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.
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.
2019 is set to be a big one when it comes to change, and as Brexit approaches, the retail and logistics industry won’t be immune from the shake up. But just as political unrest and consumer demand has encapsulated 2018,
Customer experience expert provides predictions of changes to the contact centre and customer service landscape for the year ahead
It’s no secret that the retail sector has had a tough year. From a host of high-profile CVAs, to reports of weakening consumer confidence in the run up to Brexit, it is clear that retailers are finding trading conditions more
Chief executives from a range of top consumer companies have urged young people starting out to focus on developing personal attributes, such as entrepreneurism, empathy and the readiness to take on new challenges, which increasingly drive success.
This weekend EU leaders will meet to discuss the UK’s final Brexit terms as headlines continue to ricochet between high anticipation and dashed hopes of a deal. The prospect of high import tariffs, labour shortages and a bonfire of regulations
The growing importance of Halloween as a retail shopping occasion underlines the importance for brands to exploit its potential by developing activation plans that are clearly linked to the specific needs of their target shoppers. Category management and shopper marketing expert
It’s time to start waking up to Click & Collect – not as a fulfillment afterthought – but as integral to the retail experience of the future. 12.75m UK consumare too valuable to be ignored. That’s the number that now prefer
Take a moment to consider how much time you spend on the Internet during an average day. When was the last time you purchased a product with the help of an online portal? The chances are high that you now
Nicla Di Palma, equity analyst at Brewin Dolphin, discusses a revival of consumer interest in the luxury sector ahead of London Fashion Week
When you turned on a tap at home this morning, it’s unlikely you will have given any thought to who made it never mind the mechanics that contribute to its functionality. And, while your interest in those often under-appreciated domestic
By Kevin Carrick at global retail software solutions provider Data Clarity The retail news has been dominated by reports of the buyout of House of Fraser by Mike Ashley, the owner of Sports Direct for £90m, and his vision for creating the
Retailers can combat the current challenging market conditions by adopting an 'in-house first approach', according to the CEO of one of Europe’s largest online electrical retailers, reichelt.
British American Tobacco’s e-cigarette brand Vype today announces the latest evolution in its range of vaping products – the Vype ePen 3.
Andy Burton, CEO of Tryzens, comments on the news that Britain’s largest businesses have cut 50,000 jobs in the last six months as high street shops struggle against online rivals “The high number of job cuts reported in the retail sector is unfortunate
Branded and own-label FMCG suppliers need to urgently prepare for the prospect of retailer delisting by identifying the steps they need to take to defend themselves against delisting and put themselves in a powerful position to positively argue their case. That’s
High street stores are having a tough time at the moment. Under pressure from on-line retailers, stores are almost permanently discounting prices, and at the same time closing or downscaling operations. This seems to be the new normal, and the high street
While offering free Wifi in-store can offer additional conversion opportunities to retailers, failing to deliver a friction-free service could, in fact, result in poor customer experience and lost sales opportunities, the latest research from Vodat, a leading communications provider, warns.
For many ambitious, innovative, smaller manufacturers, supplying to national supermarket chains is something of a Holy Grail, a game-changing relationship which allows them to scale up to undreamt heights.
Some retail outlets are experimenting with moving to digital payment-only operations. As non-cash payments become the norm, some retailers, particularly in hospitality, no longer accept cash. Here Richard Loh, MD of Eurostop, and Mark McMurtrie, independent payments specialist outline the
