HR
This coverage focuses on human resources strategies and workforce management within the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights recruitment trends, staff retention, training and development, workplace policies, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and leadership approaches to managing retail employees. Designed for executives and managers, it offers insights to support effective HR practices and strengthen organisational performance.
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Dec- 2018 -21 DecemberAdvice
Will retailers rise to the occasion this Christmas?
Retailers are entering their busiest and potentially most profitable period – but it is also their riskiest. Fail to hit the nail on the head, and retailers could struggle to make it through to next Christmas. House of Fraser, Debenhams and Marks & Spencers are just some of the stores…
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21 DecemberAdvice
How retailers can avoid the £2.4bn peak returns crisis
The Christmas peak period is often heralded as the saving grace of retail’s calendar. But any dramatic spike in sales also leads to a marked rise in the number of returned items – and this surge brings a multi-billion pound hangover which haunts UK retail through to January sales and…
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20 DecemberAnalysis
The shift towards conscious consumerism
The UK’s ethical retail sector has grown by more than £40bn since 2008, with households spending an average of £1,263 on sustainable goods last year according to not-for-profit consultancy Ethical Consumer. With trends like Fairtrade and organic growing in prominence, people are wanting to know more about the provenance of…
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19 DecemberAdvice
How retail marketers can cut the cost of Christmas
Christmas is an expensive time of year for everybody – particularly retail businesses as competition intensifies around the seasonal period. In fact, brands spent a record £6bn on Christmas advertising alone last year. That’s not to mention the cost of Christmas-themed point-of-sale materials, seasonal collateral, digital elements, visual merchandising and…
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18 DecemberComment
Why automation is a crucial opportunity for retailers
It doesn’t take an expert to tell you how prevalent automation is right now in British industries. We’ve all ‘self-scanned’ in the supermarket, engaged with online help desks and know that the industrial production line is now more a robotic parade than a human process. But, while there’s no denying…
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17 DecemberAdvice
Balancing Christmas demand with employee needs
With the countdown to Christmas now on, the retail industry is reaching the height of this years’ busiest shopping period. With Christmas spending hitting a record £50bn in the UK last year, it’s a frantic time for those working in the sector. In fact, our own research highlighted that almost…
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14 DecemberAdvice
How can e-tailers transform the high-street?
While 14 shops close every day in the UK, a number of e-tailers are moving into the physical retail space trying their hand at bringing the online experience offline via immersive and experiential activations. This is hardly surprising, given shoppers continue to crave real-life, tangible experiences. But what does this…
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13 DecemberAdvice
The problem with excess stock (and how to avoid it)
There are close to 300,000 retail outlets currently operating in the UK. The pressure is on to not only deliver exceptional customer service, but to stock products that stand out against the competition. The process of sourcing and buying products requires adequate research. Too often, retailers fall into the trap…
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12 DecemberComment
Turn Golden Quarter ‘flings’ with customers into long term relationships
The Golden Quarter presents brands and retailers with multiple opportunities to engage with shoppers and ultimately boost sales. However, the true winners of this peak shopping season aren’t those that only see sales spike on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Instead, it’s those that use the quarter to turn their…
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11 DecemberAdvice
How to deal with ‘buyer’s remorse’ amidst the Christmas shopping frenzy
With Christmas quickly approaching, footfall in shops rising and clicks online increasing, customers are rushing to grab the best Christmas presents and deals in the seasonal sales. Customers in store and online are acting on highs of adrenaline as they find a not-to-miss item leading to quick, impulsive purchase decisions…
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