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.
-
Aug- 2019 -30 August
Looking beyond a loyalty card
Conventional loyalty schemes can work, there’s no doubt about that. Among consumers using loyalty programmes, almost half (47%) spend more with a brand whose scheme they are a member of (YouGov). But shoppers have long since become savvy about the true value of loyalty schemes for them. According to TCC…
Read More » -
29 August
Capitalising on click and collect
Many consumers are turning to click and collect for their online purchases rather than opting for home delivery. In fact, this is a growing market as shoppers recognise the convenience of picking up their goods when it suits them. For example, retailers such as Boots and Next reported that 75%…
Read More » -
28 August
Two key pillars that define success for modern retailing
While the news shines a gloomy light on the state of a retail industry, the statistics reveal a more positive outlook. With e-commerce figures climbing year on year and retailers reporting a more engaged, communicative customer base, the industry may simply be in transition, rather than turmoil, as the model…
Read More » -
27 August
Getting the most out of your security system
The popularity of online shopping is continuously growing. And thanks to the 24/7 convenience it brings, it isn’t surprising that the market continues to steadily grow in double-digits each year. In fact, it’s expected to become the biggest retail channel in the world by 2021. It’s clear the benefits of…
Read More » -
21 August
How food retailers can capitalise on AI’s potential
The grocery sector is preparing for a period of unprecedented disruption as food retailers battle to discover new sources of value for consumers. Focusing on the fundamental aims of improving customer service, loyalty and integration of digital and real-life experience, retailers are seeking out ways to better understand shoppers’ buying…
Read More » -
20 August
How to grow your retail business using print and digital
The retail industry is the single largest private sector employer, employing one in ten people here in the UK. That’s no surprise as annual sales are estimated to be around £358bn. Stepping into this arena can prove to be a particularly tough nut to crack. For the past decade we…
Read More » -
19 August
Retail versus digital – can’t we all just get along?
There’s no doubt about it – consumer behaviour has, without question, been one of the main drivers that has contributed to the volume of store closures that we’re seeing now more than ever before. And in some ways, this ‘shift in consumer behaviour’ is to blame for the ‘bricks versus…
Read More » -
16 August
The case for personalisation
From the dawn of modern consumerism offering a personal touch was a key differentiator for high-quality retailers and service providers keen to set themselves apart from the rest. Remembering client names, previous purchases or children’s birthdays added that ‘je ne sais quoi’ that bonded retailer to customer. It fostered loyalty,…
Read More » -
15 August
Responding to sexual harassment in the retail workplace
A recent survey from regional law firm Foot Anstey found just over 1 in 10 (11%) retail workers have experienced “inappropriate touching of a sexual nature” in their current role – with over a third (36%) of those workers believing their employer “could have done more” to prevent it happening. …
Read More » -
15 August
Staying in the know of the unknown
At a time when retailers are suffering from the biggest fall in sales in more than a decade, according to the Confederation of British Industry, being unprepared in a crisis is simply not an option. With brand reputation being the key to keeping many companies afloat, retailers have to be…
Read More »
