Articles in category: Opinion Time

Opinion time is the voice of retailers & retail industry figures, find out what they have to say here on Retail Times

Gaming trends to watch out for in 2021

Gaming has grown into a huge entertainment industry in recent years. Today it is deemed to be worth more than the sports, movie and music industries combined.

Why you’re going to really like the B2B online marketplace

B2C online marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart are a very big deal, with $2.67 trillion spent globally on the top 100 online marketplaces in 2020. That’s 62% of global online retail sales. Unsurprisingly the B2B world, from software and

Why it works: as stores reopen, retailers turn to body worn cameras to protect their staff

The lockdown is almost over; across the UK non-essential retailers are finally able to reopen. But with various Covid-19 restrictions likely to remain in place for some time, there’s a lingering concern in the minds of many retail leaders: how

Huawei: key innovations that will determine the retail landscape for apps and e-commerce in the year ahead

By Graham Long, director ecosystem development, Huawei UK Consumer Business Group

Why it works: why the US should follow the trend of live-stream selling

The world is in the midst of a major digitalization shift. We have been forced to embrace new and emerging technologies with the hopes of being able to stay connected socially as well as at work. Companies, families, and day-to-day

High street resurgence begins as non-essential retail reopens

David Hannah, principal consultant at Cornerstone Tax, discusses this important milestone for British businesses

How to lose customer loyalty before it’s even begun

Retailers must not destroy customer loyalty by offering a poor fulfilment experience, says Tobias Buxhoidt, founder and CEO of parcelLab

How retailers can ensure frictionless trade despite Brexit paperwork boom

Despite the promises, both anecdotal and data-backed evidence suggests that the UK’s transition out of the European Union has not been as smoothed as hoped. Official government figures state that exports of goods to the EU fell by 40% in

Large stores need to find new ways to connect with modern consumers, says senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

By Dr Amna Khan, senior lecturer in Consumer Behaviour and Retailing at Manchester Metropolitan University Last month the popular department store John Lewis announced that it will not reopen eight of its stores once the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease.

Bringing dark stores into the light: OneStock highlights new retailer opportunity

As stores reopen, what's the future for dark stores and how will their role change, asks Romulus Grigoras, founder and CEO of OneStock?

Last mile limbo: why retailers need to wake up to the post-purchase opportunity

With the demand for e-commerce growing exponentially, the pandemic has thrown the customer experience online into the spotlight. Retailers have work to do. And if you’re not sure where to look, the 'last mile' is flashing red.

Adatis: real time data underpins retail success with unpredictable shoppers

We live in unprecedented times and for retailers this challenging environment throws a new curve ball each week. Shopper behaviour is not easy to predict in normal circumstances and Covid-19 has exacerbated this challenge. This can, for example, be seen

The new high street: navigating tomorrow’s retail landscape with tech

As the retail sector prepares to reopen after Easter, UK shops are pulling out all the stops to persuade Britons to venture out to their local high streets and favourite stores. People are understandably cautious about returning to public spaces

How the rise in e-commerce has made delivery drivers the new front of house

When the pandemic rewrote the rules of everyday life, online retail became a lifeline for consumers and businesses alike. But coronavirus did more than increase the volume of online sales: it changed our relationship to e-commerce and reshaped the entire

In race to remain relevant, retailers need to get smart with data, says Microsoft UK

By Liz Leigh Bowler, Dynamics 365 senior product manager at Microsoft UK 2020 saw the retail industry change at an unprecedented pace. As shops moved online, supply chains were disrupted, consumer behaviour shifted, and the sector was forced to pivot

Data that delivers: the potential for fashion brands and retailers to tap into powerful data on the path to sustainability

A decade ago, sustainability was a cause championed by a visionary minority in fashion. Now, a better understanding of fashion’s environmental footprint and growing consumer demand for sustainable apparel means this is an issue for all brands and retailers, and

Charting the rise of home bakery businesses

Have you turned your hand to baking during lockdown? From basic banana breads to tasty care packages for loved ones, the rise of our new favourite hobby led to nationwide ingredient shortages last year and shows no sign of slowing.

Can a mix of experiential and instant gratification save Britain’s high streets?

Britain has famously been called a “a nation of shop keepers,” although whether it was Napoleon Bonaparte who coined the phrase, we don’t know for sure. It does, however, show that for hundreds of years, retailing has been key to

In my opinion: top hybrid retail features that retailers need to know in 2021

By Nils Zündorf, Amazon expert and managing director of the largest European Amazon agency, factor-a The pandemic’s effects on customer behaviour in 2020 lead to significant changes in the e-commerce world. With increases in online sales of over 30% compared to