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Oct- 2018 -22 October
Black Friday is not a day, it’s a ‘bargain bonanza’ fortnight
With recent reports lamenting the demise of the high street, one could be forgiven for thinking that physical stores have had their day. However, bricks-and-mortar shops still occupy an important position in the shopping experience and no more so than in the run up to Christmas, with the frenzy kicking…
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19 October
What does ‘real-time’ mean in retail?
We are living in an ‘instant gratification’ era and the way we shop is evolving. Big box retailers like Amazon and Next are proving day in day out that consumers can have items they’ve bought online speedily. Same day and next day delivery are now very much the norm. In…
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17 October
How ‘technology transformation’ is shaping the retail renaissance
For European retailers, 2018 has been tough. However, retailers are resilient, and hopes are high that a more positive outlook is on the horizon. Falling European unemployment, twinned with increased net incomes for most countries are good news for consumers, which in turn should mean more disposable income and increased…
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16 October
How the ‘customer experience’ can improve inclusivity in-store
Next month, a number of British retailers including Asda, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Barclays and Argos will be coming together in aid of ‘Purple Tuesday’ – the first accessible shopping day in the UK. Co-ordinated by the disability organisation Purple and endorsed by the government, Purple Tuesday is all about…
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15 October
Why the retail industry needs Extended Producer Responsibility
Waste as a resource remains a hot topic in the news agenda. Consumers are becoming more concerned about the future of our environment, which has resulted in the government introducing a number of new policies to ensure we’re all working towards a more sustainable future. Mattresses are a particular recycling…
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11 October
The future of the department store is in ‘science-driven’ marketing
Once classed the pillars of our high-streets, department stores are now facing troubled times. They’ve developed a reputation for being outdated, as customers have opted to shop online. Experts describe department stores as lagging, claiming some “haven’t changed in 10, maybe 20 years”. With House of Fraser closing half its…
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10 October
How businesses can prepare themselves for trading following a no-deal Brexit
It should come as no surprise that the Government would leave establishing trade strategy within the EU, post-Brexit, up to the individual business. Now that retailers are going to be responsible for determining their own delivery structure, delaying the inevitable will do more harm than good, in an already volatile…
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9 October
The Brexit dividend may be nearing an end for UK retailers – so what now?
Much has been made of the potential ‘Brexit dividend’ that the economy may enjoy if the UK parts company with Brussels in March next year, with the argument polarising commentators and economists. One sector of the economy that benefitted initially after the referendum is retail, as international shoppers were able…
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8 October
How can boutique window dressing affect in-store visits?
Businesses do some weird and wonderful things to attract people into their store — Zara introduced augmented reality in their front window for example, and Saks Fifth Avenue filled their front window with a litter of puppies. But, things are different in a fashion boutique — the display needs to…
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5 October
Innovation in retail: who’s your money on?
No business is immune from the potentially fatal consequences of relying on ‘business as usual’. The recent fates of household brands like Maplin and Toys R Us tell us that. It is true in any industry, but none more so than in retail. Is your business looking in the right…
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