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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Dec- 2024 -18 December
Becoming a heritage brand of the future
For Jessica Hanley, founder of Piglet in Bed, building a brand was always the goal. Inspired by the shifting ways brands were communicating with consumers, Hanley identified a gap in the homewares market: a need for products that reflected modern lifestyles—beautiful, sustainable, and effortlessly authentic. Combining creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit,…
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13 December
How China and ‘memory makers’ are shaping luxury retail trends
The global luxury retail market is at a turning point, navigating economic shifts, evolving consumer preferences, and new growth opportunities. Insights from Morningstar’s Luxury Landscape and other industry reports have explained what trends really shaped the luxury segment year, giving us a good idea of what to expect in 2025.…
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13 December
Plinc’s Stuart Russell on AI and personalised retail marketing
In an era of constant transformation, staying relevant to customers while achieving business objectives is no small feat for retailers. Stuart Russell, chief strategy officer at Plinc, has built a career solving this puzzle. His experience in customer marketing spans over two decades, touching industries as diverse as gaming, travel,…
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11 December
Theo Paphitis: The secrets behind his retail empire
Theo Paphitis, known to millions as one of the original Dragons on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, is much more than a television personality. As the owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas, and Boux Avenue, Paphitis has spent decades navigating the complexities of retail. His career is a testament to entrepreneurial grit,…
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9 December
The gift card revolution: insights from Anna Uprichard
Gift cards have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from simple gestures of convenience into powerful tools that drive consumer behavior, boost employee morale, and support public welfare. Few know this space better than Anna Uprichard, vice president of commerce for Blackhawk Network (BHN), a global leader in…
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5 December
What’s stopping supermarkets from selling loose fruit and veg?
Aldi is taking a bold step toward reducing plastic waste by trialling 12 new loose fruit and vegetable lines across select stores in Northern England. Customers in County Durham, Cumbria, and other northern regions can now buy items like parsnips, broccoli, ginger, and oranges without the unnecessary plastic wrap. If…
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5 December
Why retailers should be making data-driven decisions
In a retail landscape increasingly dominated by e-commerce and consumer-driven expectations, Stefan Loncar, founder and CEO of Loncom Consulting, is on a mission to transform how retailers use data. From inventory management to leveraging AI, Loncar’s insights and expertise have helped retailers across the globe improve their operations, predict trends,…
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4 December
Tradition meets innovation: Sam Walker’s vision for Walker & Ling
Sam Walker, owner and manager of Walker & Ling, stands at the helm of a business steeped in history yet firmly focused on the future. As the fifth-generation leader of this independent, family-run department store, Walker carries forward a legacy that dates back to 1892, all while navigating the rapidly…
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Nov- 2024 -28 November
Why championing small businesses helps local communities thrive
Britain’s independent retailers are more than shopfronts — they’re crucial contributors to a winning high street experience, bringing vibrancy, variety, and community spirit to the neighbourhoods they serve. These local businesses do more than meet basic consumer needs, they have a far greater significance to our everyday lives. This was…
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27 November
Problem-solving to jewellery design: Creating a new brand from scratch
In the world of retail and jewellery, Sarah Parham, founder of Sarah Verity Jewellery, has carved out a unique space by combining problem-solving skills with bold creativity. Her journey from an advertising career to creating a jewellery brand is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the belief that anything is…
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