Omnichannel
This coverage explores the evolution and execution of omnichannel strategies within the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights technology integration, customer experience innovations, store–online alignment, supply chain adjustments, and leadership decisions driving seamless retail operations. Designed for executives and managers, it provides analysis to support strategic planning and operational excellence across digital and physical retail channels.
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Dec- 2024 -9 DecemberNews
J. Crew appoints new chief marketing officer
Omnichannel retailer J. Crew has appointed Julia Collier as the new chief marketing officer of the group. Collier was most recently senior vice president of marketing at Skims where she ran brand marketing and creative. She will now start her new role on 6 January 2025. In her new role,…
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9 DecemberAdvice
The gift card revolution: insights from Anna Uprichard
Gift cards have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from simple gestures of convenience into powerful tools that drive consumer behavior, boost employee morale, and support public welfare. Few know this space better than Anna Uprichard, vice president of commerce for Blackhawk Network (BHN), a global leader in…
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4 DecemberNews
Ruggable launches first in-store presence through John Lewis partnership
Ruggable has announced that for the first time in the UK market, its rugs will be available to view in-store as part of its recent retail partnership with John Lewis. The washable rug brand will be part of an in-store experience at the John Lewis flagship store on London’s Oxford…
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Nov- 2024 -26 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Next triples presence at Bluewater with new upsized store
Next is growing its presence at Bluewater Kent by tripling its footprint at the shopping centre. The retailer will relocate into one of its largest stores in the UK as brands increasingly look to invest in the best locations. Next is upsizing from its existing 44,600 sq ft store into…
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26 NovemberNews
Halfords CEO calls for apprenticeship levy reform as sales drop 1% in H1
Halfords has called on the Government to reform the apprenticeship levy amid a 1% drop in revenues for the 26 weeks to 27 September 2024. Revenues for the retailer dropped to £864.8m in H1 FY25, compared to £873.5m in 2024. Autocentres, which accounts for 40% of total sales, reported a…
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19 NovemberAdvice
Melissa Minkow: Bridging Retail Innovation and Consumer-Centric Solutions
Melissa Minkow, Global Director, Retail Strategy at CI&T, has built a career fusing customer insights with transformative technology. From her early days at Anthropologie to leading retail innovation strategies for global clients, her journey is a testament to how curiosity, expertise, and vision can reshape an industry. “I like to…
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18 NovemberFeatures
Digital shelf analysis: The secret weapon for brands this golden quarter
In Britain, 67% of consumers plan to spend the same or more than last year during the 2024 golden quarter1 so brands will need to pull out all the stops to get their slice of the pie, particularly when it comes to sales and marketing strategies. With huge retail events…
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Oct- 2024 -29 OctoberHigh Street
New Look pre-tax losses narrow despite fall in FY sales
New Look has reported that its pre-tax losses narrowed from £87.8m to £21.7m for the year to 30 March, despite sales dropping 8.9% to £769.2m due to store closures and “tough” trading conditions. During the period, New Look saw retail revenues fall by 11.5% to £555.1m, which was impacted by…
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21 OctoberComment
Brilliant customer engagement starts with a strong employee experience
Blair McVicar’s journey through the world of retail may have started in a familiar place—working on the shop floor of a department store—but his trajectory since has been anything but typical. Now the Global Head of Customer Success at Proximity, McVicar initially juggled retail work with studying US politics at…
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14 OctoberComment
Why American Golf put its people at the centre of its retail ‘reset’
In the world of retail, few professionals can claim the breadth of experience and transformative leadership that Elaine Wrigley has garnered over nearly four decades in the industry. With roles spanning everything from fashion to food, DIY to outdoor retail, and now her current position in golf retail, Wrigley has…
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