Opinion time is the voice of retailers & retail industry figures, find out what they have to say here on Retail Times
It’s needless to say that the last few months have been incredibly testing for businesses, and the people within them. As we have navigated the complex challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, employees across the country have been working tirelessly,
As the retail industry settles into the ‘new normal’, e-commerce platform Kooomo advises on why sustainability still needs to be top of the agenda
Global teledentistry pioneer SmileDirectClub opened in the UK in 2019 as part of its rapid international expansion plans to offer accessible, affordable, and convenient solution of direct-to-consumer teeth straightening with clear aligner therapy. Its presence in multiple markets, including the
The global disruption caused by Covid-19 has provided the e-commerce industry with a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, but digital-first businesses must be agile and embrace change in order to continue capitalising on this retail evolution, the latest report from
A new survey of members by UKHospitality (UKH), the sector trade association, shows that hospitality businesses are predicting a lengthy and painful recovery with levels of trade expected to be significantly supressed for many months to come.
Stock management issues cost retailers £1.6billion before the coronavirus outbreak and could rise to over £66bn this year because of disruption caused by COVID-19. Now retailers are re-opening their doors to customers and effective inventory management will be key.
As fears over coronavirus fuel a sudden spike in contactless transactions, Rob Crutchington, managing director of Encoded, explores the vital role of IVR or Interactive Voice Response to deliver fast, secure card payments that boost agent performance and customer confidence
Commenting on the reopening of all non-essential retail today, David Fox, co-head of retail agency at Colliers International, said: “From looking at the response in other countries and retail sectors in the UK which have already opened up, the indications
On Monday, non-essential retailers in England will open their doors for the first time in 12 weeks. The coming month will give an indication of consumer confidence and whether the recession we have now entered will be as deep as
Ahead of non-essential shops in the UK re-opening on Monday, supply chain expert Blue Yonder and IT services company Insight, warn flash sales are a quick fix that could result in longer term problems
In the space of just a few months, the Covid-19 pandemic has turned the working landscape upside down. Businesses across the country have been forced to review and adjust their operating models - and make difficult decisions in order to
Commenting on non-essential retail stores re-opening from Monday 15 June, Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said: “For those retailers that were deemed non-essential during the nation’s lockdown, the re-opening of stores on Monday 15 June mark a
According to new research from Engine Insights, 47% of consumers are willing to visit a store this week. While most consumers are feeling ready, they’re still slightly anxious about getting back to shopping brick and mortar, amidst continued health concerns,
It feels like a millennia ago that we were able to go into a store and browse the latest fashion, buy a coffee or sit and relax in a trendy bar. COVID -19 has changed the world – and it
The British Retail Consortium has reported that total UK sales have decreased in comparison to last year, due to continued shop closures caused by the UK’s lockdown; over the three months leading up to May, non-food in store sales dropped
Despite some encouraging recent data, the continuing impact of the COVID-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 7.2% in 2020, with the economy unlikely to be able to fully restart until a vaccine or effective treatments
Do all the visual assets on your website ‘spark joy,’ as tidying guru Marie Kondo, might ask? Just as being locked down has inspired many of us to do some deep spring-cleaning in our homes, it’s an equally ideal time
New research from workforce management expert, Quinyx, reveals the impact coronavirus is having on the mental health of deskless retail workers across the UK. The research reveals that pre-existing anxieties and mental health issues among deskless retail workers are being
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention – and as businesses continue to face the enormous challenges brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, this has never felt more relevant. The speed at which the virus hit has
Physical stores remain a key driver to success for retailers, according to the latest research from global real estate advisor, CBRE. The government’s furlough scheme and business rates relief have provided lifelines for many retailers since the outbreak, but further
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the global economy has experienced severe hardship. In addition to the illness itself, the response strategies put forward by international public health organizations have been a necessary strain. Many business activities have come to a
Under Phase 2 of the Government’s Covid-19 recovery strategy roadmap, non-essential stores were supposed to open in phases starting on Monday. In the event, only open-air markets (and some car showrooms) actually opened, with the vast majority of retailers delayed
The central question each country – and in the U.S., each state – faces is how to trade off additional COVID-19 cases and the resulting deaths against the economic benefit of opening up the economy. Only an honest assessment of
The Coronavirus pandemic has created business challenges and opportunities alike, but how will it impact the future of supply chain recruitment? Read our latest insights to explore. By Leigh Anderson, managing director, Bis Henderson Recruitment
Businesses are still dealing daily with the complex and difficult challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and it is clear this will be the case for sometime. At the moment, the focus is on tackling the immediate fallout – working
