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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Oct- 2018 -8 OctoberComment
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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4 OctoberAdvice
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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2 OctoberComment
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 OctoberAdvice
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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Sep- 2018 -26 SeptemberComment
Retail success requires boosting operational efficiency
The world of retail is changing, driven by a significant shift in consumer demands. Just look at the likes of Amazon Go, a revolutionary retail space that delivers the kind of effective, frictionless experience that shoppers are now craving. From an insider perspective, these developments have led to increased…
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25 SeptemberAnalysis
The future’s bright, the future’s automation?
Last month high street stalwart Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced plans to overhaul its customer services department with an AI offering. Its new automated system will enable 640 of the company’s stores and 13 of its UK-based contact centres to automatically route voice calls, determine customer intent, transcribe voice calls…
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24 SeptemberComment
What’s the secret of the forecourt store?
While the struggles facing the retail sector have been widely reported over recent months, it seems forecourt stores are bucking the trend. However, with petrol sales in decline in the move to greener motoring, is their success sustainable and what might the forecourt store of 2040 look like? At a…
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21 SeptemberAdvice
Customer security and trust will lead to better growth
The importance of customer data to retail brands cannot be overstated, especially when petabytes worth of personal information is gathered for brand marketing by retailers on a yearly basis. The insight provided by such information can allow brands to give a more tailored experience in how customers engage with their…
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20 SeptemberComment
Automation and AI in retail: friend or foe?
We hear a lot about the high street dying, but that’s not quite right. The high street is changing. Automation (and, in the future, AI) is changing the retail landscape. One of the reasons digital retailers like Amazon are so successful is ease-of-purchase, and this is down – in large…
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19 SeptemberAdvice
How retailers can harness Halloween to drive engagement
Each year Halloween generates a huge amount of hype among consumers, making it a pivotal holiday for retailers. Indeed, Halloween sales continue to grow, generating £310m in 2016, increasing to £320m in 2017, according to Mintel. But how can retailers continue to drive awareness and footfall during this competitive retail…
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