Opinion – Page 7
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Opinion‘Retail pay is rising at record levels – something’s got to give’
The investment case for technology increasingly stands up because people are becoming more expensive, observes Fran Minogue
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Opinion‘WHSmith, JD Sports and Primark can successfully target a slice of American retail pie’
Retailers from this side of the pond have frequently come a cropper when attempting to expand in the US, but the signs look good for JD Sports, Primark and WHSmith judging by the retailers’ updates this week, believes George MacDonald
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Opinion‘As Vinted dominates pre-loved fashion, are retailers missing a trick?’
Earlier this month, eBay scrapped seller fees on consumer-to-consumer fashion and it’s no wonder – the secondhand market for clothing is soaring. But there is one problem for established players such as eBay and Depop: the exodus of customers switching to Vinted
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Opinion‘Asos and Superdry will remain fashion victims unless they win back customers’
While Asos and Superdry can tinker with things behind the scenes as much as they like, neither brand seems able to articulate how they plan to go about attracting new customers or winning old ones back.
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Opinion‘The voice of 3 million retail workers is finally being heard on crime’
A new law that makes assaulting store staff a specific offence is welcome news and shows that retail – an industry that sometimes feels ignored by those making decisions – can still exert influence in the corridors of power, says George MacDonald
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OpinionJohn Lewis Partnership: where should the new executive team focus?
With the strengthening of its leadership team and the appointment of former Tesco boss Jason Tarry as chair, what does the future hold for John Lewis? Retail Week data and insights director Lisa Byfield-Green examines the areas of the business that require focus and the priorities that lie ahead
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Opinion‘As Shein leads global fashion, there’s opportunity to differentiate on what it cannot do’
Shein became the world’s biggest fashion retailer in 2023. Retail Week data and insights director Lisa Byfield-Green considers the implications of Shein’s rise and identifies winning strategies its competitors can adopt in response
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Opinion‘Superdry investors face stark choice as Dunkerton takeover bid stumbles’
In the few days since everybody was feasting on Easter eggs, Superdry’s share price has shattered into more pieces than Humpty Dumpty
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Opinion‘In retail’s AI-enabled future, practical application should reign supreme’
The spike in interest catalysed by generative AI advances has reframed the potential for how much further it could drive critical business improvements, believes Brian Kalms
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Opinion‘Under new management, customer complaints are music to the ears at Morrisons’
It was Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates who said “your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning” – now Morrisons seems to be taking the same view.
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Opinion‘Being a high-performing retail leader today is harder than ever’
The role of retail chief executive is not for the faint-hearted, but former Walmart International boss Judith McKenna embodies some of the best leadership characteristics, believes Spencer Stuart’s Sally Elliott
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Opinion‘Without Ray Kelvin’s idiosyncratic imprint, has Ted Baker lost its identity?’
Less than two years after its £211m acquisition by US brand development giant Authentic Brands, it looks as if Ted Baker’s core UK business is next in the administrators’ retail inbox.
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Opinion‘Boots’ back-to-the-office diktat is clinging to a past that no longer exists’
Just as employees must recognise that a business has the right to dictate the terms of their employment, businesses must understand that talent retention is contingent on working policies that align with candidates’ expectations, argues Tony Gregg.
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Opinion‘Recent retail volatility has created M&A bargains’
The stock market’s lacklustre interest in retail is beginning to reflect in bid activity from investors attracted by some extremely low valuations, observes Matt Truman
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Opinion‘Would London celebrate or shun a potential Shein IPO?’
A London listing by online fashion giant Shein would be a blockbuster arrival on an ailing stock exchange. But would the City welcome it with open arms or turn its back?
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Opinion‘Body Shop shows standing still is the most dangerous thing you can do in retail’
Retailers such as Lush and Rituals show the kind of mentality that bricks-and-mortar retailers need, by giving customers an experience they can’t get on a screen, maintains Natalie Berg.
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Opinion‘Currys shareholders should hold out for a valuation that reflects long-term prospects’
For pretty much as long as China’s economic star has been in the ascendant, there has been speculation that one of its new generation of digital retail powerhouses might move to swoop on a venerable UK name.
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Opinion‘We may be on the cusp of emerging from a final act of austerity’
There could well be light at the end of the tunnel for retailers, believes OC&C’s Matt Coode
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Opinion‘The Body Shop’s plunge into administration leaves a bad smell’
The early new year often brings retail administrations, and so it has sadly proved for The Body Shop’s UK business.
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Opinion‘We need a government that offers business leaders a seat at the table’
Retail needs to see joined-up government thinking that understands you cannot increase costs from every angle all at once, says the BRC’s Helen Dickinson
