Marketing
This coverage explores marketing strategy and innovation across the UK retail industry — from brand campaigns and customer engagement to data-driven advertising and omnichannel communication. Retail Sector reports on retailer marketing performance, creative partnerships, loyalty schemes, and digital transformation shaping how brands connect with consumers. Coverage includes insights into retail media networks, influencer collaborations, social commerce, and the evolving use of AI and analytics in campaign optimisation. For retail professionals, this category offers expert intelligence on how effective marketing drives sales, brand value, and competitive advantage in a dynamic retail environment.
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Apr- 2018 -5 AprilAdvice
Embracing advanced, real-time analytics
The last few months have presented a challenge for traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers in the UK. High street sales have continued to struggle in a difficult trading environment, leading to a number of high-profile retail casualties – notably companies such as Toys R Us and Maplin. All UK Toys R US…
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4 AprilClothing & Shoes
Mothercare CEO shock resignation
Mark Newton-Jones abruptly resigned from the position of CEO of Mothercare this morning as the embattled retail chain seeks to stabilise. The firm announced the appointment of David Wood as CEO with immediate effect, but the news of Newton-Jones’ departure caused the group’s share price to fall 2.3% in morning…
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Mar- 2018 -27 MarchAnalysis
GDPR could be the best thing to happen to your customer experience
On 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force across the EU. It is the biggest change to data protection laws in Europe since the 1995 introduction of the European Union (EU) Data Protection Directive. Since its creation in 1995, the amount of digital information…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
JD Sports Fashion to acquire US brand Finish Line
Fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion is set to acquire US retailer The Finish Line for $558m (£396m). Finish Line is one of the largest retailers of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories in the US and trades from 556 branded stores across 44 US states. It is also the exclusive retailer…
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23 MarchHigh Street
Next admits 2017 was ‘the most challenging year’ as annual profits drop
Next has seen its annual profits drop by 8% after what the retailer described as its most challenging year for 25 years. The fashion retailer’s pre-tax profits dropped to £726.1m down from £790.2m, although this was in line with expectations. Next attributed the decline to “a weak clothing market” as…
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20 MarchComment
Generation Z: The future of bricks-and-mortar?
Generation Z is often perceived as the age group ready to knock the final nail into the coffin of the High Street. Having lived throughout the largest technological boom in history, and spent a large chunk of their lives living vicariously through their phone, one could expect a complete disinterest…
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19 MarchAdvice
How to ensure GDPR doesn’t kill your data capture efforts
Despite GDPR changing the methods of capturing and managing customer data for good, the regulations don’t need to herald the end of useful data. There are still ways in which businesses can continue to gather useful data and, crucially, help gain customer trust at the same time. Here are the…
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16 MarchPeople Moves
Nike brand president retires, CEO responds to workplace behaviour complaints
The brand president of sportswear manufacturer Nike, Trevor Edwards, has announced that he will be retiring from the company in August 2018 as the company faces down reports of workplace complaints. There is no suggestion that Edward’s resignation and the company’s response to workplace complaints are related. An internal memo…
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14 MarchAdvice
The key to unlocking brand advocacy
Recent research by Global Web Index (GWI) uncovered several interesting insights about the factors that drive brand advocacy, focusing specifically on affluent consumers (defined as internet users aged 16-64 that fall into the upper quintile of GWI’s social grading segmentation). The research found that direct communication from brands is very…
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12 MarchAdvice
Email marketing – five personalisation opportunities you may be missing
Good personalisation can turn email marketing from a generic blast to a helpful prompt. Receiving information from a brand that tells you when a product you’re actively interested in is on promotion or being sent a tailored, relevant offer for your birthday is something to be welcomed rather than ignored.…
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