The comment column is for retail professionals to have their say. Whether responding to published opinion, reacting to or challenging reports or commenting on retail trends and predictions this is where you can gauge sentiment on all sorts of retail focussed topics.
Boarded up windows, closing-down sales and a huge growth in e-commerce retail has seen the UK’s high streets continue to suffer in recent years. Although there are many factors to consider when assessing why some shops fail and others thrive,
The so-called decline of the Great British high street has been widely discussed for a while now, with the retail sector suffering adversely as a result of Brexit uncertainty and the growing dominance of ecommerce channels. In fact, the former
In the digital age, your business should not only have a social media presence, but also a strategy built around the use of social media. However, your company might not have the kind of scale to reach a lot of
There is more pressure now than ever to build a supply chain that is as efficient and responsive as possible – but is it possible to achieve both?
April’s ONS retail statistics show overall sales down 0.3% against March, with High Street department stores sales shrinking 0.7%. But in a rare glimpse of hope, their online sales soared 12.4%
The CBI has responded to a speech by Theresa May, setting out a timetable for her departure as UK Prime Minister.
On the 20 May, the Tobacco Products Directive came into force; initially affecting the manufacture, distribution and sale of cigarettes and roll your own tobacco . Products will not be allowed into the market, if they are not uniquely serialised
Two fifths of UK adults say that eating healthily is of high importance to them and 47% of consumers claim they are trying to reduce their fat intake therefore it is important that caterers think about introducing healthier ingredients into
Summer festivals and outdoor events are an amazing opportunity to get your brand noticed and to have face-to-face interactions with customers that help them build a meaningful relationship with your brand.
The spring sunshine came as a pleasant surprise to British consumers last week, who were out in force and driving double-digit growth for pubs and restaurants nationwide.
Does your e-commerce website appear in Google search engine results? Are search engines driving sales to your website? If you do not have an online presence that is noticed by your target audience, how will you ever get ahead? Do
By Andrew Witkin, founder and president, StickerYou No matter what you’re selling, you should be making storytelling an important part of your brand. Stories are an ingrained part of who we are as human beings, something we have been doing
On the list of marketing priorities, unboxing often comes last. But it shouldn’t. The unboxing experience can be a powerful way to reach consumers and engage with them in a meaningful way, leaving a positive impression that they may share
Waste reduction charity WRAP reports that households throw away approximately 7.1m tonnes of food each year. A further 3.1m tonnes is thrown away having expired on shelves in stores or in the supply chain. Meanwhile, University of Edinburgh research claims
With billions of people accessing the internet on a daily basis, digital marketing has become a necessity for businesses across the globe. How well you plan and execute your digital marketing strategy will directly affect the growth of
The annual cost of fires in the UK is estimated by the Fire Sector Federation to be a staggering £9.1 billion. Shockingly, for the fire service, the cost of call outs is rising, and the greatest increases are a consequence
With British consumers expected to spend in the region of £400 million on Easter eggs and Easter-related confectionery this year, the increasing choice of options available on supermarket shelves reflects the continuing fragmentation of UK shoppers and their needs.
Keeping your customers coming back time and time again is crucial in securing the long-term sustainability of your business – but how can you ensure they are getting the same high-quality service when ordering online as they might expect in-store?
Brexit, global economic uncertainty, climate change, consumer unease with the impact retail is having on the planet. All and any of these factors can be said to be having an impact on the UK retail industry. Notably, following a damning
The UK Government announced today it will scrap tariffs on most shipments coming into Britain following a no deal Brexit; and ruled out new checks and controls at the EU/UK Irish border in an attempt to reduce new costs, delays
The retail landscape is constantly shifting. Whether it’s the disruption of e-commerce and customization, or the changing moods of consumers, nothing in retail stays the same for long. Because of this, it’s imperative to stop on occasion and take stock
By Sid Holian, managing director of Bis Henderson Consulting, an operating division of Bis Henderson Group
It’s hard to find a cashier at the Amazon Go stores now open in Seattle and Chicago. It’s not because they’re all taking a break at once, it’s because they don’t exist. The fledgling store, with four
Gone are the days of large-scale manufacturing and the adoption of a one-size-fits-all approach to retailing. The key to retail growth in the FMCG industry is personalisation. Possessing a more in-depth understanding of what, when and where consumers are buying,
As convenience retail continues to grow as an industry sector, retailers must remain focused on the most significant trends that will see their businesses flourish, and in so doing, strengthen their standing in the ever-competitive retail environment.
