Features

Why is Rachel Reeves reviewing the Low Value Import Scheme?

The global economy is currently experiencing turbulent times as a result of Donald Trump’s trade war. Currys CEO Alex Baldock, alongside a number of other retail CEOs, recently warned that more Chinese products could “flood” the UK and Europe market through platforms like Temu, Shein and Amazon, as a result.…

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What do supermarkets stand to gain from hosting parcel lockers?

Parcel lockers are everywhere now – outside supermarkets, in petrol stations, by train lines – and the numbers back this up. According to recent data from Statista, in 2023, 40% of UK adults used them. The year before, it was 30%. A decade ago, it was barely half of that.…

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Retailers at risk: how cyber threats are shaping the future of commerce

In recent weeks two major UK retailers – Marks and Spencer and Co-op – have fallen victim to high-profile cyber attacks that sent ripples through the entire retail sector. These breaches were a stark reminder that no company, no matter how established or trusted, is immune from cyber threats.  As…

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Poundland: what does the future hold for the discount retailer?

Poundland, once the epitome of the UK’s discount retail scene, finds itself at a crossroads as it navigates shifting consumer behaviors, rising operational costs, and an evolving market landscape.  As the cost-of-living crisis deepens and consumer preferences shift, the discount retail sector faces a host of challenges. For Poundland, staying…

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How is Westfield’s new Health and Wellness Village reshaping retail spaces

Westfield London has announced the opening of its new Wellness Village, in a move to cater to the growing demand for  accessible health and wellness experiences within a retail setting. The new space offers over 50,000 sq. ft. of health and wellness brands and services.  According to the latest report…

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Hosting plays a silent but critical role in retail

Retail depends on speed, reliability and flexibility. Whether a business operates fully online or through a mix of digital and physical channels, customers expect everything to work smoothly. Many of the factors that shape that experience are invisible to the shopper. Hosting is one of them and becomes highly noticeable…

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‘Time over cost’; the new strategy for customer returns

Cost-first decisions have long dominated reverse logistics. Retailers have grappled with whether to charge online shoppers for sending items back and have prioritised cost cutting in supply chains to mitigate the financial impact of returns on margins. Undoubtedly, cost remains an important factor in reverse logistics, but it’s starting to…

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Missed the PCI DSS v4.0.1 compliance deadline? How retailers can catch up quickly

Retailers have long been at the cutting-edge of payment innovation. From cloud computing and smart devices to advanced POS systems, new technologies are enabling industry players to continually enhance the customer experience and streamline operations. However, there is a less desirable side to this ecommerce evolution. Retailers are no longer…

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Why is Hilco Capital looking to acquire Lakeland?

British retail is no stranger to seeing a heritage brand acquired by a private equity firm. The latest name on that list seems to be family-owned homeware retailer Lakeland which is reportedly on the verge of being acquired by Hilco Capital. It was revealed in January that the company had…

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Will Mytheresa’s acquisition of YNAP create a leader in digital luxury?

Mytheresa’s acquisition of Yoox Net-A-Porter will bring together Mytheresa, Net-A-Porter, Mr Porter, Yoox, and The Outnet under the banner of LuxExperience – a new entity aiming to create “a global leader in digital luxury retail”. But as Chris Camacho, the chief executive of Cheil UK, points out: “Can you create…

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