Eleanor Smith
Eleanor Smith is an analytical journalist at Retail Week, focusing on financial and data analysis content. Eleanor joined from AO.com and previously spent three years as a research analyst working closely with the senior management team on propositional and technical developments for both its ecommerce and logistics undertakings.
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DataCoronavirus Consumer Pulse: Online traffic rebounds after face mask rule
Amid the coronavirus crisis, it has arguably never been more important, nor more difficult, for retailers to understand their customers.
- Analysis
Marketplace melee: Amazon vs eBay vs Shopify – who won in the pandemic?
Retail Week examines the three big marketplaces’ second-quarter results to understand who traded best over the tumultuous coronavirus lockdown period.
- Data
Employment tracker: Job cuts accelerate in 2020 as Covid-19 batters retail
Retail job losses have accelerated in 2020 as the coronavirus crisis batters the sector.
- Analysis
Analysis: Has Ocado’s ecommerce promise failed to deliver during coronavirus?
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic totally reshaping the way people shop for groceries and pushing hundreds of thousands of consumers online, how has the UK’s only pureplay grocer really fared in lockdown?
- Data
Data: New forecasts for the post-pandemic retail landscape
New data from Edge by Ascential shows a vastly changed outlook for retail channels across the UK as the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically altered the retail landscape and consumer spending habits.
- Analysis
Data: Grocery out-of-stocks edge down as stockpiling eases
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, data from Edge by Ascential shows that grocery retailers are starting to see more stable demand spread out throughout the week, helping them to better manage their online stock levels.
- Data
Data: What search trends reveal about shopping in lockdown
As the retail industry edges slowly towards the resumption of business, online search data shows UK search habits have dramatically changed since the lockdown began. As well as seeking out essential goods, consumers have made the most of forced time at home to take up new hobbies and DIY projects.
- Analysis
Data: Grocery promotional activity returns as availabilities stabilise
As the UK enters its seventh week of coronavirus lockdown, some grocers have cautiously introduced price promotions, but multibuys remain a thing of the past amid fears of stockpiling.
- Analysis
Data: Grocery supply chains stretched by a second wave of stockpiling
As the UK enters its sixth week of lockdown, evidence has emerged of a second phase of consumers stocking up on essential items that may have run low over the last month.
- Analysis
Data: Grocers remain challenged by high shopper demand for essential products
As the UK enters its fifth week of the coronavirus lockdown, sustained consumer demand for everyday and store-cupboard essentials remains a challenge to the grocers and their suppliers.
- Analysis
Data: Shopper demand for Easter weekend groceries outstrips supply
As the coronavirus lockdown continues into its fourth week, there are signs that shopper demand and retailer supply is beginning to stabilise. Many retailers have now relaxed their item limits for customers shopping online and in-store.
- Analysis
Data: Grocery stock levels stabilise but some unavailabilities grow
The huge efforts by the UK grocers and their suppliers are helping to bring out-of-stock levels under control, but there is still work to do. The latest data from Edge by Ascential shows unavailabilities across some categories increased over the past week and disparities between the ability of supermarkets to ...
- Analysis
Data: Supply chain challenges start to ease as grocers step up to feed the nation
The enormous efforts made by grocers and their supply chain partners over the past week are helping to bring stock levels under control. Over the last two to three days in particular, the situation has shown signs of easing, according to the latest availability figures from Edge by Ascential.
- Analysis
Data: How online demand has changed since coronavirus lockdown
As Next and TK Maxx suspend online operations, the latest data shows the UK’s online spending habits have shifted since the coronavirus lockdown began and are now skewed towards essential provisions and the home, garden and electricals categories.
- Analysis
Data: Grocery out-of-stocks surge tenfold as bulk-buying intensifies
Figures from Edge by Ascential demonstrate the unprecedented demand that UK grocers have faced over the past month, as shopper behaviour has moved from top-up shopping to bulk-buying and stockpiling. This has led to high levels of out-of-stocks across ambient grocery, soap and household essentials.
- Analysis
Data analysis: Opportunities and challenges for department stores
As John Lewis embarks upon a strategic review of its business and coronavirus hammers department store sales, Retail Week takes a deeper dive to investigate the challenges and opportunities across the UK department store sector.
- Analysis
Data: The UK’s 15 most improved retailers for gender pay equality
Retail Week ranks the top-performing and most improved UK retailers for gender pay equality.
- Analysis
Data: John Lewis results and what they mean for strategy
John Lewis Partnership is embarking on a strategic review under new chair Dame Sharon White after reporting “weaker profit than hoped for”. What does that mean for the department stores business and what can be expected over the next few years?
- Analysis
Data: Grocery growth accelerates as shoppers stock up amid coronavirus fears
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show grocery spend in the 12 weeks to February 23 was up 0.7% year on year as consumers stocked up on essentials amid fears over coronavirus.
- Analysis
Analysis: As supermarkets cut counters are they playing into discounters’ hands?
First Asda and now Tesco are cutting roles at bakeries and food counters, so are the days of such supermarket services numbered? Retail Week considers whether such changes will work or play into the discounters’ hands.
