Retail Week
Joanna Perry

  • The mobile multiplier

    27-Jan-2012

    Joanna Perry has been a journalist for more than a decade, specialising in technology, ecommerce and the retail sector.

  • Retail 2012

    January 27 2012

    Retail Week reveals the highlights from our latest free-to-subscriber research into forecasts from the UK’s leading retailers. Joanna Perry reports.

  • Debenhams digital boss exits for Gucci

    January 27 2012

    Debenhams’ digital head Harriet Williams has left the retailer to lead Gucci’s global ecommerce charge.

  • BT headline sponsor Retail Week Technology Awards 2012

    20-Jan-2012

    Retail Week is proud to announce that for the third year running, BT has signed up as the headline sponsor of the BT Retail Week Technology Awards. The awards are now open for entries, with the ceremony held in London on the June 19 this year.

  • Dollar Bill

    17-Jan-2012

    Former US president Bill Clinton was the big speaker draw at New York’s NRF this year. But what does he know about retail?

  • Carpetright IT and e-commerce director Ian Woosey made redundant

    15-Dec-2011

    Carpetright group IT and e-commerce director Ian Woosey has been made redundant following a review of the business.

  • Group buy-in

    14-Dec-2011

    Why retailers won’t be surprised to hear Groupon is facing an OFT investigation.

  • A future for fashion retail

    30-Nov-2011

    Fashion retailers can’t afford to put barriers in the way of customers who want to make purchases. Technology will be crucial to the customer experience they deliver next year.

  • A year is a long time in multichannel

    November 25 2011

    The definitive guide to the multichannel strategies of the largest UK retailers.

  • Slower but not steady

    4-Nov-2011

    The growth rate of online sales is slowing in the UK, but there are still plenty of interesting dynamics at play that are likely to revitalise many businesses, finds Joanna Perry.

  • Etail gets bigger and better in 2011

    November 4 2011

    Congratulations to everyone who has made it into our second Retail Week Etail Power List.

  • Price premiums

    October 28 2011

    Retailers are beginning to analyse prices along a product’s lifecycle in order to maximise their returns, finds Joanna Perry.

  • Watch this space

    26-Oct-2011

    Kiddicare’s bold plans for 12 superstores are a blueprint for the future of multichannel retail.

  • Superstore roll-out on the cards for Kiddicare

    October 21 2011

    Morrisons-owned nursery retailer to open national chain of destination stores in multichannel push.

  • Tesco to make redundancies in fashion department

    19-Oct-2011

    Tesco is set to make redundancies within its fashion merchandising team following a recent drop in general merchandise sales.

  • Why Steve Jobs changed retail

    6-Oct-2011

    The Apple founder, who died this week, may not have been best known as a retailer. But the brand he created profoundly changed our industry. Here Retail Week explains why.

  • Google enters the store

    21-Sep-2011

    With the long-awaited launch of its Google Wallet mobile app for contactless payment, the internet giant is trying to take a slice of store sales.

  • Magic moments

    20-Jul-2011

    With a variety of retailers signing up for O2’s Priority Moments location marketing scheme, can mobile wave its wand over the high street?

  • Store closures: why the internet is not to blame

    29-Jun-2011

    The internet doesn’t kill retailers, retailers do.

  • Business as usual, but faster

    23-Jun-2011

    Retailers are adjusting to the new post-recession market, which means never allowing their businesses to stand still. By Joanna Perry

  • BT Retail Week Technology Awards: IT's big night out

    15-Jun-2011

    Last night’s BT Retail Week Technology Awards gave IT teams from across the industry a chance to shine (and show off their Scalextric skills).

  • The future is here

    June 3 2011

    Retail Week’s supplement shows just how much innovation has taken place in the payment arena in the past five years. Not all has been welcomed by retailers, but they will adopt new payment options where there is customer demand.

  • Poor pricing costs

    1-Jun-2011

    Stores, supply chains and sourcing operations have all come under scrutiny, but how many retailers have invested in optimising their merchandising decisions?

  • Let me show you the way

    25-May-2011

    Applications to help shoppers navigate stores are likely to be the next big thing in m-commerce.

  • Social by design

    19-May-2011

    Social media is yet to deliver volume sales, yet its founding principles are something that everyone designing customer-facing technology should be focused on.

  • Sainsbury’s moves into fashion top 10 by volume

    April 21 2011

    Sainsbury’s has broken into the top 10 UK fashion retailers by volume as it further ramps up its non-food offer by extending stores to create more space.

  • Asda installs ‘go-getters for forgetters’

    April 21 2011

    Asda is to permanently install ‘go-getters for forgetters’ in all its 340 superstores from Easter.

  • Boris vows to protect retailers from more West End protests

    April 21 2011

    Meeting aims to stop future demonstrations damaging trade for retailers in London’s West End.

  • Walmart: Welcome to Silicon Valley

    20-Apr-2011

    The world’s largest retailer is dipping its toe into the California dotcom innovation hotbed with the acquisition of a social media company that has created a platform to connect people with relevant real-time information.

  • BT Retail Week Technology Awards shortlist announced

    19-Apr-2011

    The shortlist for Retail Week’s technology awards includes all of the big four supermarkets as well as retailers from across the spectrum of speciality retail.

  • Panda is not black and white

    13-Apr-2011

    Google’s latest site update – named Panda – is reported to be having a significant impact on the visibility of certain websites in natural search results.

  • Google AdWords and trademarks

    April 1 2011

    An ongoing legal battle over trademarks being bought as AdWords highlights the need for retailers to tread carefully when it comes to possible infringements

  • Is eBay trying to be Amazon?

    30-Mar-2011

    The purchase of ecommerce provider GSI Commerce by eBay has stirred up the ecommerce industry, but what does it mean for retailers?

  • Matalan planning to grow online business

    March 18 2011

    Value fashion and homewares group Matalan is to ramp up its ecommerce operations and plans to hire a top-level online retail specialist to drive growth.

  • A mobile-optimised site is a must

    17-Mar-2011

    Google’s retail, technology and business markets director Peter Fitzgerald told delegates at day two of Retail Week Conference that a mobile-optimised website should be their top priority for investment.

  • Green and Cheshire debate CVAs

    16-Mar-2011

    Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green told a packed audience at the Retail Week conference it is inevitable that landlords will accept CVAs because they are in their interest.

  • Double dip unlikely says retailer panel

    16-Mar-2011

    The chief executives of Debenhams, New Look and Kingfisher have all predicted that the UK will not suffer from a double dip recession.

  • Kiddicare crib notes

    16-Feb-2011

    Unless you have small children, there’s a chance that you might not be familiar with Morrisons’ acquisition Kiddicare. But Retail Week has been tracking the company’s progress for years. Here I give the lowdown on the retailer’s technical expertise.

  • Elementary, my dear Watson

    9-Feb-2011

    IBM Research’s self-learning system Watson is being hyped as a game-changer for the way companies do business. But do you want a computer providing customer service?

  • Five IT trends for future growth

    2-Feb-2011

    For many retailers the focus this year will be on cost control and maintaining margins rather than revenue growth. Yet research from Planet Retail shows that an astute use of technology helps retailers achieve better margins, lower costs and higher sales.

  • NRF: Polar opposites

    January 21 2011

    The big topic at this year’s NRF convention was the polarisation of global retail. Joanna Perry reviews the key themes, while on page 24, Rebecca Thomson examines the top technological innovations on show

  • NRF: Mobile's moment

    19-Jan-2011

    If social media was the hot topic at last year’s meeting of retail minds in New York, then this year the buzz was all about mobile.

  • Tesco to follow customer in services

    10-Jan-2011

    Tesco’s group strategy director Andrew Higginson says that there are no limits in the services that the retailer might be prepared to move into.

  • Under the weather

    7-Jan-2011

    The snow, swine flu, and subdued consumer sentiment conspired to keep shoppers away from stores in December.

  • Merry cross-channel Christmas

    8-Dec-2010

    Many UK retailers are into what will be their first peak trading period delivering true cross-channel services. And by the end of January we should have a better idea of what difference these investments in customer choice have made to their trading.

  • Multichannel Now

    November 26 2010

    Based on exhaustive interviews with many of the biggest names in UK retailing, Retail Week’s groundbreaking report Multichannel Now is the definitive guide to multichannel in the UK. Here, in an extract from the introduction to the report, its author Joanna Perry sums up the challenges the multichannel world is throwing up for retailers.

  • MULTICHANNEL NOW

    23-Nov-2010

    The definitive guide to the multichannel strategies of the largest UK retailers.

  • Etail receives the recognition it deserves

    November 12 2010

    Ecommerce has undoubtedly emerged as a driving force behind not just the retail industry, but the economy as a whole.

  • Directors stand down in New Look shake-up

    October 29 2010

    New Look finance director Patrick Burrows and group business change director Adrian Thompson have left the value fashion retailer.

  • US expansion

    October 8, 2010

    The US market is experiencing a flurry of activity from UK retailers, but what makes this current crop of American adventurers different?

  • Panic buying

    5-Oct-2010

    Retailers may not like the power the banks hold over them, but Barclaycard’s outage at the weekend shows how crucial payment services are.

  • Sustainability: The Start line

    October 1, 2010

    Retailers taking part in a sustainability summit say there are many areas where they should work together rather than compete. Joanna Perry reports

  • Amazon alert

    28-Sep-2010

    Amazon has launched the beta version of its ‘Kindle for the Web’ tool this week, allowing customers to try e-books before they buy, and showing the true power of the web.

  • Transport optimisation: On the right track

    September 24, 2010

    Retailers rely on technology to minimise delivery distances, whether they run their own fleets or not, finds Joanna Perry

  • Coming from all directions

    September 24, 2010

    The supply chain is one area of any retailer’s business that has had to rise to the challenge of improving its efficiency during the recession.

  • How much attention should you pay to mobile?

    22-Sep-2010

    The ICM consumer poll in the latest issue of Retail Week shows that mobile commerce is still in its infancy, yet the acceleration of retail could see it reach maturity much more quickly than the internet.

  • The Asda family tree

    September 17, 2010

    In the past 20 years, Asda has proved to be a finishing school for many of the retail industry’s highest flyers. Here Retail Week maps the connections, and the faces, that go to make up the family tree

  • Swiss watch (and learn)

    15-Sep-2010

    While demonstration labs will never replace real-life trials, they can open retailers’ minds and get their technology suppliers thinking.

  • Retail technology roundtable: Spend and save

    September 3, 2010

    Despite their budgets remaining depressed, the IT directors who joined Retail Week and BT Expedite to discuss their plans were upbeat on what can be achieved, found Joanna Perry

  • I Like.com

    25-Aug-2010

    Want to know what Google might come up with next to help consumers research products online? Well take a look at its latest purchase, visual search start-up Like.com.

  • Five and a half minute limit

    4-Aug-2010

    It’s no surprise to hear that shoppers don’t enjoy queues, but the question is what are retailers prepared to do about it?

  • Singing marketing’s praises

    July 30, 2010

    The four articles in this supplement show just some of the ways retailers have varied their use of marketing channels and tools to make their investment work harder.

  • Virtual research

    July 30, 2010

    Next has used social media not just as a marketing tool, but also as a way to provide feedback on whether it is using channels such as Facebook as effectively as possible, finds Joanna Perry

  • Indian take-aways

    28-Jul-2010

    The Prime Minister has taken a delegation out to India to show off our businesses and culture; but when it comes to retail and technology the ideas flow won’t be all one way.

  • Kingfisher trades its brightest ideas

    July 23, 2010

    The international retail group tried something different at its June conference to promote the exchange of ideas.

  • Computer says no

    21-Jul-2010

    A recent run-in with a laptop while trying to load Microsoft Office has reminded me just how important a good user interface is.

  • Mystery shopping: how Sainsbury's monitors customer experience

    July 16, 2010

    Sainsbury’s strongly believes regular monitoring of its stores is crucial to ensure its customer experience isn’t a mystery

  • The National Skills Academy: Training tomorrow’s top retailers

    July 16, 2010

    What has The National Skills Academy for Retail achieved in its first year?

  • Showcasing store technology

    7-Jul-2010

    The finals of the skillVM visual merchandising competition last week made me think about the best place for in-store technology in the future.

  • The customer knows best

    July 2, 2010

    OC&C’s customer research on a selection of retailers and their propositions will give the high street plenty to think about

  • One Stop invests in Galleria merchandising system

    23-Jun-2010

    Tesco-owned convenience chain One Stop is to optimise selling space in its stores using a merchandising system from Galleria.

  • EPoS: And your point is?

    June 18, 2010

    As retailers seek to improve the experience in their stores, what is most important to them when they are choosing a new EPoS system, asks Joanna Perry

  • BT Retail Week Technology Awards winners announced

    16-Jun-2010

    The winners of the BT Retail Week Technology Awards were announced at a ceremony in London last night.

  • Smart cookies

    9-Jun-2010

    Consumer expectations continue to run ahead of what retailers are delivering. But they clearly show what your customers want from multichannel services.

  • There’s a brand new world in store

    June 4, 2010

    Rebranding is often written off as no more than an expensive new logo. But when executed properly, the exercise can put a spotlight on real business change, as Joanna Perry discovers

  • Halfords’ distribution centre: Automatic for the people

    May 28, 2010

    Halfords’ new distribution centre in Coventry will give the retailer flexibility and provide massive cost savings. Joanna Perry took a tour while the technology was being tested

  • The price is right?

    May 28, 2010

    Despite topline inflation being high, an expected period of low shop price inflation could be painful for food retailers

  • Familiarity breeds contempt

    26-May-2010

    Loyalty is a hot topic at the moment. But retailers need to be mindful of the wider privacy debate when deciding just how much consumer data to collect.

  • Has online sales growth hit a wall?

    May 21, 2010

    With Game, HMV and Maplin all reporting falls in online sales, has the ecommerce boom plateaued, or is it a case of a few retailers underperforming?

  • Park life: retail parks bouncing back

    May 14, 2010

    Retail parks have been on the back foot, but new names are now starting to freshen up their offers and draw footfall.

  • Aye, aye Captain

    12-May-2010

    A visit to Unilever’s Customer Insight & Innovation Centre highlights just how seriously it takes its role as a category captain.

  • The Retail Cabinet

    May 7, 2010

    As the new Government is announced, Retail Week imagines a country run by the UK’s top retailers. Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy is an obvious choice for prime minister, but whose business skills would he be calling on to work alongside him in his first cabinet?

  • Kiosks

    May 7, 2010

    In its annual results last week, Home Retail Group talked about the importance of kiosks to the Argos store experience. So are they making a comeback?

  • Guiding the guidelines

    5-May-2010

    Two recent examples of draft guidelines relating to ecommerce show why retailers must be prepared to lobby if they don’t want to be stuck with unworkable rules.

  • Why aren’t there more women in multichannel retail?

    April 30, 2010

    High-profile female entrepreneurs have conquered ecommerce, so why aren’t there more in established retailers, asks Joanna Perry

  • Interchange fees: A done deal?

    28-Apr-2010

    The news that Visa Europe has offered to reduce interchange fees on debit cards has yet to convince the European Commission that it should end antitrust proceedings.

  • BT Retail Week Technology Awards shortlist revealed

    28-Apr-2010

    The 60-strong shortlist for this year’s BT Retail Week Technology Awards has been announced.

  • The green team

    April 23, 2010

    The UK’s biggest retailers are casting their nets ever wider when it comes to taking responsibility for sustainability initiatives. How exactly are they raising their green game

  • Out of sight, out of mind

    21-Apr-2010

    The website crash suffered by Net-a-Porter spin-off The Outnet last week shows that even internet-savvy businesses can get things very wrong.

  • What’s the benefit of retailers’ TV exposure?

    April 16, 2010

    Can participation in a TV show be beneficial to a retailer’s image or is it a gamble that can do long-term damage?

  • Top guns: Is there still room for the maverick retail chief executive?

    April 9, 2010

    Today’s retail chief executive is more likely to be a former management consultant than market trader. But is there room for big personalities on today’s retail scene, asks Joanna Perry

  • Digital Economy Bill: Time for change

    7-Apr-2010

    The debate in Parliament yesterday confirmed that the anti-piracy measures within the Digital Economy bill are certain to pass into law, and be retained regardless of which party takes power next month.

  • Retailers prepare to tap World Cup fever

    April 1, 2010

    Retailers were said to have coined in £1.25bn from the 2006 World Cup but will recession-hit shoppers have football fever this time?

  • Comet to provide free IT training to 50,000 OAPs

    29-Mar-2010

    Comet has committed to providing free IT training for 50,000 senior citizens as the first retailer to sign-up to work with the Race Online 2012 initiative led by Martha Lane Fox.

  • Lloydspharmacy: Just the medicine

    March 26, 2010

    Giving more responsibility to local managers is helping Lloydspharmacy as it focuses on delivering more healthcare services and helping develop its staff too

  • E-learning from the public sector

    24-Mar-2010

    Retailers can learn much from how the push to deliver far more public services online plays out.

  • Online retail demographics: the law of averages

    March 19, 2010

    The average age of internet buyers in Europe is 40. Does this mean multichannel has become truly mass market, and are there still distinctions in the way different groups shop? Joanna Perry investigates

  • Retail iPhone apps: Mobile commerce on the move?

    12-Mar-2010

    Can the upsurge in mobile phone apps from retailers turn the hype of mobile commerce into a reality, or are they just a passing fad?

  • Augmented Reality

    March 12, 2010

    Last week fashion group Benetton launched its global catalogue with ‘augmented reality’ technology to increase customer interaction. So what does that mean and who’s doing it?

  • Retailers must make their own luck in 2010

    March 12, 2010

    There won’t be a double-dip recession, Retail Week Conference delegates heard, but this year will be bumpy.

  • No red card for CNP fraud

    10-Mar-2010

    After years of rising card-not-present fraud, which retailers have had to shoulder, is technology finally winning the battle?

  • Poundland founder to launch mid-market variety chain

    March 5, 2010

    Dave Dodd unveils vision for 200-strong national chain Hub, with first stores to be open in three months

  • The ideal store

    March 5, 2010

    Which areas of in-store operations do retailers fall down on - and how can they improve them? Joanna Perry finds out

  • Cash flow: Balancing the books

    March 5, 2010

    Cash is king in these difficult times, so what are retailers doing to ensure they have the money to run their business day to day? Joanna Perry reports

  • RWC2010: Chris Dawson expects more retail failures in 12 to 14 months

    4-Mar-2010

    Colourful entrepreneur and owner of The Range, Chris Dawson, has predicted that he will be picking up stock from more failing retailers a year from now.

  • RWC2010: Emerging retailers can thrive if attuned to customer needs

    3-Mar-2010

    There is a place for emerging businesses, as long as they make sure they stay closely in tune with what customers want, three rising stars told the Retail Week Conference.

  • RWC2010: Charlie Mayfield warns against expecting quick recovery

    3-Mar-2010

    John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield opened the Retail Week conference this morning with a warning that retailers need to be careful of a false dawn in the economy.

  • Online home truths

    2-Mar-2010

    The impact that the growth of online sales will have on some retailers’ businesses is the elephant in the board room.

  • A customer-focused supply chain

    February 26, 2010

    The sentiments expressed by many during Retail Week’s Supply Chain Summit that took place earlier this month in London showed that there is more supply chain executives can do for retail businesses than simply cut costs.

  • Supply Chain Summit: The customer is king

    February 26, 2010

    The challenges facing supply chains continue, but at the Retail Week Supply Chain Summit retailers agreed the customer is becoming ever more important. Joanna Perry reports

  • Guerrilla marketing gets results for retailers

    February 26, 2010

    They may smack of gimmickry but guerrilla marketing techniques can have far-reaching results and could warrant a place in retailers’ communications campaigns.

  • Morrisons to wireless-enable manufacturing sites

    24-Feb-2010

    Morrisons is to spend £1.5 million introducing wireless networks and devices at five of its manufacturing plants.

  • Watch and learn

    24-Feb-2010

    Retailers are beginning to emulate the idea-incubating cultures that exist within the most successful technology companies, but there is still some way to go before they admit that failure is not always defeat.

  • Celebrity non-executives: What is the benefit of hiring a famous director?

    February 19, 2010

    A retail board may bask in the reflected glory of hiring a famous non-executive, but what are the real benefits and are they ever more than window dressing? Joanna Perry reports

  • Banks versus boffins

    17-Feb-2010

    The banks need to think carefully about how they deal with security flaws in Chip and PIN technology if they are to maintain the trust of merchants.

  • Business sales: retail makeover tactics

    February 12, 2010

    After a year when retailers often got the cold shoulder, both private equity and IPO activity in the sector is picking up. Joanna Perry examines the makeover tactics retailers use to encourage a sale

  • DSGi to improve IT helpdesk service quality

    5-Feb-2010

    DSGi expects to reduce the number of incidents its IT helpdesk deals with by between 10% and 15% this year.

  • In-store marketing: Get to the point

    February 5, 2010

    Retailers are increasingly in favour of decluttering stores, so what’s the future for in-store marketing?

  • Confusion on customer-centricity

    3-Feb-2010

    While there is a growing consensus that retailers need to be customer-centric, the debate still rages about what this actually means.

  • ICO: friend or foe to retailers?

    January 29, 2010

    The Information Commissioner’s Office is going to play an ever-increasing role in retailers’ lives.

  • ‘iPod’ the most searched-for brown goods brand term

    28-Jan-2010

    “Ipod” is the most searched-for brand term on the internet in the brown goods sector, generating 9% of all searches in a month.

  • Does every second really count?

    27-Jan-2010

    Shaving seconds off the time each customer spends at the tills is an obsession for some retailers. But why, when the plastic bag police ruin the efficiency savings retailers’ IT departments have worked so hard to achieve?

  • Barclaycard begins promotion for multi-retailer loyalty scheme

    26-Jan-2010

    Barclaycard has confirmed that it will launch its multi-retailer reward scheme in March.

  • Online delivery to move to three-tier model

    22-Jan-2010

    Retailers are moving to a “good, better and best” model for online delivery, according to a new report on the subject from Snow Valley.

  • Recovering US retailers’ plan of attack

    January 22, 2010

    The rules of retail in the US have changed, but the impact will be felt worldwide. Joanna Perry reports from New York

  • Mamas & Papas to unify brand messaging

    January 22, 2010

    Mamas & Papas is to implement a franchise collaboration platform to ensure its brand messaging is clear across its portfolio as it expands globally.

  • NRF: US retail IT leaders follow the consumer

    20-Jan-2010

    The technology show at NRF had all the normal high-tech gadgets, but US retail’s IT leaders are increasingly focused first and foremost on the customer, finds Joanna Perry

  • The new focus on multi-channel CRM

    20-Jan-2010

    The most recent poll of IT bosses from the world’s biggest retailers shows that IT departments aren’t just talking about their customers, they are preparing to invest in them too.

  • January Sales: Which retailers delivered the goods for bargain hunters?

    January 15, 2010

    The January Sales season started earlier than ever this year, but when consumers hit the shops which retailers were really delivering the goods?

  • NRF: New York welcomes back the big boys of retail IT

    13-Jan-2010

    The IT bosses of three of the fourbiggest retailers in the world have been spotted at the National Retail Federation conference and show in New York this week; and that says something about the role technology will play in the industry’s recovery from recession.

  • Tesco boss cites healthcare and climate change among drivers for growth

    13-Jan-2010

    Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy highlighted healthcare and climate change among six drivers retailers can use to grow coming out of the recession in a speech yesterday.

  • Profitability slips for top 250 global retailers

    11-Jan-2010

    The largest retailers in the world have managed to increase their sales through the recession, but profitability has suffered, research from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has revealed.

  • New Look to widen multichannel services with stores EPoS upgrade

    January 8, 2010

    New Look is to replace the EPoS software across its entire store estate this year to introduce multi­channel services.

  • Tesco 2.0: Good for international relations

    January 8, 2010

    For an international giant like Tesco the web is crucial for internal communication. Joanna Perry finds out how the grocer is making the most of it

  • The rules of social engagement

    6-Jan-2010

    If 2009 was the year that retailers jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, then what will 2010 bring in terms of social media?

  • Retail IT’s New Year spending spree?

    16-Dec-2009

    Retailers have been making do and mending when it comes to IT systems for the past couple of years. 2010 is likely to be the year when the necessary projects they have been putting off start to see some traction.

  • Laithwaites to open Vinopolis flagship

    December 11, 2009

    Wine merchant Laithwaites Wine wants to up its brand profile with the opening of a flagship London shop and the relaunch of its website next year.

  • Oasis tests appetite for SMS gift vouchers

    December 11, 2009

    Aurora-owned fashion retailer Oasis has launched an SMS gift voucher service to test customers’ appetites for mobile promotions with a view to rolling out the offer to Oasis’ sister fascias.

  • A hangover from Monday’s online retail madness

    9-Dec-2009

    This Monday was predicted to be the zenith of the Christmas trading peak online, but the take away from 2009 is that retailers must make their own luck online.

  • A systematic approach to supply chains

    December 4, 2009

    The majority of retailers have tried to improve their supply chain operations in the past year. Joanna Perry finds how IT has been assisting them.

  • Inside the box: Christmas adverts

    December 4, 2009

    A couple of retailers stand out for their originality in this year’s crop of festive ads, but too many of them lack impact, Saatchi & Saatchi’s Richard Huntington tells Joanna Perry.

  • Think mobile after cyber Monday

    2-Dec-2009

    This Christmas should prove the turning point for retailers accepting that they must have a mobile as well as web strategy to capture shoppers’ attention.

  • Life after Woolworths

    November 27, 2009

    The collapse of Woolworths left 27,000 people looking for work. Joanna Perry catches up with some of them and hears what they did next.

  • Don’t believe the hype

    November 27, 2009

    This must count as one of the toughest, but most interesting, years for security, loss prevention and profit protection teams.

  • Customers won’t put up with analysis paralysis

    25-Nov-2009

    Customer-centricity is the buzzword for retailers who like to think that they listen to their customers. But listening is no longer enough, super-fast analysis and response is also necessary for retailers to truly meet demand.

  • Torex to hand over hardware maintenance to partner

    23-Nov-2009

    Retail software supplier Torex is to transfer its hardware maintenance business to partner Phoenix IT Services from February next year.

  • Know your customer, control your business

    November 20, 2009

    In this supplement we hope to engage retailers with examples of how customer data, when collected and analysed in context, creates insight that can provide answers to the big questions in their businesses.

  • Dunnhumby: A lifetime of loyalty?

    November 20, 2009

    Loyalty scheme operator Dunnhumby continues to innovate to provide Tesco and suppliers with the customer insight they need to make business-critical decisions

  • Social media: Why M&S is listening to the word on the web

    November 20, 2009

    Marks & Spencer is starting to engage with its customers online, analysing their feedback to help make commercial decisions. Joanna Perry finds out what this insight is teaching it

  • Marketing: The perfect message mix

    November 20, 2009

    Marketers have always been the biggest users of customer data. But by analysing it to create deeper insight, retailers can make their marketing budgets stretch further. Joanna Perry investigates

  • From insight to action

    November 20, 2009

    Retail is a data-rich business, but in this market it is crucial information gets turned into insight that can be acted upon at the point where it will have the greatest impact, argues Joanna Perry

  • The lessons to be learnt from online

    November 20, 2009

    Properly used, customer data gleaned online can help not only web sales but the top line across all channels, says Joanna Perry

  • Customer-centricity across the enterprise

    November 20, 2009

    Retailers make grand statements about how customer-centric their businesses are, but where can customer intelligence make the difference to top and bottom lines, asks Joanna Perry

  • Social commerce in practice

    18-Nov-2009

    Retail Week yesterday hosted a webinar on social commerce that highlighted both how much retailers have to gain from engaging with their customers, but also the many questions they have concerning how they should go about it.

  • 99p Stores rolls out EPoS in two months

    18-Nov-2009

    99p Stores has rolled out an EPoS system to 116 stores in just two months.

  • Mydeco promotes virtual products through PlayStation gaming platform

    18-Nov-2009

    Homewares shopping aggregation site Mydeco has opened a virtual store in Sony’s social gaming platform PlayStation Home.

  • The future of value retailers

    November 13, 2009

    Retailers from Primark to Aldi to 99p Stores have benefited from the flight to value that the recession has created. But can they continue to capture shopper hearts and wallets once the economy begins to recover, asks Joanna Perry.

  • Lies, damned lies and shoplifting statistics

    11-Nov-2009

    Loss prevention and retail security staff do not despair – the figures all over the press yesterday about shoplifting being up by 20% are not quite as cut and dried as they seem.

  • Instore to unite shops with faster broadband link

    November 6, 2009

    Value retail group Instore is upgrading the broadband connections to its stores in a 12-month project following the renewal of a telecoms deal with Vodat International.

  • Mint Velvet to drive ‘destination appeal’ of online flagship store

    November 6, 2009

    New women’s fashion retailer Mint Velvet plans to expand the content on its website in the coming months in an attempt to make it a true “destination” for its customers.

  • Like-for-like differences linger on

    4-Nov-2009

    A feature on like-for-like sales that I wrote a few weeks ago caused more controversy than was intended; and one retailer has quickly responded by issuing multiple sales measures for comparative purposes.

  • JD Sports picks system to forecast store sales

    October 30, 2009

    JD Sports is to introduce technology to allow it to forecast store sales and make decisions about store investment opportunities.

  • Liverpool contactless payment push begins

    October 30, 2009

    Boots, Timpsons and Max Spielmann are all taking part in MasterCard’s initiative to drive adoption of its contactless payment technology in Liverpool.

  • Last night a kiosk changed my life

    28-Oct-2009

    Just a couple of years back most retailers had written off in-store kiosks. But I had a moment in an Argos store yesterday; and it has made me think again about whether consumer perceptions of the technology have changed.

  • GIVe adopts planning system for products

    October 23, 2009

    George Davies’ latest retail venture GIVe has introduced a planning and product development system from Decision Systems to support its operation and help the new chain optimise its merchandise mix.

  • Is multichannel worth the money?

    21-Oct-2009

    Investment in ecommerce and creating a multichannel customer experience is no longer optional according to the many retailers I’ve seen present at various ecommerce events in the past couple of weeks.

  • Like-for-like sales: time for a different measure?

    October 16, 2009

    Like-for-like sales figures are the measure the retail industry has traditionally judged itself on. But how relevant are they in the multichannel world and what can replace them?

  • George collaboration portal cuts overseas costs

    October 16, 2009

    George is using an online collaboration portal to deliver “George in a box” to Wal-mart’s businesses around the world.

  • Warehouse replenishment system to boost availability at Waitrose

    October 16, 2009

    Waitrose is to reduce warehouse inventory while improving availability in stores with the introduction of a warehouse replenishment system from Aldata.

  • Co-op overhauls IT in Somerfield integration

    October 9, 2009

    Co-operative Group is to spend £25m on a project to fully integrate the Somerfield business, including major IT system changes.

  • Family-run retailers

    October 9, 2009

    Some of the best performing retailers in this tough economic climate are family-run. Joanna Perry asks what gives their businesses the extra edge.

  • Retail IT Summit: Retail’s united front

    October 9, 2009

    Even in those businesses doing well, IT departments are being asked to do more with less. This year’s Retail IT Summit gave retailers the chance to get together and discuss how they are approaching what they euphemistically describe as a challenge. Joanna Perry reports.

  • Consumers go upwardly mobile

    7-Oct-2009

    Retailers who believe that m-commerce is a long way off should think again with the news that there will be two mobile phone subscriptions for every three people in the world by the end of this year.

  • Halfords mobilises SMS text-and-reserve service

    2-Oct-2009

    Halfords has launched a text-and-reserve service to add to its multichannel proposition.

  • Retail IT telling its war stories

    30-Sep-2009

    At the Retail IT Summit, there has been little talk about technology and much talk about business need, culture, processes and customer demands.

  • A matter of choice: is bigger product range good for shoppers?

    September 25, 2009

    Is bigger actually better when it comes to product range or does it just confuse shoppers? Joanna Perry explores whether retailers could benefit from editing their ranges for consumers

  • Phones 4U to replace legacy store systems

    September 25, 2009

    Phones 4U has embarked on a major store systems project that will see it replace virtually all its legacy store applications by the middle of 2010.

  • Second chance for internet sales with global ecommerce

    23-Sep-2009

    The disclosure of the vast sums of money being spent in virtual world Second Life proves the possibilities of the web as a global marketplace for retailers.

  • VAT’s life: retailers prepare for the rate change

    September 18, 2009

    There seems little hope that Alistair Darling will back down on his new year VAT rise. So what do retailers need to think about when preparing for the rate change, asks Joanna Perry

  • House of Fraser tests high-end security tags

    September 18, 2009

    House of Fraser is trialling additional anti-theft technology at three of its higher-risk stores in an attempt to combat shoplifting.

  • Mothercare buys remaining 50% of Gurgle.com

    September 18, 2009

    Last week Mothercare announced that it has bought the remaining 50% of social networking site Gurgle, just as HMV announced that it is closing its networking site GetCloser.

  • Retail demands more online rising stars

    16-Sep-2009

    At last week’s Retail Week Rising Stars Awards the number of glamorous, successful and technology-savvy ladies in the room showed just how well retail is adapting to ecommerce.

  • Tesco turns to Inovis for supplier support

    16-Sep-2009

    Tesco has appointed Inovis to help it get its thousands of grocery and non-food suppliers up to speed with the electronic trading system it wants them to use.

  • HMV takes a 50% stake in 7digital

    September 11, 2009

    HMV last week announced that it has taken a 50% stake in 7digital, thrusting the digital media company into the retail spotlight.

  • Pensions: Planning for retirement

    September 11, 2009

    Employer contributions to pensions are set to become mandatory in 2012. How does this affect retailers, asks Joanna Perry

  • The long and the short of IT strategy

    9-Sep-2009

    The mixture of strategy and tactics that the best retailers are employing to beat the recession is something that IT departments can learn from, and should champion through their businesses.

  • Asda collects store feedback from 250,000 customers

    7-Sep-2009

    More than 250,000 customers have provided Asda with feedback since it launched its tellASDA initiative at the beginning of the year.

  • Is tactical behaviour damaging retailers’ long-term strategy?

    September 4, 2009

    Tactical behaviour to shore up top lines has been a feature of the recession as retailers compete harder for customers, but is it damaging to your longer-term strategy, asks Joanna Perry

  • Kiddicare relaunches website to drive sales

    September 4, 2009

    Multichannel nursery retailer Kiddicare has this week relaunched its website, backed by sponsorship of three ITV series.

  • Phones 4U's Theubar.co.uk is a virtual customer panel

    September 4, 2009

    Phones 4U last week revealed the uBar, a virtual customer panel that will target its core 16- to 24-year-old market. Similar to the MindBubble and New Look online research communities, the idea is that the site will be used to ask questions of the customers that get involved, but also stimulate customers to ask questions of each other.

  • Debenhams cuts costs with IT helpdesk automation

    2-Sep-2009

    Debenhams has cut the costs of running its IT helpdesk by 25% with the deployment of a service management system that has allowed it to automate some processes.

  • Is self-serve a selfish strategy?

    2-Sep-2009

    The number of UK stores with self-checkouts is expected to double in the next three years. But will this service strategy benefit shoppers or is it all about the retailers’ bottom lines?

  • Mothercare picks planning system for international business

    2-Sep-2009

    Mothercare has selected a pre-season planning application from Torex to support its growing International division.

  • Christmas online: ’Tis the season to be jolly (and organised)

    August 28, 2009

    What do retailers need to think about to make sure that their online trading goes off without a hitch this Christmas, asks Joanna Perry

  • Boden.co.uk opts for catwalk videos

    August 28, 2009

    The latest fashion retailer to jump on the Asos bandwagon of catwalk videos is Boden, which has begun using them to accompany some of its womenswear and girlswear products.

  • Ryman builds on systems overhaul with web platform

    August 28, 2009

    Ryman will replace its web platform before the end of the year as part of a significant overhaul of its internet operation.

  • File sharers are consumers too

    26-Aug-2009

    Would cutting off the internet access of people who abuse copyright online really benefit legitimate entertainment retailers?

  • Communication before implementation

    19-Aug-2009

    One well-respected retailer has argued that complex systems are making life more difficult for his industry. But the problem that most businesses with underperforming systems actually face is the lack of communication between their operational and technical staff.

  • Retailers shaking up contact centres

    August 14, 2009

    Whether it’s headcount cuts, outsourcing or in-sourcing, retailers are shaking up their contact centres in line with the changing face of home shopping. Joanna Perry asks what the future holds

  • Pets at Home uses data mining to bolster loss prevention

    12-Aug-2009

    Pets at Home has embarked on the implementation of a data mining system to aid its loss prevention team.

  • How does Sainsburys.co.uk compare?

    August 7, 2009

    Last week Sainsbury’s launched its non-food offer online. But how does the site compare with those of rivals Tesco and Asda?

  • Online merchandising: A picture is worth 1,000 words

    August 7, 2009

    Flashy images, picture tools and product videos might look impressive, but do they hold any sway over customers? Joanna Perry finds out

  • The Entertainer ramps up digital marketing

    August 7, 2009

    Toy specialist The Entertainer is to extend its digital advertising efforts in anticipation of a bumper Christmas online.

  • Politicians fiddle as the internet burns cash

    5-Aug-2009

    The European Commission wants to ask the audience to help it formulate its strategy for building a digital economy that thrives.

  • PayPal suffers global shutdown

    4-Aug-2009

    PayPal’s online payment service was unavailable for over an hour from 6.30pm onwards UK time on Monday, according to reports.

  • Marks & Spencer extends use of smart customer service system

    31-Jul-2009

    Marks & Spencer is expanding its use of a customer and staff feedback system that it trialled last year.

  • Asda trials signage system from Amscreen

    29-Jul-2009

    Asda is trialling a digital signage system from Sir Alan Sugar’s Amscreen in its new Keighley store.

  • Nordstrom gets scientific with sizing distributions

    29-Jul-2009

    US department store retailer Nordstrom is to introduce an Oracle Retail application to improve the size distribution of clothing in its stores.

  • The next generation of e-tail

    July 17, 2009

    No retailer can afford to be without a website these days, but what are the must-haves and what are the costly fripperies that won’t improve your bottom line? Joanna Perry explains today’s essentials

  • Banks urged to do more to cut payment card charges

    July 17, 2009

    European Commission deputy director-general for competition Nadia Calvino said last week that Visa and MasterCard could do more to reduce the interchange fees that retailers pay on credit and debit card transactions.

  • Chimpogo.com combines social media and e-commerce

    July 17, 2009

    Showing perfectly how social media and e-commerce can be merged, Chimpogo allows visitors to its site to create a design or illustration for a t-shirt. Shoppers submit their design alongside some information on the story behind it, and other visitors to the site can then blog about it and rate the t-shirt design on a scale of one to five.

  • Need to know: RFID security

    July 17, 2009

    A research group has shown the additional security capabilities of RFID tags. Here we explain the potential benefits to retailers and consumers

  • Next refines online search to lift Sale site

    10-Jul-2009

    Next is working with its website search provider on the latest version of its Sale website, which will go live on July 18.

  • Loyal to the last: the right loyalty schemes can pay off

    July 10, 2009

    As cash-strapped shoppers chase the best deals and lowest prices some say loyalty has gone out the window. Yet, as Joanna Perry finds, the right loyalty schemes can still be useful to retailers

  • Mysears.com: Sears adopts OpenID platform

    July 10, 2009

    US retail giant Sears has adopted the OpenID platform to more closely connect the social networking sites it runs for its Sears and Kmart chains with sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

  • Has the retail information age arrived?

    8-Jul-2009

    One of the main conclusions of Retail Week’s webinar on information management recorded last week was that all the data retailers need to maximise their businesses is already there – what’s needed now is staff and systems who can make use of it.

  • Peacocks extends store IT support relationship with Vista

    8-Jul-2009

    Peacocks wants to expand on the communications system it uses to interact with stores, after extending its store systems support contract with Vista Retail Support.

  • Researchers say RFID tags can be secure and address consumer privacy concerns

    8-Jul-2009

    The EU-funded RFID research project BRIDGE has concluded that security measures can be added to standard RFID tags to disable them at the point of sale.

  • IBM to run Carrefour's IT systems in France

    7-Jul-2009

    International retail giant Carrefour has signed a €180m (£155m) agreement with IBM, that will see the technology services provider take over the transformation, management and maintenance of Carrefour’s IT infrastructure and applications in France.

  • PCIDSS compliance remains difficult for retailers

    July 3, 2009

    Critics argue that the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is impossible for some retailers to comply with and doesn’t guarantee against data loss. Joanna Perry finds out why compliance remains such a contentious issue

  • Ted Baker considers retail system upgrade

    July 3, 2009

    Ted Baker is considering upgrading to the latest version of Prologic’s CIMS retail system following the successful introduction of an earlier version of the system.

  • Website optimisation firms get the Google seal of approval

    1-Jul-2009

    Google’s backing for consulting firms that offer sensible advice on how retailers can improve web sales has got to be a move in the right direction for an industry that has been plagued by misinformation.

  • Retailers work with Google to optimise their sites

    1-Jul-2009

    Retailers including Next, Debenhams and Schuh have completed a research project with Google to investigate how their sites could be improved.

  • A culture club to curb theft

    June 26, 2009

    No retailer can afford rising shrinkage at the moment, but tackling theft isn’t just a job for specialists – everyone from store staff to the chief executive can help. Joanna Perry explains how

  • Asda drives non-food shopper ratings online

    26-Jun-2009

    Asda intends to ramp up its use of customer ratings and reviews for its non-food ranges sold online.

  • Beaverbrooks poised for trial of in-house EPoS

    June 26, 2009

    Jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks is to pilot the EPoS system it has developed in-house before the end of this month.

  • Habitat and the Twitter backlash

    23-Jun-2009

    Habitat has provided a perfect case study in how not to use social media with its clumsy attempts to insert popular internet keywords into its promotional Twitter posts.

  • Habitat says misuse of Twitter keywords was a mistake

    23-Jun-2009

    Habitat has been accused of trying to hijack interest in the Iranian election to drive users of the blogging site Twitter to posts about its special offer and Sale.

  • Harvey Nichols to bolster stores appeal by adding fashion online

    19-Jun-2009

    Luxury department store retailer Harvey Nichols is to sell a selection of its fashion offer online for winter.

  • JD Sports to bring forecasting system to fashion arm

    June 19, 2009

    JD Sports Fashion is to extend its use of the Oracle planning and forecasting system from its main sports business to its two fashion chains Scotts and Bank.

  • Digital Britain: Government report trails e-commerce

    17-Jun-2009

    The Digital Britain white paper published yesterday didn’t come up with much new, but it did highlight how far behind the e-commerce industry the Government is in its thinking.

  • Retail Week Technology Awards 2009 winners announced

    17-Jun-2009

    The winners of Retail Week’s Technology Awards for 2009 were announced last night at the ceremony in London.

  • COO parachuted in to steady struggling Threshers owner

    12-Jun-2009

    A new chief operating officer has been parachuted in to troubled Threshers owner First Quench Retailing, replacing its IT and central operations directors, who have both left the business.

  • Carphone Warehouse gets serious about customer service

    June 12, 2009

    Behind every great store is great customer service. And, echoing US partner Best Buy, Carphone Warehouse is on a mission to become best at it by making life easier for store staff. Joanna Perry finds out how

  • Carphone Warehouse to roll out standard operating procedures

    June 12, 2009

    Carphone Warehouse is to issue standard operating procedures to all stores at the end of June as part of an efficiency drive using best practices learned from Best Buy.

  • House of Fraser reintroduces IT director to aid service

    June 12, 2009

    House of Fraser has reintroduced the role of IT director as part of a drive to improve customer service.

  • House of Fraser to trial product videos

    June 12, 2009

    House of Fraser intends to begin trialling product videos on its website in the Autumn to measure the impact on sales.

  • Startriteshoes.com boosts sales and benefits retail partners

    June 12, 2009

    Classic brand Start-rite Shoes has built incremental sales with a transactional website that also gives its retail partners access to multichannel services.

  • NRF lobbying on PCIDSS could be bad news for UK retailers

    10-Jun-2009

    The US retail trade body the National Retail Federation has added its voice to the growing chorus of calls for the way the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard operates to be reassessed. But its recommendations may not be as helpful for retail in the UK as they first seem.

  • Inditex uses web platform for improved shipping visibility

    9-Jun-2009

    Inditex has centralised its shipping logistics information and control onto a single web platform.

  • Online jeweller Astley Clarke plans relaunch

    June 5, 2009

    Luxury online jeweller Astley Clarke is to relaunch its website this autumn as part of its plan to become the world’s leading online jewellery boutique.

  • Peter Swann talks maximum IT efficiency at WHSmith

    June 5, 2009

    WHSmith’s other Swann – IT director Peter Swann – talks to Joanna Perry about how the retailer’s efficiency drive has left it well placed to get value for money in the downturn

  • Shoeboxx.co.uk creates a digital repository for receipts

    June 5, 2009

    Shoeboxx wants to get retailers and consumers onboard with its idea of creating a digital repository for receipts. The idea is that a customer carries a Shoeboxx card, which a retailer can swipe at its tills. The receipt is then sent electronically to the customer’s account online where they can store and view all their receipts in one place.

  • IT needs a direct line to the boss

    3-Jun-2009

    There is a link between how successful retailers are and who their IT chiefs report to, according to research published by Retail Systems Research.

  • Lidl invests in document management system

    3-Jun-2009

    Lidl UK is to introduce a document management system within its property division that will digitise more than 200,000 documents.

  • Jacobs to replace software platform across all channels

    3-Jun-2009

    Photography retailer Jacobs is to implement a Microsoft-based multichannel platform from Maginus across its business.

  • Vision Express refines targeted marketing with SPSS analytics tool

    29-May-2009

    Vision Express is set to improve the effectiveness of its marketing communications with the introduction of a marketing analytics tool from SPSS.

  • Google Product Search will allow price checking using mobile phones

    May 29, 2009

    A future where customers browse for products in stores while at the same time browsing the internet on their mobile phones looking for better deals just got a little bit closer to reality.

  • The foreign office: why retailers should support staff working abroad

    May 29, 2009

    Business trips abroad, often to emerging markets, can be daunting and stressful for staff who do not have the right support. Joanna Perry explains why retailers must consider their duty of care

  • Nike Town made me run a mile

    27-May-2009

    It’s a store designer’s dream, but despite some customer gadgets, Nike Town London is style over substance.

  • Customer ratings to be pooled across appliance retailers’ sites

    27-May-2009

    Appliance e-tailer DRL plans to pool customer ratings and reviews from its own websites and white-label sites it runs for other retailers including Boots.

  • HMV introduces system to tackle staff shrinkage

    27-May-2009

    HMV is cracking down on staff fraud and procedural failures after introducing a loss prevention system to analyse its transaction data.

  • Colouredrocks.com clocks up 132,000 plays of viral game to promote site

    May 22, 2009

    Online jeweller Colouredrocks.com has reported 132,000 plays of a viral game it launched to promote its site earlier this month. The game, created by digital marketing agency TAMBA, is the second viral game the retailer has launched to help it achieve its plan for sales of £6m this year.

  • Tesco in Ireland: its toughest market

    May 22, 2009

    Faced with a tough economy, strong rivals and sales leaking north of the border, Tesco Ireland has struggled to assert its value stance. So will its counterattack work? Joanna Perry investigates

  • Waterstone’s plans to relaunch website

    May 22, 2009

    Bookseller Waterstone’s is to relaunch its website in an attempt to provide improved functionality for a better shopper experience.

  • IT must help to slash stock levels

    20-May-2009

    The cost of holding stock is under the spotlight as retailers look to free up cash, and IT departments should make sure that they are involved.

  • Retailers cut back on IT in face of recession

    20-May-2009

    Retailers’ IT budgets have fallen on average by about 20 per cent in the past year, as the recession has forced retailers to do more with less.

  • Argos signs deal for payroll platform service

    20-May-2009

    Argos has signed an eight-year deal with NorthgateArinso to process payroll for the retailer’s 30,000 employees.

  • HMV working with Clarity Commerce for real-time loyalty system

    20-May-2009

    HMV plans to extend its purehmv loyalty card to its live venues and cinemas once it is satisfied with its membership base.

  • Tesco re-elected to PCI Security Standards Council advisory board

    20-May-2009

    Tesco has been re-elected to the PCI Security Standards Council’s Board of Advisors, after already having served a two year term.

  • Learning from the best outside retail: McDonald’s, Unilever, Barclays and BT fight the recession

    May 15, 2009

    Retailers aren’t the only customer-facing businesses that are fighting the recession head-on. Joanna Perry learns how four leading companies from outside retail are tackling the downturn

  • Mindbubble.co.uk maximises social media potential

    May 15, 2009

    Mindbubble.co.uk has been created to get women aged between 25 and 50 years old to participate in brand and product research, providing a textbook example of a way that social media techniques can be used by big business.

  • Payment card security standard

    May 15, 2009

    PCIDSS is the set of 12 rules designed to keep consumers’ payment card data secure from hackers. Who decides the rules and who has to comply?

  • LK Bennett to personalise marketing messages

    13-May-2009

    LK Bennett is to personalise the content of marketing emails to its international customer base using a system from smartFOCUS Digital.

  • Wilkinson cuts sourcing costs with new system

    13-May-2009

    Wilkinson has reduced the costs of developing and sourcing products after going live with a supplier management system.

  • IT: winning the right retail battles

    13-May-2009

    While small IT outages may look bad to customers when they are left queuing at stores, it is the IT problems that go unnoticed — such as data leakages — that actually create the biggest risks.

  • DSGi improves efficiency with SAP Finance software

    13-May-2009

    DSGi has revealed that it is seeing benefits from introducing standardised finance processes since going live with the SAP Finance system late last year.

  • HMV rolls out system to track supplier deals

    13-May-2009

    HMV is to bring in a deal-terms management system to help buyers track negotiations with music, DVD and games suppliers.

  • Tesco stores hit by till computer glitch

    11-May-2009

    Tesco is reported to have been hit by till problems at 67 stores following a glitch caused by its overnight price changes process.

  • Michael Murphy becomes Quidco executive chairman

    May 8, 2009

    This cashback co-operative hit the headlines last week after Michael Murphy, who shared a £175m earn-out from the sale of Friends Reunited, completed a management buy-in and became Quidco’s executive chairman.

  • Price optimisation helps retailers increase gross margins

    May 8, 2009

    Proponents of optimisation systems say that introducing them to merchandising departments can increase gross margins by several percentage points. Joanna Perry looks behind the science

  • Retailers lash out over fines for non-compliance with PCIDSS

    May 8, 2009

    Retailers are lobbying the payment industry in a bid to scrap the fines they are being forced to pay for not yet being compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS).

  • Retail IT: international ideas

    6-May-2009

    UK retailers must not get complacent despite holding their own in the nominations for the awards to be held at this year’s World Retail Congress.

  • Crombie introduces security tagging

    6-May-2009

    Luxury clothing brand Crombie has slashed store theft after introducing security tagging for the first time.

  • Wilkinson adopts space planning system

    6-May-2009

    General merchandise retailer Wilkinson is to introduce a space planning system to improve availability and reduce excess inventory.

  • BrightHouse: Getting the House in order

    May 1, 2009

    Simon Mouncer’s job at BrightHouse is to help ease the retailer’s growing pains as it continues with its ambitious expansion plans. He talksto Joanna Perry about what this involves

  • Customers a source of innovation for Asos

    29-Apr-2009

    Asos has once again posted fantastic results, and if its community team has anything to do with it, the online fashion retailer is going to keep this growth up.

  • DSGi signs network deal to cut store costs

    29-Apr-2009

    DSGi has changed network supplier and signed a three-year deal with Azzurri Communications as part of a wider cost-cutting drive focused on stores.

  • Office drives online conversions

    29-Apr-2009

    Office expects 10 per cent of its revenue to be generated online by the end of the year after introducing technology to up its online conversion rates.

  • Nisa Local retailer moves back office processes to EPoS for productivity gains

    24-Apr-2009

    One Nisa Local retailer has helped a software house develop new functionality for its EPoS system, and says he is saving several man hours of labour in each of his stores every day as a result.

  • Global online retail: The world at your fingertips

    April 24, 2009

    The online route is allowing many retailers to trade in foreign countries without incurring the expense of a physical launch. Joanna Perry assesses e-commerce prospects across the globe

  • New Look to redevelop website to include multichannel services

    April 24, 2009

    New Look plans to launch multichannel services such as click and collect as it aims to increase online sales to 10 per cent of its total revenue in the next three to four years.  

  • Kiddicare adds cash payment to site

    23-Apr-2009

    Kiddicare has added a cash payment option to its website to help drive sales among customers who won’t, or can’t, pay for goods online with credit or debit cards.

  • Inditex brings in system for speedier store design

    22-Apr-2009

    Spanish fashion giant Inditex has introduced a system to its store design department to speed up the design process for shops worldwide.

  • Tates to introduce store management system

    22-Apr-2009

    Spar wholesaler Tates is to introduce a store management system from Torex across all of its 210 convenience stores.

  • Henderson Group to improve store replenishment

    22-Apr-2009

    Henderson Group, the owner of symbol group Spar in Northern Ireland, is to automate store replenishment in an attempt to improve product availability and cash flow.

  • IT spending for success

    22-Apr-2009

    Despite the recession and general budget belt-tightening, the results announcements from several retailers this week show just how busy IT departments are being kept.

  • New Look to launch second generation e-commerce site

    21-Apr-2009

    New Look is to replace its website platform with a system from ATG.

  • Amazon opts out of Phorm advertising system

    16-Apr-2009

    Amazon has requested to opt out of the Webwise behavioural targeting advertising system that has been created by Phorm.

  • EU investigates tracking of UK internet users

    15-Apr-2009

    The EU has begun legal proceedings against the British Government, arguing that it has failed to properly implement European laws designed to protect internet users. What does this mean for e-commerce and online marketing?

  • Sainsbury's to lift PoS signage with new system

    15-Apr-2009

    Sainsbury’s is to improve promotional signage and labelling in its stores with the consolidation of the systems it uses to produce point-of-sale material.

  • Internaçionale in £1.3m EPoS upgrade

    15-Apr-2009

    Value fashion retailer Internaçionale is to replace its EPoS system as it begins converting the 85 MK One shops it bought out of administration last year.

  • Co-op server estate virtualisation almost complete

    15-Apr-2009

    Co-operative Group is about three quarters of the way through a project to virtualise its server estate and improve the levels of service the IT function provides to the rest of the business. The project kicked off early last year.

  • Sainsbury’s to improve product availability with new supply chain systems

    9-Apr-2009

    Sainsbury’s is to transform the management of its supply chain to improve stock availability through a five-year deal with IBM.

  • DIY chains prepare Easter ad campaigns

    April 9, 2009

    DIY retailers are gearing up for the crucial Easter trading period with a series of high-profile marketing campaigns, but trade could be hit by changeable weather.

  • Tesco ramps up technical support with pre-sales advice operation

    April 9, 2009

    Tesco-owned technical support firm Tesco Tech Support is to provide shoppers with pre-sales advice on its home technology range.

  • What are you doing on Twitter?

    April 9, 2009

    The micro-blogging website is this year’s internet phenomenon, so can Twitter form part of a serious marketing and customer insight strategy for retailers? Joanna Perry investigates

  • Twittering on about retail

    8-Apr-2009

    Twitter has once again hit the headlines this week with the news that even the Government is getting in on the act of updating internet audiences with messages of 140 characters or less.

  • Osprey London invests in systems for store growth

    7-Apr-2009

    Luxury leather goods brand Osprey London has invested in retail systems from Cegid/VCSTimeless to support its store and outlet opening programme that is planned for the next five years.

  • British Heart Foundation turns to broadband to link up tills

    7-Apr-2009

    The British Heart Foundation has linked up its 600 stores with a broadband network from Vodat International.

  • B&Q to personalise marketing

    7-Apr-2009

    B&Q is to introduce more personalised marketing to customers in the second half of this year to better target specific segments such as older shoppers and trade customers.The DIY retailer has been analysing customer data using things like its Trade Discount Card, to work out how different customer segments behave, and to identify the type of DIY projects they are likely to embark on.

  • MasterCard backs down over bank membership fees

    7-Apr-2009

    The British Retail Consortium has claimed a victory in its battle against MasterCard over the membership fee banks must pay to the card scheme.

  • Carphone Warehouse cuts costs with IBM IT services deal

    7-Apr-2009

    Carphone Warehouse has signed up IBM in a multi-year IT infrastructure services agreement.

  • T-Mobile trials Bluetooth marketing to improve footfall

    7-Apr-2009

    T-Mobile is halfway through a month-long trial of a Bluetooth marketing system at six of its stores.

  • Stock improvements for Long Tall Sally with head office system

    7-Apr-2009

    Long Tall Sally has introduced a retail system from Eurostop to better manage the stock across its different channels.

  • Boots to offer health tips with online portal

    7-Apr-2009

    Boots is to launch a health and wellness portal online in the second half of this year in partnership with US health services provider WebMD.

  • Lloydspharmacy to save on outsourced IT

    April 3, 2009

    Lloydspharmacy parent Celesio is to save up to €200m (£186.2m) by outsourcing the group’s IT infrastructure.

  • NRF accuses card companies over PCIDSS

    1-Apr-2009

    While President Obama is in London for the G20 summit today, retailers’ eyes should also be on a little-publicised congressional panel back in the US that could impact the way credit card data is used in the future.

  • Asos gears up for launch of community site

    1-Apr-2009

    Fashion e-tailer Asos is to invite a selection of customers to test its online community site Asos Life in the next two weeks as it gears up for the full launch later this month.

  • Thorntons switches EPoS to cut queues

    25-Mar-2009

    Confectioner Thorntons has improved customer service with a new EPoS system installed in its 380 stores before Christmas.

  • Asos creates browser tool to track products

    25-Mar-2009

    Asos has developed an application to allow customers to track particular products on its site through their web browser, whatever website they are looking at.

  • Clinton Cards cuts store printing costs

    25-Mar-2009

    Clinton Cards has slashed printing costs across its stores by 35 per cent.

  • Internet Explorer adds retail-friendly features

    25-Mar-2009

    In the past few years, web technology developments have occurred that meant consumers no longer needed a web browser – such as the ubiquitous Internet Explorer – in order to access content from the internet.

  • Adrian Thompson: At the heart of change at New Look

    20-Mar-2009

    As New Look plans its HQ move, a cultural shift is already afoot. Group business change director Adrian Thompson tells Joanna Perry why IT underpins this and of the changes involved.

  • Tesco finds small consumer changes adding up

    18-Mar-2009

    Customers are becoming much more disciplined in the way they shop, and it’s a trend that’s here to stay, Tesco UK marketing director Carolyn Bradley asserted today at the Retail Week Conference.

  • Value retailers confident despite mid-market discounting

    18-Mar-2009

    Value retailers believe that they are still able to differentiate themselves from mid-market retailers who are discounting heavily and increasing their promotional activity.

  • Justin King: Sainsbury's keen to debunk recession 'myths'

    18-Mar-2009

    Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King has opened the Retail Week Conference by debunking what he says are three of the biggest myths of the current recession.

  • Dobbies to relaunch website for online sales push

    18-Mar-2009

    Garden centre chain Dobbies will relaunch its website this summer in a major push to increase online sales and drive shoppers to its stores.

  • Boden invests in warehouse system to support growth

    18-Mar-2009

    Boden is planning to replace the warehouse management system within its UK warehouse, following the successful adoption of technology used in its US operation.

  • Carphone Warehouse to roll out system for loss prevention

    18-Mar-2009

    Carphone Warehouse is poised to introduce a system to minimise shrinkage and business risk in the UK following its adoption in the eight other European countries it operates in.

  • RFID in UK retail: still no answers

    18-Mar-2009

    UK retailers have been much slower than their counterparts in other countries to adopt RFID. Retail Week attended a roundtable hosted by RFID solutions provider PeopleVox on Tuesday to hear both retailers and technology suppliers’ views on why the adoption curve appears to have flatlined.

  • Boden invests in systems to support growth

    18-Mar-2009

    Boden is planning to replace the systems within its UK warehouse, following the successful adoption of the technology in its US operation.

  • Tesco makes progress with server virtualisation

    18-Mar-2009

    Tesco is making progress with its plans to virtualise its entire server estate.

  • Republic relaunches website

    18-Mar-2009

    Young fashion chain Republic has relaunched its website with a stronger editorial feel, a cleaner design and a simpler check out process.

  • Hendersons halves supply chain shrinkage with ePOD

    18-Mar-2009

    The wholesale division of northern Irish Spar franchisee Hendersons Group has implemented an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) system to complement its voice picking deployment.

  • Multiple choice: Multichannel retail growing in importance

    13-Mar-2009

    Multichannel is still growing in importance but the priorities are changing, a Retail Week survey has found. Joanna Perry joins a group of retail directors to find out how their focus is evolving

  • IT uncovers a promotions gap

    11-Mar-2009

    The results of a major survey of retail IT directors from around the world shows that many companies have been caught short when it comes to being able to maximise the benefit they get from running promotions.

  • Barclaycard plans to launch loyalty scheme

    11-Mar-2009

    Barclaycard wants to launch a loyalty scheme in the next 12 months, which could attract the 90,000 retailers that use the company for card payment acceptance.

  • B&Q poised to reveal revamped website this month

    11-Mar-2009

    B&Q is preparing to relaunch its website with a major redesign this month.

  • Tesco adopts packaged software for web push

    11-Mar-2009

    Tesco is to introduce packaged software from ATG to support its e-commerce business.

  • Retailers avoid cutting IT budgets for 2009

    11-Mar-2009

    Retailers are not slashing IT budgets, according to research from Aldata Solution and IBM.

  • Armani Exchange invests in assortment optimisation

    10-Mar-2009

    Diffusion fashion brand Armani Exchange, which has 162 stores worldwide, is to deploy assortment planning and business intelligence tools from IT Resources.

  • Iceland signs £11.5m IT outsourcing deal

    10-Mar-2009

    Iceland has signed a seven-year IT services deal with Getronics costing more than £11.5m.

  • Customer feedback: Listen and learn

    6-Mar-2009

    The voice of the customer is one that retailers are increasingly willing to listen to as service and satisfaction become essential. Joanna Perry finds out how shoppers are being surveyed

  • IT security suffers in downturn

    4-Mar-2009

    Retailers are getting better at vetting the companies they work with when it comes to protecting their data. While this is important they must remember not to take their eye off the ball close to home.

  • Consumer choice is changing multichannel retail

    27-Feb-2009

    In just a few years consumer power has encouraged retailers to set up multiple selling platforms and offer cross-channel services. Joanna Perry examines how far multichannel has come

  • Task management: Taken to task

    27-Feb-2009

    Systems that help retailers to plan and track how tasks are carried out in stores are gaining popularity. But while they have many benefits, they are unlikely to make the role of store manager obsolete, writes Joanna Perry

  • Retailers get channel hopping

    27-Feb-2009

    More than a decade on from when the internet first began to have an impact on retailers’ businesses, the majority of the UK’s biggest and best retailers now have a multichannel presence.

  • Monsoon Accessorize to tackle shrinkage

    25-Feb-2009

    Monsoon Accessorize is in the early stages of a project to implement a data mining system to protect its margins.

  • White Stuff brings reporting to stores

    25-Feb-2009

    Lifestyle retailer White Stuff is building a data warehouse to improve its reporting capabilities at head office level and provide reports to its stores.

  • EDS snaps up Woolworths IT staff

    25-Feb-2009

    Outsourcer EDS has taken on the entire team of SAP specialists who previously worked for Woolworths.

  • Data doesn't compute say supply chain experts

    25-Feb-2009

    After surveying nearly 400 supply chain executives in 25 countries, IT giant IBM has come to the conclusion that the main problem they face is that they can’t make sense of all the data they have.

  • Asos unveils redesigned site

    20-Feb-2009

    Asos has relaunched its fashion website with two brand new departments, Kids and Designer, in line with its strategy to become an online department store.

  • Customer Service: Attention to e-tail

    20-Feb-2009

    Retailers’ websites are increasingly offering consumers advice before they buy. But how good are retailers at replicating in-store product advice online? Joanna Perry finds out

  • Video and mobile will be must-haves for online retail

    18-Feb-2009

    At yesterday’s Retail Week E-commerce Summit, Martha Lane Fox spoke enthusiastically about the role technology can play in a retail business.

  • The Hut sticks with bespoke software in expansion drive

    18-Feb-2009

    Entertainment e-tailer and white label e-commerce provider The Hut Group will stick with its strategy of developing bespoke software as it continues to increase the list of retailers it works with.

  • Lidl set to replace store systems worldwide

    18-Feb-2009

    Lidl is to replace its point of sale software and other store systems across its stores in 20 countries with a system from German software provider GK Software.

  • Past Times completes EPoS refresh

    18-Feb-2009

    Past Times has completed the roll-out of an EPoS application from Cegid/VCSTimeless and has enlisted the help of Vista Retail Support to maintain its EpoS estate.

  • Co-op to deploy workforce management system to 2,200 stores

    17-Feb-2009

    The Co-operative Group is to introduce a workforce management system to its 55,000 employees across 2,200 stores within the next two years.

  • Online fraud: Enemies at the gates

    13-Feb-2009

    Online fraud is still on the rise and the increasing complexity of multichannel businesses is only making it more difficult to identify and crack down on. Joanna Perry investigates

  • Staff still crucial in card crime crackdown

    11-Feb-2009

    Another retailer faces an investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office following a data breach.

  • Debenhams tightens control of IT projects

    11-Feb-2009

    Debenhams is close to running all of its major information systems projects using a management system from software supplier CA.

  • Monsoon looks overseas as UK market weakens

    6-Feb-2009

    Monsoon founder Peter Simon said that the fashion retailer's first set of results since he took it private last year were encouraging given the tough trading conditions.

  • Multichannel debate: On the pulse

    6-Feb-2009

    Retailers’ multichannel strategies may have come a long way but there are still plenty of challenges. Joanna Perry joins some of the UK’s top e-tail directors to find out what their new priorities are

  • Argos email campaign lifts customer review response

    4-Feb-2009

    Argos has generated a massive volume of customer reviews after running an email campaign in January to encourage customers to provide feedback on the products they had recently purchased.

  • Snow shows the web is a lifeline for consumers

    4-Feb-2009

    The snow of early this week highlighted just how important the internet has become to society. Retailers should take every opportunity they get to benefit from this.

  • Google glitch temporarily halts access to all e-commerce sites

    2-Feb-2009

    Many internet surfers could have been forgiven for thinking the whole internet was broken on Saturday, after a problem with Google left users unable to access any internet sites.

  • Carpetright's Ian Woosey: Invest to impress

    30-Jan-2009

    Carpetright poured money into its IT when times were good. Now the economy has turned, IT chief Ian Woosey plans to use the investment to maximum effect.

  • Plenty to do in retail IT

    28-Jan-2009

    Retail IT departments can pay for themselves many times over, so a recession is the worst time to try and save money by making IT staff cuts.

  • Tie Rack takes its stocktaking system mobile

    28-Jan-2009

    Tie Rack has introduced mobile computers to its stores to assist with stocktaking.

  • T-Mobile gathers customer feedback by text message

    28-Jan-2009

    T-Mobile is polling hundreds of thousands of its customers each week using SMS after introducing a system from Fizzback.

  • Figleaves rethinks website infrastructure for relaunch

    28-Jan-2009

    Figleaves has set up a second data centre and created a virtualised server and storage infrastructure to support the launch of its new web platform.

  • John Lewis beta tests Cisco green networking system

    28-Jan-2009

    John Lewis has participated in a beta testing phase for Cisco networking technology that can help cut power consumption of IT.

  • Marks & Spencer to roll out SAP Retail with help from IBM

    28-Jan-2009

    Marks & Spencer is to introduce a set of applications from SAP Retail to its business to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies.

  • NRF: Brave New World

    22-Jan-2009

    After a year of financial turmoil a more humble and socially aware retail industry was on show at this year’s National Retail Federation convention last week. Joanna Perry reports from New York

  • Retail event cancellation a blow for IT

    21-Jan-2009

    In some bad news for the retail technology industry, it has been announced that next week’s Retail Business Show exhibition will not be taking place.

  • New Look refines IT to back growth plan

    21-Jan-2009

    New Look is poised to go live with the final stages of a project to improve the business processes within its buying and merchandising department.

  • Marks & Spencer extends services tie-up for EPoS roll-out

    21-Jan-2009

    Marks & Spencer is working with Computacenter to improve the time it takes to get new IT systems up and running.

  • System change takes shape at Harvey Nichols

    14-Jan-2009

    Harvey Nichols expects to finish a business intelligence consolidation project it has been working on throughout 2008 by the end of the present financial year.

  • NRF: Wal-Mart's Lee Scott says retailers must work to improve society

    12-Jan-2009

    Wal-Mart's president and chief executive Lee Scott has used his last public speech in his current role to appeal to retailers to help play a part in solving current economic and social ills.

  • NRF: Recession creates new rules of retailing

    12-Jan-2009

    National Retail Federation president and chief executive Tracy Mullin opened the organisation's 98th convention in New York on Sunday with a blunt message to businesses trying to ride out the recession: they need to get real to the new rules of retailing.

  • Digital strategy: Online advantage

    9-Jan-2009

    Web discounts have grabbed customer attention over Christmas but exploiting the online world to its fullest could prove make or break in this tough economic climate. Joanna Perry reports

  • Carphone Warehouse staff support tool given the thumbs-up

    9-Jan-2009

    Carphone Warehouse has declared the roll-out of an application to support its branch managers a success.

  • Theory introduces store sales data dashboard

    8-Jan-2009

    International fashion brand Theory is using a sales dashboard called SkyPAD to view product sales performance across its international chain at store level.

  • Barclays to issue contactless debit cards

    7-Jan-2009

    Barclays will begin issuing debit cards with contactless payment technology, and predicts that more than 3 million consumers will be using them by the end of the year.

  • Caution urged on contactless payment adoption

    7-Jan-2009

    Barclays will soon begin issuing debit cards with contactless payment technology, a move that goes some way towards breaking the chicken-and-egg deadlock of contactless payment adoption.

  • Apple ups music download stakes with the removal of DRM

    7-Jan-2009

    Apple has brokered a deal with the major record labels to offer their music without digital rights management protection on a new version of iTunes called iTunes Plus.

  • BrightHouse makes appointment to drive business change

    18-Dec-2008

    BrightHouse has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Simon Mouncer as head of business change and IT.

  • Carphone Warehouse gathers data on customer experience

    18-Dec-2008

    Carphone Warehouse is the latest retailer to work with Fizzback to assess the experience it provides to customers.

  • 2009 retail technology predictions

    17-Dec-2008

    There are some predictions for next year about technology in retail that are very easy to make. But IT analyst Gartner has been bold with its opinions on how much could change in 2009.

  • Tesco creates tool to gauge the greenness of its stores

    17-Dec-2008

    Tesco has developed a piece of software to evaluate how environmentally friendly the equipment it uses in stores is.

  • Customer data: Track and treat

    11-Dec-2008

    Slipping sales and quickly changing shopper behaviour has made consumer information priceless. Joanna Perry finds out how retailers can gather this data and use it to improve trade.

  • Morrisons replaces wide area network

    10-Dec-2008

    Morrisons is to quadruple its wide area network capacity after signing a three-year multimillion deal with Cable & Wireless.

  • Improved efficiency must sometimes lead to job losses

    9-Dec-2008

    The Prime Minister thinks that further investment in technology will produce economic benefit, but will he stand up for retailers if advancement means that they need less staff?

  • Morrisons to automate space planning with Galleria system

    9-Dec-2008

    Morrisons will begin using a merchandising system from Galleria next year to automate the creation of merchandising plans. Currently the supermarket chain creates these plans manually.

  • Morrisons replaces wide area network

    9-Dec-2008

    Morrisons is to quadruple its wide area network capacity after signing a three-year deal with Cable & Wireless.

  • Borders: All systems gone

    4-Dec-2008

    When Borders split from its US parent, IT boss Simon Thomas was charged with replacing every system the company had in just a year. He tells Joanna Perry how he managed it.

  • Whittard relaunches site as it pursues online sales

    3-Dec-2008

    Whittard of Chelsea has gone live with a replacement transactional web site following a soft launch in October.

  • Cyber Monday: UK retailers teach US peers a lesson in e-commerce

    3-Dec-2008

    Monday was a big day for online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic – and while sales in the UK may not have been as high as hoped, its web sites were at least up to the challenge of record volumes.

  • Tesco to adopt hosted recruitment system

    2-Dec-2008

    Tesco has signed up to use an online recruitment and applicant tracking system from Bond International Software in its head office.

  • Contactless payment for all Pret A Manger sites

    28-Nov-2008

    Pret A Manger is rolling out contactless payment to 171 stores, after an initial trail at seven sites proved a success.

  • The VAT rate systems scramble

    26-Nov-2008

    Whether retailers will have realigned their pricing in time for the VAT change on December 1 remains to be seen and could come down to the emphasis they have put on creating systems that allow business agility.

  • JD buys JJB stake as Dave Whelan eyes health club chain

    25-Nov-2008

    JJB Sports founder Dave Whelan is in talks to buy the retailer's health club chain and JD Sports Fashion has bought a 10 per cent stake in its rival.

  • IT leadership: Master of all trades

    20-Nov-2008

    Retail IT directors are increasingly being tasked with a wider role and more responsibility. Joanna Perry asks why and assesses the impact of such shifts.

  • Mallplace.com: Virtual mall launches with affiliate offer

    20-Nov-2008

    A virtual mall has launched this week that hopes to become a destination for consumers to browse stores on the web in a similar way to how they would in real life.

  • Tesco Digital tests film download service

    19-Nov-2008

    Tesco has launched a beta version of a movie and TV download section on its Digital site.

  • Can retail get to grips with IT jargon?

    19-Nov-2008

    From tulip dresses to kitten heels, retail is awash with industry-specific terms, so does it matter if the IT department throws in a few more for good measure?

  • Supply Chain: The moving target

    13-Nov-2008

    Supply chain optimisation is one area where retailers can’t afford to stop spending. Joanna Perry hears why quick and responsive systems are vital in the present climate.

  • Tesco adds movies and TV to download site

    12-Nov-2008

    Tesco has added movies and TV shows to its digital download site Tesco Digital.

  • Lipsy revamps site to push interactivity

    12-Nov-2008

    Next-owned fashion brand Lipsy last week relaunched its transactional web site to bring it closer to its customers.

  • IT costs linked to success

    12-Nov-2008

    Retailers have traditionally been stuck with high fixed costs for running their IT, but now the tables are turning as they seek to tie their success and their IT suppliers’ revenues more closely together.

  • JD Williams invests for web performance

    11-Nov-2008

    Home shopping retailer JD Williams is aiming to maximise the performance of its websites using application reporting software from CA.

  • Burton e-commerce head joins eCommera

    10-Nov-2008

    Former Burton head of e-commerce Barry Wyse has joined ecommerce services supplier eCommera as director of marketing.

  • Retec buys Morrisons photo booth contract

    10-Nov-2008

    Morrisons is to work with Retec Digital for the supply of photo booths in its stores, following the administration of its previous supplier, Consolidated Vending Plc (CVD).

  • World Duty Free adopts e-trading service

    10-Nov-2008

    World Duty Free is introducing a managed service from GXS to trade electronically with its small and medium-sized suppliers.

  • Technology Marketing: Channel tuning

    6-Nov-2008

    TV and print advertising are no longer the only places to put marketing spend. Joanna Perry explores some of the latest options.

  • Interactive James Bond display a quantum leap for Harrods

    5-Nov-2008

    Harrods is experimenting with interactive displays in its store windows as part of a James Bond-themed display.

  • All systems go for IT at M&S

    5-Nov-2008

    Marks & Spencer has reconfirmed its commitment to investing in its systems and supply chain in order to weather what it admits will be a difficult 2009 and beyond.

  • Technology spending: A time to make do and mend?

    31-Oct-2008

    The credit crunch is forcing consumers to keep their wallets in their pockets, but does it mean that the purse strings are also tightening for IT departments? Joanna Perry finds out.

  • Kookai sets up automatic sales links for concessions

    29-Oct-2008

    Kookaï is rolling out a system to allow it to automatically receive sales data from its concession partners.

  • Tesco tests shopper feedback initiative

    29-Oct-2008

    Tesco is inviting its customers to provide feedback on any aspect of their shopping experience that they want to discuss.

  • The internet alters consumers' minds

    28-Oct-2008

    Using the internet can actually change the way your brain works, but retailers will do well by continuing to offer their customers a mixture of digital interaction and a human touch.

  • Asos: The big picture

    23-Oct-2008

    With sales flying, Asos is coasting the downturn. IT chief Gary Mudie tells Joanna Perry how his technology plan will keep it in fashion.

  • Co-op and Morrisons: the IT challenge

    22-Oct-2008

    The Co-op has finally got the go ahead from the Office of Fair Trading for its acquisition of Somerfield. It will be interesting to see what happens to the two companies’ IT strategies in response.

  • Jessops steps up web presence

    22-Oct-2008

    Jessops is making improvements to its e-commerce site to provide customers with a faster and more personalised experience.

  • Shopper behaviour: Read the signals

    15-Oct-2008

    As retailers pull out all the stops to maximise sales in the present climate, technology that uses mobile phone signals to track how people shop can be put to good use.

  • Retailers should expect technology supplier consolidation

    15-Oct-2008

    Possible retail consolidation following on from the financial meltdown in Iceland is all the sector can talk about this week. But another knock-on effect of the current economic climate is that it could spell a whole new wave of consolidation in the technology sector.

  • Carphone Warehouse invests in system to control European purchase ordering

    14-Oct-2008

    Carphone Warehouse is rolling out a system to deal with non-stock purchase order management across Europe.

  • QVC mulls further channel developments

    14-Oct-2008

    QVC has revealed that it is already considering a new version of its online video platform, less than a month after it launched the latest incarnation, QVC On Demand.

  • Scotmid consolidates its servers to bolster growth

    14-Oct-2008

    Independent Scottish co-operative Scotmid is poised to complete a project to virtualise its server infrastructure to support its growth plans.

  • Multichannel: Channel hopping

    9-Oct-2008

    As consumers increasingly shop across more than one channel, retailers need to ensure they provide a multichannel service that meets their changing demands. Joanna Perry reports.

  • Ministry of Sound pushes brands with e-tail assault

    8-Oct-2008

    Lifestyle brand Ministry of Sound is to embark on a retail initiative with the relaunch of its web site.

  • Online conversion key as web sales slow

    8-Oct-2008

    Neither nose-diving share prices, nor the ongoing debate about whether the UK is yet in recession could deter the great and the good of e-commerce from coming together for a conference in West London yesterday.

  • Queue technology

    2-Oct-2008

    In today’s tough market, good customer service matters more than ever. Joanna Perry finds out how retailers are using technology to tackle one of customers’ biggest gripes: queues

  • US’s Casual Male embarks on European online assault

    1-Oct-2008

    US mens outsize retailer Casual Male Retail Group is kicking off a European sales offensive with the launch of multiple European web sites for its two brands.

  • Green IT gets a retail lesson

    30-Sep-2008

    A new book by John Lewis Partnership technical strategy manager Gary Hird helps managers cut through all the industry greenwash and pick out what is important within the mass of information published on green IT.

  • IBM survey: Web sites driving store sales

    29-Sep-2008

    Some three-quarters of multichannel shoppers browse online before they buy from stores, according to a new report from technology supplier IBM.

  • Inside IBM's software lab: Blue-sky thinking

    25-Sep-2008

    IBM’s software lab is a hive of technological development but is it able to solve retailers’ problems, asks Joanna Perry

  • Harrods unveils multimedia Science Museum toy arena

    24-Sep-2008

    Harrods has launched a branded area for Science Museum toys featuring a mix of multimedia screens and live demonstrations.

  • Contactless payment: Touchy subject

    18-Sep-2008

    A year after its launch, few retailers have so far committed to contactless payment. Joanna Perry finds out how consumers and retailers alike are responding to the trials.

  • Blacks installs kiosks to offer travel advice

    17-Sep-2008

    Outdoor specialist Blacks is testing an in-store kiosk that gives customers travel and healthcare advice, as well as product recommendations for foreign travel.

  • M&S pilots reviews and video on its site

    17-Sep-2008

    Marks & Spencer is experimenting with product videos and ratings and reviews on its e-commerce site.

  • Dancing to a digital tune

    16-Sep-2008

    Since Apple turned the music retail business on its head with the launch of the iPod and iTunes online music store, it has rather set the pace of change in the industry.

  • RFID: What are UK retailers missing?

    11-Sep-2008

    Retailers in continental Europe and the US are striding ahead with RFID. What are their UK counterparts missing?

  • Mosaic kicks off drive for uniform planning systems

    10-Sep-2008

    Mosaic Fashions is rolling out JDA’s merchandise planning system to its Principles, Shoe Studio and Warehouse divisions.

  • Tesco speeds up basket and loss analysis

    10-Sep-2008

    Tesco has replaced a system at its data centre in order to improve both the basket analysis and stock wastage analysis it runs.

  • John Lewis pushes on with IP CCTV roll-out

    10-Sep-2008

    John Lewis has gone live with a networked CCTV system at its Leicester Highcross store, which opened last week.

  • Marks & Spooks

    10-Sep-2008

    It has been a very gloomy start to the week.

  • Face facts: using data to maximise sales

    4-Sep-2008

    A lot of retailers already have the data they need to help maximise sales, but they don’t necessarily know how to use it. Joanna Perry reports.

  • TK Maxx to use data to tackle shrinkage

    3-Sep-2008

    Discount retailer TK Maxx is to roll out a data-mining system to identify fraudulent activity and process errors.

  • Just browsing

    3-Sep-2008

    The technology world is buzzing after Google launched an internet browser yesterday. Some suspect that the application, called Chrome, is just the beginning of Google’s ambitions to develop its own web-based operating system.

  • Right skills, right place?

    28-Aug-2008

    Retailers argue that it is difficult to recruit and retain the range of skills they need within their IT departments. But is turning to outsourcers really the answer? Joanna Perry reports.

  • Full of eastern promise

    27-Aug-2008

    For several years, large technology vendors have warned that retailers in the emerging economies would soon be leapfrogging their Western peers when it comes to their use of technology.

  • Roxy goes live with European e-tail venture

    27-Aug-2008

    Female surf brand Roxy, owned by Quiksilver, has launched a European e-commerce site.

  • Supermarkets deny introducing compulsory fuel pre-payments

    27-Aug-2008

    Supermarkets have refuted claims that consumers could soon find themselves having to enter a payment card at their garages’ fuel pumps before they fill up.

  • Phones 4U to outsource IT and streamline back office

    27-Aug-2008

    Phones 4U has confirmed that it will transfer 90 per cent of its IT department to an outsourcing firm.

  • Nectar launches music download store

    27-Aug-2008

    Nectar has today launched a music download service allowing cardholders to redeem loyalty points for digital music.

  • Will Best Buy be best in UK?

    21-Aug-2008

    News of Best Buy’s UK launch has caused a storm, but will it really transform electricals retailing? Joanna Perry speaks to Best Buy chief Bob Willett about how it plans to replicate its US success.

  • A Woman's Touch

    21-Aug-2008

    Female-led categories are netting the highest growth rates online, so should web sites be adapted to suit how women shop? Joanna Perry finds out.

  • Topshop implements call-forward system at flagship to beat queues

    20-Aug-2008

    Topshop’s Oxford Circus flagship store has gone live with a call-forward system to minimise queues for customers.

  • Scotts to speed up its order processing

    20-Aug-2008

    Catalogue specialist Scotts & Co is to implement an order-processing system from Kewill to support its direct dispatch business model.

  • Vodafone to up service with raft of technology initiatives

    20-Aug-2008

    Vodafone is working on several IT projects to help its retail teams improve customer service.

  • Enemy at the gate?

    20-Aug-2008

    The results of the National Gateway Security Survey released this morning show that securing networks against external attacks is still the top priority for most companies, despite evidence clearly highlighting the continuing risk of internal attacks.

  • Family affair

    14-Aug-2008

    With his technology nous, Scott Weavers-Wright makes the ongoing development of niche multichannel retailer Kiddicare look like child’s play. Joanna Perry visits his new superstore.

  • Ryman tightens stocktaking

    13-Aug-2008

    Ryman has improved the accuracy of its stocktaking process after implementing an auditing system.

  • Argos gathers data to customise e-mails

    13-Aug-2008

    Argos is collecting information on its e-mail newsletter readers as part of a plan to customise the offers and information it sends out.

  • Police recover stolen Chip & PIN terminals

    13-Aug-2008

    Police last night charged two people with conspiracy to defraud after raiding a counterfeit payment card factory in Birmingham.

  • Real retail leaders

    13-Aug-2008

    In some rare good news for UK retailers it has been revealed that they come out on top of other industries when it comes to customer experience.

  • Sainsbury’s bolsters its videoconferencing

    8-Aug-2008

    Sainsbury’s logistics division is using a managed videoconferencing service in 10 UK locations to improve collaboration, cut travel costs and support corporate social responsibility.

  • Bright ideas dazzle at the show

    8-Aug-2008

    Technology can help you keep ahead in difficult times, bringing rapid returns and better efficiency, as well as helping save the planet. So, as show delegates found out, innovation is more important than ever

  • As seen on screen

    7-Aug-2008

    Early digital store signage is being overtaken by more sophisticated media. Joanna Perry finds out how video is stealing the show.

  • Faith upgrades broadband to stores after pilot

    6-Aug-2008

    Faith is rolling out an upgraded broadband network to all its stores and concessions to provide better customer service and cost savings.

  • Long Tall Sally casts net wider with web revamp

    6-Aug-2008

    Long Tall Sally is to create separate dollar and euro sites, as well as relaunch its main web site as part of a drive to expand its direct shopping business.

  • Carphone to invest in staff scheduling tool

    6-Aug-2008

    Carphone Warehouse is to roll out an employee scheduling system to stores across seven European countries.

  • Foreign threat goes virtual

    6-Aug-2008

    Eastern European criminal gangs are already the scourge of UK retailers because of their prolific shoplifting activity.

  • WHSmith picks US system for ad production

    30-Jul-2008

    WHSmith is to use a promotions management application from US supplier Connect3 Systems.

  • Aus technology push for Pets at Home

    30-Jul-2008

    Pets at Home’s Australian joint venture is introducing technology to improve productivity ahead of continued store expansion.

  • Oli creates click-to-buy videos to back Fusion designer launch

    30-Jul-2008

    Oli plans to introduce editorial-style videos to its web site to promote three of its designer ranges this week.

  • A steady income helps

    30-Jul-2008

    Don’t be surprised if the meaning of the word service changes dramatically in the next few years. Right now, in retail terms, it still refers to the concept of being assisted by a member of staff, probably in a store or call centre.

  • Waterstone’s creates company-wide portal

    23-Jul-2008

    Waterstone’s has created a single data warehouse and a web-based reports platform in a project costing less than £500,000.

  • On good Phorm

    23-Jul-2008

    At BT’s AGM last week, the telecoms giant confirmed that it would be pushing on with its trials of Phorm.

  • Two sides to every story

    18-Jul-2008

    ERP systems tend to only ever make the headlines when they go wrong, but the positive impact they can have on a retail business is still tremendous, as Joanna Perry discovers

  • New Figleaves site to take euro payments

    16-Jul-2008

    Figleaves will allow customers to pay for items in euros when it relaunches its web site at the beginning of next year.

  • Give them proof

    16-Jul-2008

    As if supply chain management didn’t have enough to worry about with the price of fuel, Wal-Mart has set a new precedent for the level of information consumers can expect on products.

  • Signs of the times

    11-Jul-2008

    Customer focus, carbon footprints and career paths topped the technology agenda at this year’s Retail Solutions conference. Joanna Perry attended to find out who’s doing what

  • Borders invests in store communications IT

    9-Jul-2008

    Borders is to implement a store communication system as part of the software refresh it is undertaking this year.

  • Otto cuts late payments with automated calling

    9-Jul-2008

    Mail order retail group Otto UK has increased payments received on time by 17 per cent by calling customers with an automated reminder.

  • Third-generation phone, first-generation service

    9-Jul-2008

    If the chatter on the web is anything to go by, many customers have been disappointed by the process put in place by O2 for pre-registered customers to get their hands on the new 3G iPhone.

  • Halfords adds shopper Q&A function online

    4-Jul-2008

    Halfords is letting customers ask product questions and answer each other’s on its web site.

  • Tesco to deploy staff scheduling to stores

    4-Jul-2008

    Tesco is to roll out a workforce scheduling system to its stores.

  • Up close and personal

    3-Jul-2008

    Asos wants to tailor its communications to different customers. Marketing boss Hash Ladha tells Joanna Perry how a customer relationship management system will help it meet its aims

  • Asos set for overseas assault as profits race booms

    3-Jul-2008

    Asos is poised to launch foreign-language versions of its web site as it sets its sights on international expansion to continue market-leading growth.

  • Big Brother goes green

    2-Jul-2008

    Technology comes in for some stick for allowing people to snoop on others. Whether its e-mail, web monitoring or even CCTV, technology’s use often comes with negative connotations.

  • Roll with it

    27-Jun-2008

    Paper, energy, landfill and even water savings are being made at Sainsbury’s as it rolls out double-sided till receipt printers, finds Joanna Perry

  • Sainsbury's counts the cost of web crash

    27-Jun-2008

    Sainsbury’s was back up and running this week, but the supermarket has remained tight-lipped over the “technical glitch” that forced it to suspend its grocery shopping site.

  • The message is clear

    27-Jun-2008

    Consumers are not yet using their mobile phones to do all their shopping, as some forecast, but retailers are still finding them a powerful tool. Joanna Perry investigates

  • Retail Solutions: Day One

    25-Jun-2008

    Much of the retail news right now is doom and gloom. But not at the first day of Retail Solutions yesterday, where there was a little love in the air.

  • Fast retailing

    20-Jun-2008

    Aggressive international expansion was causing headaches for Comptoir des Cotonniers IT director Marc Bernhard. The solution? An EPoS system that could integrate easily and be delivered and managed remotely. Joanna Perry reports

  • Beaverbrooks moves to wireless network

    20-Jun-2008

    Beaverbrooks has installed a wireless network and 3G back-up system across its 62 stores.

  • Sainsbury’s site crashes

    18-Jun-2008

    Sainsbury’s has had to suspend its online grocery business because of a technical fault.

  • A credit to internet retailing

    18-Jun-2008

    On Monday another sign that the internet is the saviour of retail emerged, when leading credit rating agency Moody’s issued a note explaining that it is starting to take internet sales more seriously when it comes to giving retailers a credit rating.

  • House of Fraser to link suppliers to data pool

    18-Jun-2008

    House of Fraser is to ask its suppliers to provide their product information through a data synchronisation service.

  • Dunelm supplier switch bolsters EPoS support

    18-Jun-2008

    Dunelm has seen a threefold improvement in EPoS maintenance support since switching suppliers last year.

  • Space science

    13-Jun-2008

    Trading is gruelling across the board, so retailers need to focus on maximising the performance of their existing space. Joanna Perry finds out how high-tech space planning can help

  • Carbon accounting

    12-Jun-2008

    Retailers will have to collect and analyse all kinds of new data if they are to prove that they are going green, writes Joanna Perry

  • Business briefing

    12-Jun-2008

    Five retail business trends have implications for technology investment and projects, hears Joanna Perry

  • RedPrairie tool lifts distribution for John Lewis

    11-Jun-2008

    John Lewis is expecting a surge in productivity in its distribution centres in time for this year’s Christmas sales peak.

  • New Rip Curl system shifts focus to stores

    11-Jun-2008

    Surfwear brand Rip Curl Europe has claimed that the retail system it has rolled out is helping it put stores at the heart of its operation.

  • Asda to cut fuel bill by tracking its vans

    11-Jun-2008

    Asda is to reduce costs and improve customer service with a satellite tracking system for its home delivery vans.

  • Outsourcing: deal or no deal?

    10-Jun-2008

    Yesterday Retail Week held its second technology-focused webinar – this time on what place outsourcing has in a retail sector facing weak consumer demand.

  • In the loop

    6-Jun-2008

    Tesco is to push the barriers yet again with a telecoms deal that could revolutionise staff communications and shopper services. IT boss Nick Folkes gives Joanna Perry a glimpse of things to come

  • Borders launches beta version of new site

    4-Jun-2008

    Bookseller Borders is allowing customers access to the beta version of its soon-to-be-launched replacement web site.

  • Wine merchant adopts system to lift Irish sales

    4-Jun-2008

    Wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd is in the process of implementing a combined back office and point-of-sale system to support its Irish multichannel business.

  • Metro relocates test site for Future Store

    4-Jun-2008

    Metro has unveiled the latest testing ground for its Future Store Initiative at a Real hypermarket in Toenisvorst, Germany.

  • Screwfix adds feedback tool to site

    4-Jun-2008

    Screwfix has rolled out customer ratings and reviews to all 18,000 products in its online store.

  • Keeping up with the kids

    4-Jun-2008

    Staying in touch with the youth market is more about taking their pulse than trying to wow them with gadgets. Or so says Rip Curl Europe chief executive Olivier Cantet, who Retail Week caught up with yesterday at an event on the beach outside Barcelona appropriately.

  • First port of call

    30-May-2008

    The gloomy market conditions mean that store systems have never been more critical. Joanna Perry finds out how retailers are keeping them up and running

  • Tesco to save £10 million with private mobile network

    29-May-2008

    Tesco expects to save £8 million to £10 million a year with the creation of an innovative telecommunications network for the group’s UK and international operations.

  • Luxury online sales to soar

    28-May-2008

    The sale of luxury items online is set to rocket in the next five years.

  • Sharing the wealth

    28-May-2008

    Affiliate marketing – loved by many retailers for the high return on investment that it provides – is starting to be superseded by the power of the people.

  • Sony adds an interactive touch to its windows

    28-May-2008

    Sony is the latest technology retailer to add an interactive display to its store windows.

  • Direct Wines picks international IT

    28-May-2008

    Direct Wines is preparing to go live with a Microsoft-based IT platform for its US business.

  • Macy’s rolls out iPod vending machines

    28-May-2008

    US department store chain Macy’s has rolled out vending machines for consumer electronics to 400 stores.

  • Play.com reveals first phase of site revamp

    23-May-2008

    Play.com has revealed that the redesign of its web site is only the beginning of a phase of planned development work.

  • Change is a good thing

    21-May-2008

    Play.com and Ann Summers both unveiled new-look web sites at the end of last week.

  • Through the looking glass

    15-May-2008

    Shop windows that have been turned into interactive displays are the latest way of grabbing passing shoppers’ attention. Joanna Perry goes to sample a couple in London’s West End

  • Can I see some ID?

    14-May-2008

    For as long as shops have sold cigarettes and alcohol, underage customers have been trying to buy them.

  • Prevention is the best cure

    8-May-2008

    They’re surrounded by hype, but what’s the truth about card-not-present fraud figures and, whatever the measure, have they peaked? Joanna Perry goes in search of the answers

  • Superdrug software to improve ranging

    7-May-2008

    Superdrug is to implement space and category management software in the next six months to increase sales and support its expansion.

  • Talk is not so cheap

    7-May-2008

    Whole Foods Market must have breathed a sigh of relief last week when it was revealed that no further action was to be taken by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over its chief executive’s way with words on public internet forums.

  • Italian style: Valentino Fashion Group embraces technology to stay ahead

    1-May-2008

    Valentino Fashion Group has embraced technology to stay ahead in the increasingly competitive world of high fashion. Joanna Perry visits Milan to learn how the business has been transformed

  • Majestic extends EPoS to France

    30-Apr-2008

    Majestic Wine has extended its use of Itim’s EPoS system to its French stores.

  • ERSA 2008 shortlist announced

    29-Apr-2008

    The European Retail Solutions Awards has produced its largest short-list so far, following a judging day in late April.

  • Following financial services

    28-Apr-2008

    Financial services firms have tended to be ahead of the curve when it comes to deploying new technology, because their businesses rely and benefit so much from it.

  • Supply chain software: A problem shared

    24-Apr-2008

    Switching supply chain software can be tricky. Retailers from across the globe – including Musgrave and Carrefour – shared their experiences at a user event earlier this month. Joanna Perry reports

  • Allied Carpets cuts communications costs with new service deal

    23-Apr-2008

    Allied Carpets expects to save £1 million over the next five years after consolidating its mobile and fixed-line communications contracts.

  • Heathrow, we have a problem

    23-Apr-2008

    A trip to Italy earlier this week gave me the opportunity to sample the delights of Heathrow Terminal 5.

  • Pay as you go

    17-Apr-2008

    Retailers are turning to mobile EPoS devices to reduce till queues and improve customer satisfaction. Joanna Perry finds out how they can increase efficiency on the shopfloor

  • Harveys’ SMS Corrie link-up bolsters sales

    16-Apr-2008

    Harveys has declared its SMS voucher trial in connection with Coronation Street a success.

  • Somerfield tests mobile scanning

    16-Apr-2008

    Somerfield is piloting a mobile scanning system from Datalogic Scanning with a view to rolling it out at its convenience-led stores.

  • Ann Summers to strengthen planning

    16-Apr-2008

    Ann Summers is to transform its planning process with software from Island Pacific.

  • Roadworks ahead for e-commerce

    16-Apr-2008

    In the past week, the BBC has come under fire from internet service providers that want it to share in the estimated £831 million it will cost to upgrade the public network and prevent what might be described as an internet traffic jam.

  • River Island to revamp site as it rethinks web platform

    16-Apr-2008

    River Island is to redesign its web site while it replaces its underlying web platform.

  • Paul Makin

    16-Apr-2008

    Paul Makin, sales director at software supplier K3, died suddenly on April 4, aged 44.

  • In sync: Retailers and suppliers warm to global data synchronisation

    11-Apr-2008

    Retailers and their suppliers are slowly but surely warming to the idea of global data synchronisation, says Alison Clements

  • Wickes overhauls daily staff schedule system

    9-Apr-2008

    DIY retailer Wickes is in the process of implementing a staff-scheduling system from Workplace Systems to increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.

  • Staples picks PDAs for loss-prevention audits

    9-Apr-2008

    Staples has rolled out an audit system on mobile phones to all of its loss-prevention officers.

  • Ahold unveils details of business transformation plan

    9-Apr-2008

    Ahold USA has revealed that it is working with Capgemini and Enabler Wipro on a long-term consulting and systems integration project.

  • Data loss could become criminal

    8-Apr-2008

    Retailers everywhere will be breathing a sigh of relief that HSBC’s missing computer disk contains no bank account or payment card data that can get into unscrupulous hands.

  • One-click generation

    3-Apr-2008

    Science fiction will become a reality in 2028 as technology evolves to give the consumer exactly what they want, when they want it, forecasts Joanna Perry

  • Self-service with a smile

    1-Apr-2008

    Earlier this year, Retail Week wrote about technology analyst IDC’s forecast that this year would be the year when self-service technology would begin to take off in Europe (Retail Week, January 31).

  • Power to the people

    27-Mar-2008

    Everyone’s a potential critic online. So how can you harness their views for the good of your brand? Joanna Perry investigates

  • Carphone says SOA is cost effective

    26-Mar-2008

    Carphone Warehouse has revealed that the business services it has created within its service oriented architecture (SOA) strategy become cost effective when they are reused three times.

  • Game shoppers give thumbs up to online ratings

    26-Mar-2008

    Game revealed its customers are responding well to the rating and review tools added to its web site.

  • Integrated contactless system launches at Eat

    26-Mar-2008

    Sandwich shop Eat has become the first merchant in the UK to go live with a contactless payment system that is integrated with its EPoS software.

  • Quick payment at your fingertips

    20-Mar-2008

    Today, sandwich shop EAT announced that it’s the first merchant to go live with a contactless payment system that is integrated with its EPoS software.

  • Vital statistics

    19-Mar-2008

    The demographics of the UK are changing and retailers need to keep up with who their customers are if they are to succeed on a local level. Joanna Perry looks at the importance of data collecting

  • Focus on the basics

    19-Mar-2008

    Earlier today, Retail Week hosted a web seminar following on from the Retail Week Conference.

  • Perfume Shop improves planning

    19-Mar-2008

    The Perfume Shop is preparing to implement the second phase of a planning system from Island Pacific.

  • Lloydspharmacy renews EPoS contract with Vista after audit

    19-Mar-2008

    Lloydspharmacy has signed a three-year renewal contract for EPoS maintenance services with Vista Retail Support.

  • Borders UK to adopt Itim suite in integrated software overhaul

    19-Mar-2008

    Borders UK is planning to sign up for Itim’s Retail Suite of integrated software before the end of April.

  • Less is more

    13-Mar-2008

    Boots is on a mission to reduce shrinkage to new lows with integrated security systems. Head of loss prevention Robert Jennings talks Joanna Perry through the project

  • Asda opts for Cinario to run store security

    12-Mar-2008

    Asda is using software from Cinario to integrate and manage all of its security systems running in a range of its stores.

  • Banks and police team up to tackle card fraud data

    12-Mar-2008

    The banking industry has launched a fraud intelligence unit to improve information sharing between banks and the police.

  • DSGi head office staff get a lesson in green printing

    12-Mar-2008

    DSGi claims to have cut paper use by 4 million sheets and cut CO2 emissions by 93 tonnes a year since switching to Lexmark’s managed printing service two years ago.

  • RWC08: Dunstone rallies retailers

    12-Mar-2008

    Carphone Warehouse founder and chief executive Charles Dunstone has opened the Retail Week Conference by challenging retailers to work harder to secure consumers’ shrinking discretionary spend.

  • Card fraud goes global

    11-Mar-2008

    Payment association Apacs today released figures for card fraud in 2007.

  • The weakest link

    5-Mar-2008

    Getting tills ready for the switch-over to Chip and PIN caused major headaches for retailers. But the problems haven’t ended there, as Joanna Perry discovers

  • Stand and deliver

    5-Mar-2008

    Just picture it. It’s Saturday afternoon at the shops and all around are sons and daughters rushing to purchase last-minute gifts for Mother’s Day.

  • UK Digital Cameras joins service to pool fraud data

    5-Mar-2008

    Fast-growing online retailer UK Digital Cameras has signed up for Ethoca’s collaborative fraud service.

  • Wickes moves IT to Northampton centre

    5-Mar-2008

    Travis Perkins has migrated Wickes’ London IT systems to a new data centre in Northampton.

  • White Stuff connects its shops and HQ via broadband link-up

    5-Mar-2008

    White Stuff is close to completing the roll-out of a broadband wide area network (WAN) from Vodat.

  • Technology in luxury retail: No imitation

    3-Mar-2008

    Their customers may have lavish budgets, but are luxury retailers big spenders when it comes to the technology they use in their businesses? Joanna Perry investigates

  • Union’s online campaign against M&S thwarted

    27-Feb-2008

    Union Unite’s attempt to launch an online marketing offensive against Marks & Spencer appears to have been thwarted by Google.

  • Gieves & Hawkes enlists VoIP to cut call costs

    27-Feb-2008

    Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes is making significant savings on its telephony costs after switching to an internet protocol-based telephone service.

  • Boden to launch ratings and reviews on UK site

    27-Feb-2008

    Mail order retailer Boden will add product ratings and reviews to its web site this spring.

  • Agent Provocateur invests in IT to back growth plans

    27-Feb-2008

    Luxury lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur is to roll out a system from K3 to support its multichannel operation and improve its product lifecycle management as it expands the business.

  • RFID: have your say

    27-Feb-2008

    EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding has voiced concerns about the use of RFID chips for several years.

  • Digital divide: is the IT department an unloved outpost of your organisation?

    20-Feb-2008

    Is the IT department an unloved outpost of your organisation, or critical to its success? Joanna Perry explains one new measure that has been designed to help retailers find out

  • Specsavers seals £4.5m global broadband deal

    20-Feb-2008

    Specsavers has signed a £4.5 million five-year deal with Vanco to provide a broadband network spanning six countries.

  • Tesco to expand its use of electronic shelf-edge labels

    20-Feb-2008

    Tesco is to extend its use of electronic shelf-edge labelling (ESL) using a system from Swedish vendor Pricer.

  • Retailers must iUp the competition

    20-Feb-2008

    Apple has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide that will see it sell a selection of the broadcaster’s programmes through iTunes for £1.89 an episode.

  • Retail Solutions relocates

    19-Feb-2008

    This year’s Retail Solutions show is to relocate to ExCel in London from its former home at Birmingham’s NEC.

  • Morrisons unveils its £110m IT makeover

    14-Feb-2008

    Morrisons has signed a deal with Oracle for what is set to be the biggest retail IT transformation project agreed this year.

  • Touch and go

    14-Feb-2008

    Some estimates claim that there will be 5 million contactless payment cards that can be accepted at 100,000 locations by the end of the year. Joanna Perry asks just how realistic this is

  • The Pier buys into system to update EPoS

    13-Feb-2008

    The Pier has rolled out an EPoS system that is used by many retailers in South Africa after it was brought to the UK by new retail software supplier Argility.

  • Online reward site rolls out store scheme

    13-Feb-2008

    Online shopping reward scheme Mutualpoints has launched an offline reward programme for its members.

  • Awareness must equal action

    13-Feb-2008

    Industry bodies in the UK associated with information security have got together to launch the Information Security Awareness Forum.

  • Central lines

    7-Feb-2008

    Tesco has ramped up its non-food position in Central Europe by consolidating its clothing and hard-lines supply chains there. Joanna Perry examines how the project was achieved

  • Littlewoods uses web monitor to enhance sites

    6-Feb-2008

    Littlewoods Shop Direct has improved its web sites after studying data from an external performance monitoring service.

  • La Senza hits the mark with web campaign

    6-Feb-2008

    An online ad trial by La Senza using social networking and sports web sites has been a resounding success.

  • Retailers under pressure to meet card security standard

    6-Feb-2008

    Payment card schemes and acquiring banks are stepping up a gear in their demand that retailers become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS).

  • Payment card industry is finally cracking down

    6-Feb-2008

    Retailers that have been slow off the mark to become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard are now feeling the pressure.

  • BT buys Fresca

    1-Feb-2008

    Fresca, the e-commerce service provider that works with more than 20 UK retailers, has been bought by BT.

  • On trend

    31-Jan-2008

    IDC’s inaugural list of global retail technology trends makes for interesting reading. Joanna Perry examines how applicable it is to retailers in the UK

  • McColl ploughs £19m into new PoS system

    30-Jan-2008

    Convenience store operator and newsagent Martin McColl is to invest £19 million in a company-wide point-of-sale (PoS) system in the largest IT project it has undertaken to date.

  • Knowing me, knowing you

    30-Jan-2008

    Many IT directors employ gatekeeper secretaries, guard mobile phone numbers closely and refuse to set up voicemail in order to keep technology sales people at bay.

  • Retailers are still overlooking IT security risks

    30-Jan-2008

    Retailers are still not taking IT security seriously enough, according to research by Deloitte.

  • White Company to implement K3 platform

    30-Jan-2008

    The White Company has selected a technology platform from K3 to support its growth plans.

  • Customer service top of IT agenda

    24-Jan-2008

    Software and service were all everyone was talking about at the NRF’s Big Show in New York last week. Joanna Perry was there to find out how retailers are using technology to raise their game

  • Promote patronage, not prices

    23-Jan-2008

    At last week’s National Retail Federation show in New York, nearly all conversations covering retail or technology were prefaced with comments about the state of the increasingly fragile world economy.

  • New Look brings in optimisation tool

    23-Jan-2008

    New Look has implemented an inventory optimisation application to manage the replenishment of its UK stores.

  • Wal-Mart to air cartoons in Canada stores

    23-Jan-2008

    Wal-Mart Canada is to broadcast a specially created cartoon series in its stores to help customers identify with its brand.

  • US retailers check out guided selling

    23-Jan-2008

    US trials of computerised trolleys and touch-screen tables were revealed at the NRF show in New York.

  • Here to serve

    17-Jan-2008

    Convenience retailers are turning to payment processing services to bolster their revenues. Joanna Perry goes behind the scenes to see how the PayPoint network operates

  • Fraudsters going for the jackpot

    16-Jan-2008

    The logic that large retailers can afford better anti-fraud security is not something that criminals appear to be taking for granted.

  • Moss Bros ups HQ-to-store communication

    16-Jan-2008

    Moss Bros has installed a system from Retail Answers to its tills, to improve the flow of information between head office and stores.

  • Borders to run software service

    16-Jan-2008

    Borders is to test a service offering 1,500 software titles, while holding no stock, using a system that creates the appropriate disc at the point of sale.

  • Tesco to create sourcing standard across business

    16-Jan-2008

    Tesco is investing in systems to monitor product safety and ethical sourcing practices as well as support its sourcing operation.

  • WHSmith adopts document manager for accounts

    16-Jan-2008

    WHSmith has implemented a document management system to increase productivity in its accounts department.

  • A fitting solution

    10-Jan-2008

    N Brown subsidiary JD Williams has taken on a product lifecycle management system that allows it to keep its product offer apace with today’s fast fashion and still improve quality. By Joanna Perry

  • Tommy Hilfiger gives windows interactive touch

    9-Jan-2008

    Tommy Hilfiger has introduced touchscreens to the windows of several of its international stores, including its site on London’s Carnaby Street.

  • Alliance Pharmacy controls cost of labour with scheduling system

    9-Jan-2008

    Alliance Pharmacy has implemented a labour-scheduling system designed in partnership with Retail Answers.

  • Woolworths stock checker proves a hit with shoppers

    9-Jan-2008

    Woolworths’ recently launched stock-checking system has won support from both customers and staff.

  • Consumers will rule by 2013

    8-Jan-2008

    It’s very much been a week for future-gazing in the IT industry.

  • Storing up trouble

    3-Jan-2008

    Inefficient storage of data damages both the environment and retailers’ profits. Joanna Perry finds out how John Lewis is making its IT systems eco friendly

  • iShop therefore I am

    2-Jan-2008

    Apple hit the headlines in the US over the Christmas period, with the news that it has thought up an application to assist shoppers in stores.

  • Moss Bros buys software to aid IT best practice

    19-Dec-2007

    Moss Bros has invested in EasyVista software to manage its IT hardware across 170 sites.

  • Goldsmiths is latest to add rating and review service to web site

    19-Dec-2007

    Goldsmiths will introduce ratings and reviews to its web site in the new year.

  • Dreams automates estate management to cut costs

    19-Dec-2007

    Dreams has automated its property management process with a system from K3.

  • IT and the economic downturn

    17-Dec-2007

    When looking back over the past 12 months’ news to try to decide a common theme for the year, what has become apparent is how varied the technology deployed by retailers has been.

  • A complete service

    13-Dec-2007

    The potential for multiple channels has meant that retailers have had to rethink their customer service strategies. Joanna Perry discovers how the right technology can help

  • Molton Brown opts for global till system

    12-Dec-2007

    Molton Brown has rolled out an EPoS system to its global store estate to improve data visibility.

  • Slaters replaces EPoS to up customer service

    12-Dec-2007

    Menswear chain Slaters is serving customers faster and more effectively after installing Retail-J’s EPoS system.

  • IT just takes one to go green

    11-Dec-2007

    Presently holed up in Bali, politicians from around the world are debating how – and by how much – to cut carbon pollution to save the planet from the effects of global warming.

  • Topshop drives online with Facebook tie-up

    6-Dec-2007

    Topshop is promoting products on Facebook to drive traffic to its web site in the latest sign of the growing importance of social networking sites to retailers.

  • What google means to you

    6-Dec-2007

    It’s the most powerful search engine in the world. So how can you as a retailer make the most of the power of Google? Joanna Perry reveals all

  • Waitrose slashes transaction times with smart scanners

    5-Dec-2007

    Waitrose is to complete the roll-out of a new electronic point-of-sale system this week.

  • IT gets the spooks

    5-Dec-2007

    Over the weekend it was revealed that MI5 director-general Jonathan Evans sent a confidential letter to 300 chief executives and security chiefs, warning them of the substantial threat they face from industrial espionage backed by the Chinese government.

  • Ikea rolls out staff schedule application to beat queues

    5-Dec-2007

    Ikea has begun the roll-out of an employee scheduling application to match staffing levels to store trading patterns.

  • Self-serve US

    29-Nov-2007

    The US self-service kiosk market is booming, but kiosks have had a mixed reception in the UK. Joanna Perry assesses the benefits and how we can learn from successes across the pond

  • No time to waste

    28-Nov-2007

    Lockdowns at Christmas may mean major work in retailers’ IT departments halts, but that doesn’t mean that the IT staff are left idle – far from it. Liz Morrell reports

  • Out of sight, out of mind

    28-Nov-2007

    Much attention in the past week has been focused on data security. I only hope that if any retailers out there have as sloppy data protection policies in place as HM Revenue & Customs, they take this as an opportunity to learn lessons and get their houses in order.

  • Debenhams introduces task manager to maximise productivity

    28-Nov-2007

    Debenhams has implemented an advanced task management system so that it can communicate a consistent corporate strategy to its stores.

  • The Pier fortifies processing with 3G back-up link

    28-Nov-2007

    The Pier has introduced back-up data communication links that use 3G mobile phone networks.

  • Harvey Nics installs CRM tool to profile shoppers

    28-Nov-2007

    Harvey Nichols has rolled out a customer relationship management (CRM) system to all its tills to raise customer service levels.

  • Borders plans site relaunch for distinctive feel

    22-Nov-2007

    Borders is to relaunch its web site in the first quarter of next year, backed by a database of hundreds of thousands of customer e-mail addresses.

  • Interflora installs smart search to refine results

    22-Nov-2007

    Interflora has deployed a search tool on its web site that constantly refines results based on past customer behaviour.

  • Test case

    21-Nov-2007

    Earlier this year, Retail Week published a feature explaining that retailers are still taking an interest in RFID.

  • Jaeger cracks down on fraud with data-mining tool

    21-Nov-2007

    Jaeger is implementing a data-mining system to target process inefficiencies and internal fraud.

  • Co-op distribution rethink lifts stock availability

    21-Nov-2007

    The Co-op has improved on-shelf availability in the Southeast by using new warehouse management software at its regional distribution centre in Thurrock.

  • Interflora installs smart search to refine results

    21-Nov-2007

    Interflora has deployed a search tool on its web site that constantly refines results based on past customer behaviour.

  • Many hands make light work

    16-Nov-2007

    Allowing other companies to market your business online can yield easy sales, but there are risks. Joanna Perry says technology can keep activity in check

  • Tesco IT chief to step down

    15-Nov-2007

    Tesco IT director Colin Cobain will step down from his role before the end of the year.

  • Advise staff as well as customers

    14-Nov-2007

    News emerged last week that hosted CRM software vendor Salesforce.com has been subject to a data theft, after an employee fell victim to a phishing attack.

  • Net effect for Mosaic

    8-Nov-2007

    Mosaic has completed its mission to get all its brands online by the end of this year. And, as Joanna Perry finds out, the latest additions are all set for the Christmas period

  • Customer focus is key to Torex revival

    7-Nov-2007

    Technology analysts and suppliers have been lecturing retailers on the importance of listening to their customers for a while now.

  • Habitat ditches paper with stock-taking system

    7-Nov-2007

    Habitat is to introduce a stock-taking system in time for its January stock audit.

  • M&S links up with Logicalis to run IT networks

    7-Nov-2007

    Marks & Spencer has signed a four-year contract with Logicalis to manage its IT networks.

  • Mamas & Papas set to launch online giftcard

    7-Nov-2007

    Mamas & Papas is to complement its plastic giftcard, which launched in October, with a virtual giftcard that can be bought online.

  • Smooth operator

    2-Nov-2007

    Productivity has rocketed since The Works introduced a workforce management system at its distribution centre. Supply chain chief Diane Smith tells Joanna Perry how it was achieved

  • Centre of attention

    1-Nov-2007

    Retailers need to step up a gear with the service they offer through contact centres if they are to meet customers’ expectations this Christmas, writes Joanna Perry

  • All seeing eye

    1-Nov-2007

    Over the years, surveillance systems have gone from being staffed heavily to hardly at all. The latest breed has raised the bar, using cameras with built-in intelligence that are constantly on the watch. Joanna Perry reports

  • Sainsbury’s builds coupon offers with in-store system

    1-Nov-2007

    Sainsbury’s is to pilot an in-store coupon system to direct offers to customers who do not have a Nectar card and tailor offers for those that do.

  • New Figleaves web tool to let users share info

    1-Nov-2007

    Figleaves is to add a consumer product research tool to its web site to complement its existing ratings and review service.

  • Contact customers with care

    31-Oct-2007

    Twice in the past week, I have felt let down by the way my data has been used by consumer-facing organisations.

  • Thresher signs PayPoint deal for convenience

    31-Oct-2007

    Thresher Group has formalised its relationship with PayPoint by signing a five-year exclusive contract with the bill payment terminal operator.

  • Tesco reveals its vision for Second Life-style web site

    31-Oct-2007

    Tesco.com has hinted at some of the developments it is planning to make to its web site to keep up with changing consumer demands.

  • Tie Rack adopts e-marketing tool to deliver more efficient strategy

    31-Oct-2007

    Tie Rack is to begin using an online marketing system to create and deliver marketing campaigns to its 240 stores worldwide more efficiently.

  • Sainsbury’s builds coupon offers with in-store system

    25-Oct-2007

    Sainsbury’s is to pilot an in-store coupon system to direct offers to customers who do not have a Nectar card and tailor offers for those that do.

  • All seeing eye

    25-Oct-2007

    Over the years, surveillance systems have gone from being staffed heavily to hardly at all. The latest breed has raised the bar, using cameras with built-in intelligence that are constantly on the watch. Joanna Perry reports

  • New Figleaves web tool to let users share info

    24-Oct-2007

    Figleaves is to add a consumer product research tool to its web site to complement its existing ratings and review service.

  • Technology must not turn a blind eye

    24-Oct-2007

    A good policeman uses a combination of knowledge, experience and instinct to determine when to pull a car over or stop and search a suspected criminal on the street.

  • Direct Wines tests multichannel data capture

    24-Oct-2007

    Direct Wines is testing a service that allows it to create a single view of its customers across channels.

  • The wonder of widgets

    18-Oct-2007

    Mini applications, or widgets, are delivering product information straight to customers’ desktops and turning consumers into brand advocates. Joanna Perry investigates the latest trend

  • Supply chain is sexy

    17-Oct-2007

    Unlike buying or marketing, supply chain isn’t up there as one of the sexy functions within retailing. That’s an oversight that this column aims to put right.

  • Net-A-Porter bolsters growth with database IT

    17-Oct-2007

    Net-A-Porter has upgraded from a free version of its database software to a paid-for one to support its continued growth.

  • Galeria Kaufhof tests MagicMirror in giant German RFID tagging trial

    17-Oct-2007

    Metro-owned German department store Galeria Kaufhof has installed an RFID-enabled changing-room mirror.

  • Shoppers back in-store IT to cut packaging on goods

    17-Oct-2007

    Consumers are increasingly open to the idea of using in-store devices to deliver greater product information, according to research by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).

  • Two horse race

    15-Oct-2007

    Looking back at a press release from 2002 it’s clear to see how much the retail software market has consolidated.

  • SAP to pounce on Business Objects

    15-Oct-2007

    SAP is to acquire business intelligence specialist Business Objects.

  • Dutch grocer pilots mobile phone payment system with LogicaCMG

    10-Oct-2007

    Dutch supermarket C1000 has embarked on a six-month pilot of a payment system that ditches debit cards in favour of mobile phones.

  • HMV outsources data centre as part of savings drive

    10-Oct-2007

    HMV Group is in the process of relocating and consolidating its server estate after signing a managed services contract with Syan.

  • Rail operator tests water with combined retail and ticket shop

    10-Oct-2007

    The third test store in the trial of a combined ticket office and convenience shop concept operated by Merseyrail will open at the end of the month.

  • Two horse race

    10-Oct-2007

    Looking back at a press release from 2002 it’s clear to see how much the retail software market has consolidated.

  • SAP to pounce on Business Objects

    8-Oct-2007

    SAP is to acquire business intelligence specialist Business Objects.

  • Credit crunch

    4-Oct-2007

    Credit may be hard to come by in world financial markets at the moment, but in the IT industry it’s a different matter

  • Stores play catch up

    4-Oct-2007

    A quick dash into M&S in Hammersmith yesterday certainly highlighted the point that customer expectations have been raised by the internet.

  • Carphone plans service alarm roll-out after trial

    3-Oct-2007

    Carphone Warehouse is planning to roll out a managed service for store security alarms after a successful trial.

  • I Want One Of Those to slash IT costs with Suse Linux platform

    3-Oct-2007

    I Want One Of Those is set to reduce its IT operational costs by 10 per cent after standardising its computing platform on Suse Linux Enterprise Server.

  • Ryman combines processes with integrated software

    3-Oct-2007

    Ryman is in the process of implementing a single integrated head office system that will cover its financial, inventory management and distribution processes.

  • The platform for growth

    1-Oct-2007

    As e-commerce matures, can retailers gain an edge by developing their own web site, or are they better off with a service provider? Joanna Perry reports

  • A platform for growth

    28-Sep-2007

    As e-commerce matures, can retailers gain a competitive edge from developing their own web site, or are they better off working with a service provider? Joanna Perry reports

  • Platform for growth

    27-Sep-2007

    As e-commerce matures, can retailers gain a competitive edge from developing their own web site, or are they better off working with a service provider? Joanna Perry reports

  • Tesco.com to tighten up e-mail marketing

    26-Sep-2007

    Tesco.com is planning to make its e-mail marketing campaigns more targeted after signing up database marketing services company Epsilon International.

  • Dolcis revamps store systems under new owner

    26-Sep-2007

    Dolcis has begun a roll-out of a new store system as part of the IT overhaul taking place to separate it from previous owner Alexon Group.

  • Next ups staff efficiency with management software

    26-Sep-2007

    Next has improved staff efficiency in its stores after implementing a workforce management system.

  • In the detail

    24-Sep-2007

    Millions has been invested in CRM systems, but return on investment focuses on marketing. Joanna Perry reports

  • Perfume Shop overhauls store communications

    19-Sep-2007

    The Perfume Shop is migrating its store communications to an electronic format following the roll-out of an intranet application.

  • Woolworths rejigs site after customer survey

    19-Sep-2007

    Woolworths is making changes to its web site after conducting an online survey of customers’ experiences on the site.

  • To rent or buy?

    19-Sep-2007

    Software as a service is slowly catching on with retailers

  • Multichannel retailers trump pure-plays on customer experience

    13-Sep-2007

    Boots, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis among the high street giants leading the way

  • Customers are taking control

    12-Sep-2007

    A new web site combining shopping and social networking allows consumers to give retailers a helping hand

  • The People Revolution

    7-Sep-2007

    Dublin department store Arnotts is about to complete a two-year IT overhaul that will be the backbone of future growth. Joanna Perry learns why educating staff has been key to its success

  • Debenhams to launch video demos in stores

    6-Sep-2007

    System to promote Science Museum toys

  • The Works introduces workforce management tool

    6-Sep-2007

    System expected to improve delivery and service at books and stationery retailer

  • Torex confident of turnaround with second equity injection

    6-Sep-2007

    General Atlantic takes 33% share

  • Somerfield upgrades artwork proofing system

    5-Sep-2007

    Approval to allow more sophisticated design process

  • Cash, card or mobile phone?

    5-Sep-2007

    Right now, retailers need to get to grips with the dawn of contactless payment

  • TM Lewin starts systems upgrade drive

    3-Sep-2007

    TM Lewin will go live with Prologic’s CIMS software at its head office in September, in the first phase of an enterprise-wide implementation.

  • Does IT matter?

    29-Aug-2007

    Tasked with writing a column on a weekly basis devoted to the matter of technology in retail, it seems sensible for the first week’s offer to consider whether IT is even important to retailers.Of course, all major retailers need some systems and business process automation in order to function in the modern world. But do they need all the bells and whistles that the IT industry has to offer?In his seminal 2003 article in the Harvard Business Review, Nicholas ...

  • A slow burner

    28-Aug-2007

    After the initial excitement died down, RFID didn’t deliver on its early promises. However, it is steadily attracting attention once again. Joanna Perry asks what retailers are spending money on
Subscribe to magazine for more newsletters - find out more

Job of the week

Ocado

Buying Manager

Negotiable (dependant on experience)

Jobs

Customer Insight Analyst - Retail / FMCG

£28000 - £31000 per annum + Benefits

Account Manager (Online Mobile Retailers) £75k OTE (Nationwide)

£35000 - £50000 per annum + car, bonus (OTE £75k)

Scrum Master

£400 - £500 per day

Start your new career today

Search

Supply Chain

Online retail

Latest news including ecommerce, m-commerce and social media

Read more

Stores Gallery

Stores Gallery

Store format innovations, store design trends and visual merchandising

Read more