Instagram) . The social media platform is under heavy criticism for its failure to tackle hate speech. Retailers have taken a stand – along with about 1,000 other brands and agencies – in protest and have withdrawn from advertising.…

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New retail technology and its potential for ‘on the ground’ data collection

It was reported recently that Amazon will open 10 till-free UK stores, with shoppers scanning items as they go and paying via their Amazon accounts. Similarly, Sainsbury’s has announced a trial virtual queuing system using a third-party app, and an expanded mobile payment scheme offering increased availability of till-free shopping. This…

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Reopening retail: Four ways to embrace creativity, safely

Reopening retail; four ways to embrace creativity, safely Meredith O’Shaughnessy, Creative Brand and Retail Strategist at Meredith Collective Coronavirus has been the final reckoning for great swathes of retail, and it’s been brutal. Some high street stalwarts (Warehouse, Oasis, Accessorise) won’t open their doors again. Others are tentatively reopening but…

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