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Jul- 2020 -28 July
Automation: How it helps retailers cut costs and remain agile
Retail operations are more expensive to run in a post-Covid world due to the extra demands of cleaning throughout the day and managing access to achieve the maximum occupation numbers. And on top of all of all of this, lower footfall and sales than usual. As the old saying goes,…
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22 July
Ensuring digital accessibility is part of the retail journey
The rapid acceleration of digital transformation has been one of the most remarkable aspects of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, with people literally Zooming to stay in touch and accessing online products and services in unprecedented numbers. There is little doubt that the coronavirus has dealt a devastating…
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21 July
How to get consumers spending? Make them feel a million dollars again
On Thursday 19 March, I found myself driving as fast as I could up the A12 towards the Suffolk countryside. After a ‘hot tip-off’ that a lockdown was coming, we packed the cars, abandoned our London flat and decided to batten down the hatches amongst the green pastures of East…
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20 July
Post-lockdown: keeping business afloat
Lawyers predict that 1 in 10 SMEs is set to collapse post-lockdown. This harsh reality means burying heads in sand is not an option and steps – some difficult – must be taken sooner rather than later to protect against the looming slump. Recent news that household names such as…
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16 July
Effective stock management is key to retail revival
Following the optimism of non-essential high street shops reopening in mid-June, pessimism remains about near-term sales. The CBI’s monthly Distributive Trades Survey shows the vast majority of retailers expect sales to be lower than July 2019, with 62% believing lack of customer demand is the biggest operational challenge they are…
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16 July
Intu the unknown: The future of the shopping centre
Saddled with unsustainable levels of debt and lacking rental income over the past two quarters due to Covid-19 restrictions, Intu finally announced its move into administration earlier this month. The shopping centre giant’s collapse left thousands of shops and livelihoods on the line and it represented a pivotal moment for…
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14 July
Risk, regulation and reputation: The three ‘R’s for retailers
The three ‘R’s are the building blocks for our children’s education. The joy of re-visiting these as a parent-teacher in lockdown has not been unbridled, but a necessary and worthwhile investment that will hopefully reap dividends. Retailers devising survival strategies likewise need a diligent focus on the three ‘R’s of…
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10 July
Why a multi-skilled retail team is essential for optimal efficiency
Retail is a people business. And while the rise of online shopping has increased the role of technology, it has arguably made the colleague interactions that do happen even more important. The mantra for retailers of “right people, right place, right time” has never mattered more. A historical retail resourcing…
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2 July
Why every penny counts as retailers open shop doors again
The long-awaited re-opening of shop doors comes with the even bigger anticipation of turmoil within the next 12 months as retailers regain their feet in an uncertain climate. Lockdown has had a substantial and unprecedented impact on the retail sector. In the last few months, Debenhams has entered administration for…
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Jun- 2020 -30 June
What the fuel station of the future means for retailers
Cruising into a petrol station and filling up the tank is a staple of everyday life for drivers across the world. However, according to predictions from Nissan, this isn’t set to last. In fact, the leading car manufacturer is predicting that in the future, fuel stations as we know it…
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