All Opinion articles
Most recent first.
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Opinion
‘Recent retail volatility has created M&A bargains’
The stock market’s lacklustre interest in retail is beginning to reflect in bid activity from investors attracted by some extremely low valuations, observes Matt Truman
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Opinion
‘Would London celebrate or shun a potential Shein IPO?’
A London listing by online fashion giant Shein would be a blockbuster arrival on an ailing stock exchange. But would the City welcome it with open arms or turn its back?
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Opinion
‘Body Shop shows standing still is the most dangerous thing you can do in retail’
Retailers such as Lush and Rituals show the kind of mentality that bricks-and-mortar retailers need, by giving customers an experience they can’t get on a screen, maintains Natalie Berg.
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Opinion
‘Currys shareholders should hold out for a valuation that reflects long-term prospects’
For pretty much as long as China’s economic star has been in the ascendant, there has been speculation that one of its new generation of digital retail powerhouses might move to swoop on a venerable UK name.
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Opinion
‘We may be on the cusp of emerging from a final act of austerity’
There could well be light at the end of the tunnel for retailers, believes OC&C’s Matt Coode
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Opinion
‘The Body Shop’s plunge into administration leaves a bad smell’
The early new year often brings retail administrations, and so it has sadly proved for The Body Shop’s UK business.
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Opinion
‘We need a government that offers business leaders a seat at the table’
Retail needs to see joined-up government thinking that understands you cannot increase costs from every angle all at once, says the BRC’s Helen Dickinson
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Opinion
‘Back-to-office commands will drive talented people to your rivals’
Relations between employers and employees over the right to flexible working are showing signs of strain, observes Tony Gregg
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Opinion
‘The Tories have a major problem with business and Walker’s defection proves it’
The Iceland boss’ damning indictment of the Conservatives and endorsement of Labour may be polarising in and of themselves, but it highlights the depth of the government’s business troubles as it limps into an election year.
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Opinion
‘Positive signs hint at upturn in retailers’ fortunes as the year progresses’
PwC’s Lisa Hooker unpicks the messages from retail’s golden quarter
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Opinion
‘Walmart’s closing its tech incubation hub – and that might be a good sign’
On the face of it, shutting down a technology incubation unit, as Walmart is doing, looks a bit Jurassic Park in its thinking.
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Opinion
‘Big changes at Sainsbury's hint at next strategic phase’
As Sainsbury’s prepares for a strategy update to the City at the start of next month, some big developments hint at what may be expected
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Opinion
‘The real superpower of Gen-AI? Putting the customer at the heart of retail’
‘The rise of generative AI means that the relationship between retailers and their customers could become unrecognisable from anything seen previously, McKinsey experts believe
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Opinion
‘Christmas shows the grocers’ relentless focus on price is hurting the discounters’
While Aldi and Lidl both enjoyed their best-ever Christmases, the even stronger performance of the supermarkets shows the empire is striking back.
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Opinion
‘Boss Stuart Machin pumps up the volumes at Marks & Spencer’
A focus on volumes and what drives them helped Marks & Spencer take a place on the Christmas winners’ podium and will mark out retail’s winners more generally, writes George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘Retail updates so far offer reasons to be cheerful in the new year’
As the Christmas decorations start to come down, the retail trading statements have started to flood in.
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Opinion
Predictions: who will be retail’s winners and losers in 2024?
Who will fly and who will flop in 2024? Retail experts give their tips for the year ahead
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Opinion
‘Not just for Christmas: retail’s season of goodwill lasts all year’
Retailers may make a lot of their money at Christmas, but for them, the season of goodwill lasts all year round as they contribute in a wealth of ways to the communities and consumers they serve.
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Opinion
‘The retail industry was largely sold out by the chancellor’
While the dust has settled on the chancellor’s autumn statement, the frustration felt by many retailers has not, says BRC boss Helen Dickinson
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Opinion
‘Could AI-generated consumers shine a light on shoppers of the future?’
AI can be transformative but will only deliver a return on investment when harnessed with human intelligence, says Brian Kalms