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 government’s announcement of an easing of lockdown measures marks a move into the next phase of the COVID-19 crisis for many businesses - and brings with it a new set of complex challenges. As I said at the start
In the current economic climate with a backdrop of Covid-19, lots of questions are being asked about the future of our high streets as we start to ease through the lockdown. Paul Latimer – the owner of Latimer Appleby –
Brands have an incredible opportunity to reinvent themselves and to dramatically accelerate their digital transformation, according to David Lloyd, general Manager, UK, Nordics and Netherlands at Alibaba Group. Commenting on the latest BRC-KMPG Retail Sales Monitor, which reported a record
Nothing forces change like a crisis. Retailers that have been slow to complete their digital transformation are now being forced into it by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The British Safety Council has today demanded that no worker be forced back to their workplace until it has been made safe. The government has indicated that more people should be going to work and last night the prime minister,
Bradley Williams, director of Unique Fire and Security, says fever screening technology will support businesses in protecting staff and customers as lockdown measures are relaxed
Fear. Uncertainty. A growing sense of panic every time the president delivers a national address about the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus. Chatter around the workplace these days is filled with questions like: Will I get sick? Will I have
Night-time store deliveries were last permitted during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The idea was reawakened in March to help the fight against Covid-19. ParcelHero says this time night deliveries should be made permanent once the crisis is over,
“With the government due to announce its exit strategy to the current lockdown rules this week, retailers should be anticipating that they soon may be able to start reopening their doors. This means it’s essential they begin to put plans
Over the next few weeks, the UK will take its first steps towards emerging from lockdown. Like many other sectors, retail has been hit hard, with the majority of high street outlets forced to close for a significant period. For
As policy shifts towards fighting the global pandemic, green concerns are in danger of being side-lined, Gilles Moëc, chief economist at AXA Investment Managers says.
The younger generation has more possibilities for success at their disposal than any other time in recent history.
Dame Sharon White, the chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, is currently looking at new retail opportunities beyond the department store and Waitrose Food Halls. This comes as sales across the group are predicted to drop by 35% in 2020,
The food and beverage industry should capitalise on its prominence during the Covid-19 crisis to hire top management talent.
The coronavirus epidemic, in addition to the High Street collapse that was already well underway even before the lockdown started, has meant many manufacturers have had to question the way they ensure their products reach their customers.
The finance versus fatalities argument around COVID-19 is heating up, with nearly two-thirds (58%) of small business owners wanting to be back at work without restrictions by the end of May.
Retailer and leisure occupiers have welcomed further restrictions on commercial landlords against aggressive debt recovery actions, yet with landlords increasingly feeling they have been hung out to dry what should retailers expect when restrictions are lifted?
The coronavirus has hit retail hard. Footfall has all but been eradicated on our high streets and government appeals have urged consumers to only purchase essential items. Physical stores have been threatened like never before and e-commerce has faced challenges
Remote onboarding, video interviews, and contract hires were the top three queries received by global recruiter Robert Walters in Q1.
Aaron Zander, head of IT at HackerOne, the hacker-powered security platform, on what security measures to take when using video conferencing tools such as Zoom
‘Scale and pace’ is the imperative for supply chain transformations in this time of crisis. A critical need for a further 60,000 home delivery drivers is just one concern – managing complex transformations is another. Could skilled interim managers be
The cost of a basket of goods has risen as much as £7 as supermarkets remove promotions to curb panic-buying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data published by The Grocer indicates that prices of 33 chosen goods have risen across UK
These are extraordinary times, and businesses across the world are facing challenges no one could have anticipated just a few short months ago. From managing the transition to remote working, to making tough decisions on cutting costs, the focus for
Many businesses will need to consider demolishing their old business models to create new ones due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor of International Business and Strategy at Surrey Business School. Professor Rauwani said: "The pandemic has
The sun is shining and the retail buyers have worked all year to get the right stock into the warehouses predicting consumer demand down to the exact date consumers begin to turn their thoughts to a particular product. For the
