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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Oct- 2018 -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 They’ve developed a reputation for being outdated, as customers have opted to shop online.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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4 October
What is an administration pre-pack, and how might it affect retail suppliers?
2018 has been a difficult year for retailers: East, Maplin, New Look, Carpetright, Carphone Warehouse, Poundworld, Mothercare, Toys ‘R’ Us, House of Fraser, and Homebase have all stumbled to varying degrees. For House of Fraser, Mike Ashley (via his SportsDirect group) arrived as a ‘white knight’, using an administration pre-pack…
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3 October
How to ensure a connected customer journey
Today’s customers know nothing of boundaries. They want to buy anything, anytime, anywhere, and often use multiple channels to shop at their favourite brands. Welcome to the ‘age of the customer’; a world where customers who use more than one channel, spend more, are more loyal than, and outnumber single…
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2 October
How can ecommerce brands make the most of the sharing economy?
Not so long ago, the idea of renting out our homes to strangers, leasing clothing from brands or even sharing taxis with fellow commuters would have been anathema to many. But today, thanks to the emergence of the sharing economy and the brands that have come to define this trend,…
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1 October
Online retailers and the battle for e-commerce customer experience
The digital experience is becoming increasingly integral to the retail industry, and with the holiday period on the horizon, it’s particularly essential for retailers to ensure a smooth customer journey. Online retail success during the peak traffic season can depend on the ability to monitor cloud-based components, from (Domain Name…
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