Marketing
This coverage explores marketing strategy and innovation across the UK retail industry โ 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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Sep- 2020 -23 SeptemberNews
Headless commerce, friend or foe?
Steve Jobs knew a thing or two about delivering exceptional experiences. Despite running a technology business, Jobs did not believe that the technology itself was the most important factor in separating Apple from its competitors, saying โYouโve got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology…
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14 SeptemberFeatures
Behind the headline figures: Four reasons for optimism for retailers
The latest retail figures are showing signs of real encouragement for retailers. Retail sales volumes rose a better-than-expected 3.6% in July and are now above pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that sales rose 2% ahead of a 0.2% prediction by economists, and this was on…
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10 SeptemberAdvice
How the retail experience is evolving in a contactless world
The goalposts have moved for digital customer experience and retailers the world over need to excel online now or risk losing out. Covid-19 has triggered a colossal shift in consumer behaviour and shopping habits after millions of non-essential businesses were forced to close for months with little warning. In the…
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10 SeptemberNews
B&Q launches โBuild a Lifeโ campaign
B&Q has launched the โBuild a Lifeโ campaign, a new strategic brand initiative created with Uncommon Creative Studio, which is set to be rolled out through paid, owned and earned channels throughout September. The DIY retailerโs new campaign highlights its belief that โโanyone can change their home to make life…
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8 SeptemberHigh Street
JD Sports revenues slide in half-year results
JD Sports has reported a 6.5% decrease in total revenue to ยฃ2.5bn during the half-year period ended 1 August 2020. The decrease in revenue was split between sports fashion sales, which reduced by 4.6% to ยฃ2.4bn, and its outdoor range, which saw sales sink by 30.2% to ยฃ142.5m. Additionally, total…
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4 SeptemberLuxury Goods
H. Samuel owner swings to loss in Q2
The parent company of H.Samuel and Ernest Jones, Signet Jewellers, swung to a loss of $81.7m (ยฃ62m) in its second quarter of trading, down from a loss of $36.1 (ยฃ27.4m) the year before.ย Total sales also fell by 34.9% to $888m (ยฃ623m) in the quarter ended August 1, 2020. Meanwhile,…
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3 SeptemberHigh Street
Retail vacancy rate reaches six-year high
Retail shop vacancies have reached a six-year high due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research from Springboard. The research found the UK vacancy rate rose to 10.8% in July up from 9.8% in January, which means it is now at the highest level since January…
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Aug- 2020 -27 AugustCoronavirus
Majority of retail office workers feel unsafe returning to work after Covid-19
Only 28% of office workers in the retail, catering and leisure sector feel safe returning to work after the pandemic, despite new health and safety measures that have been put in place. This is according to new research from insurance provider Protectivity, which asked office workers around the UK how…
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26 AugustNews
Retailers tap into โback to schoolโ feeling to boost sales
Retailers have been advised to tap into the โback to schoolโ feeling to help sales as the recession hits, according to research carried out by eBay Advertising It comes as one in four consumers plan to set โโfresh intentionsโโ in September to mark the start of the new school year,…
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20 AugustComment
How retailers can use feedback during a crisis to strengthen their brand
Itโs no secret that the retail industry has been severely affected by Covid-19-related shutdowns and a crumbling economy. Despite non-essential retail being allowed to open its brick-and-mortar stores, there is still much uncertainty about what exactly lies ahead for the sector. Pair this with the pressure of ensuring brand survival…
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