Opinion time is the voice of retailers & retail industry figures, find out what they have to say here on Retail Times
Does the pandemic spell the end of the high street? No, it doesn’t and here’s why. High streets in our towns and cities are the heartbeat of society, enabling human connection.
The effects of this year have seen the influencer marketing industry ramp up, and by a significant amount, too. Our Instagram feeds are filled with more ADs than before and the battle is on for brands to secure long-lasting, authentic
The recent list of retail collapses from the Arcadia group and Debenhams through to Karen Millen and Bonmarche rings in big changes in the retail landscape. The shift from high street shopping to online has no doubt been accelerated
Roger Wade, CEO and founder of BOXPARK, comments on recent events and the importance of the British high street
David Lloyd, general manager for the UK, Nordics and Netherlands at Alibaba Group outlines three key trends which he believes will shape the retail sector in 2021
As the high street finally opens back up this week it is still unknown how the pandemic will affect footfall during retail’s busiest trading period.
The story of retail in 2020 is one of extreme contrasts. On the one hand, the Amazons, Asos and supermarket operators of the world have all enjoyed tremendous success; on the other, almost every other segment of the industry has
In the face of multiple ‘once-in a generation’ challenges, retailers across the breadth of the industry are working tirelessly to equip their businesses to survive and thrive through change. Many of us are feeling at the mercy of elements –
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in March, shoppers were left with no choice but to buy online, and as a result, e-commerce sales rocketed to a 10-year high. Due to new social distancing measures, retailers were left to grapple
This year has been a rollercoaster for the retail sector, there is no doubt about it. Fashion brands are calling for administration, home entertainment is at an all-time high, customers are changing behaviours with every new media headline. But there
Many people will say 2020 is a year to forget. The pandemic has had unimaginable consequences on our lives – both professional and personal. However, as I look back over the last eight months and reflect on how retailers and
For several years, there has been a very evident and well publicised demise of local high streets as they struggle to compete with the ease and efficiency of online shopping. This has led to what is commonly termed the ‘death
Sam Counterman, director of marketing, Northern Europe & global digital lead at Selligent discusses what customers really want from brands in testing times
New approaches to drive-thru service have helped c-store and QSR chains adapt to the pandemic—and they stand to yield big benefits far into the future, said Joseph Bona, Principal & Founder of Bona Design Lab, in an online presentation for
In recent years there has been a growing trend towards ‘conscious consumerism’ and a call for brands to act in more inclusive and ethical ways. We only need to visit social media to see that this has accelerated in 2020.
Amelia Neate, senior manager at Influencer Matchmaker, has explained why brands should focus on building brand tribes and why engagement between influencers and consumers is so important.
The CBI’s chief economist has warned the UK faces a “bleak midwinter”, with the economy expected to contract as new coronavirus restrictions hit businesses hard in the final quarter. Government investment and support may help to prevent “economic scarring”, but
According to IMRG, the UK’s online retail association, online sales in the UK grew by just 6.7% in 2019, but “a surprising surge in sales during Q4 suggests that it could be on track to bounce back in 2020.” That
New small business research has revealed five simple actions that owners in the retail sector can take to get control of their energy bills during this difficult time.
With a second national lockdown forcing shoppers online this winter, leading compliance authority Bureau Veritas is reiterating to retailers and logistics firms extending their e-commerce capacity to put in place the extra health, safety and hygiene measures this inevitably requires.
As Lockdown 2.0 closes Britain’s High Streets for a second time, the UK courier services expert ParcelHero says retailers and home delivery networks are braced for a massive surge in deliveries. ParcelHero says that, unlike the first lockdown, supermarkets, online
With England going into lockdown for the second time from Thursday 5th November, Kirsty Harris-Clarke, managing director of SalesOut, offers her predictions on the effect this will have on the wholesale market: "Our unrivalled level of data insight means that
How often have we heard of the demise of a retailer being linked to poor decision-making? For a long time (at least pre-pandemic), an inability to combat the rise of ecommerce was often positioned as the reason for many retailers’
COVID-19 has slowed down the majority of fashion retailers, but, as lockdown continues, fashion firms are beginning to regain their positions in the market through re-evaluation of their current business models. Fashion retailers must strip back the layers within the
Retailers already buffeted by fierce competition, fickle shoppers and 24/7 complete price transparency face even more daunting challenges in the pandemic era. A recent DemandTec-commissioned global study polled shoppers in Brazil, France, Germany and UK and the U.S. and confirmed
