Pandemic
This coverage examines the impact of pandemics on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational disruption, financial challenges, consumer behaviour shifts, and recovery strategies. Reporting highlights store closures, safety measures, supply chain pressures, leadership decisions, and lessons learned to enhance resilience. Tailored for executives and managers, it provides insights to navigate crisis situations and strengthen preparedness.
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Dec- 2024 -20 DecemberFeatures
Lex Deak on how Basket is revolutionising e-commerce and reshaping consumer habits
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, few ideas seem destined to stand the test of time. Yet Lex Deak, the founder of Basket, may have cracked the code. A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” Deak’s innovative app is designed to make online shopping more intuitive, efficient, and personal. In a candid conversation,…
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18 DecemberComment
Becoming a heritage brand of the future
For Jessica Hanley, founder of Piglet in Bed, building a brand was always the goal. Inspired by the shifting ways brands were communicating with consumers, Hanley identified a gap in the homewares market: a need for products that reflected modern lifestyles—beautiful, sustainable, and effortlessly authentic. Combining creativity, an entrepreneurial spirit,…
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13 DecemberAnalysis
How China and ‘memory makers’ are shaping luxury retail trends
The global luxury retail market is at a turning point, navigating economic shifts, evolving consumer preferences, and new growth opportunities. Insights from Morningstar’s Luxury Landscape and other industry reports have explained what trends really shaped the luxury segment year, giving us a good idea of what to expect in 2025.…
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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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5 DecemberAnalysis
What’s stopping supermarkets from selling loose fruit and veg?
Aldi is taking a bold step toward reducing plastic waste by trialling 12 new loose fruit and vegetable lines across select stores in Northern England. Customers in County Durham, Cumbria, and other northern regions can now buy items like parsnips, broccoli, ginger, and oranges without the unnecessary plastic wrap. If…
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4 DecemberAdvice
Tradition meets innovation: Sam Walker’s vision for Walker & Ling
Sam Walker, owner and manager of Walker & Ling, stands at the helm of a business steeped in history yet firmly focused on the future. As the fifth-generation leader of this independent, family-run department store, Walker carries forward a legacy that dates back to 1892, all while navigating the rapidly…
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2 DecemberFeatures
What is the Retail Crime Bill and its implications for retailers?
The UK Retail Crime Bill, introduced in the 2024 King’s Speech, is a legislative response to the rise in retail crime, including theft, organized retail theft, and assaults on shopworkers. The bill represents a step forward in addressing the financial, operational, and emotional toll retail crime has on businesses, employees,…
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Nov- 2024 -27 NovemberComment
Problem-solving to jewellery design: Creating a new brand from scratch
In the world of retail and jewellery, Sarah Parham, founder of Sarah Verity Jewellery, has carved out a unique space by combining problem-solving skills with bold creativity. Her journey from an advertising career to creating a jewellery brand is a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the belief that anything is…
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22 NovemberNews
Retail sales dip by 0.7% in October
Retail sales have dipped in October by 0.7% following a rise of 0.1% in September, the ONS has revealed. New figures released today (22 November) show that when compared with their pre-coronavirus pandemic level in February 2020, volumes were down by 1.5%. However, over the year to October 2024, sales…
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21 NovemberComment
Third spaces: The changing face of retail outlets
Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Retail Business Development at Global Mutual, embodies the transformation of retail over the past few decades. From her beginnings as a buyer at Selfridges to leading a portfolio of outlet centres across the UK, Lovell has witnessed and influenced the evolution of shopping destinations,…
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