Ian Middleton
Ian Middleton is managing director of VegaModa
OpinionIan Middleton: ‘Covid is a wake-up call for retailers and politicians alike’
The pandemic has had a massive impact on our industry, perhaps greater than many others. But it can’t be blamed entirely for the way things are unwinding on our high streets and in our shopping centres.
- Opinion
Opinion: Time for a reset of retail rent and rates
In 2015 I closed the last of my stores due to spiralling property costs. There’s not a day since that I haven’t missed them.
- Opinion
Opinion: Coronavirus – government must give retailers respect they deserve
I’ve been a huge fan of apocalyptic films and TV shows since I was a teenager. With Covid-19 we seem to have come the closest to life imitating fiction with just as many twists in the tale.
- Opinion
Opinion: I’m running for Parliament to fight for retailers
They say it’s third time lucky and I’ll be testing that theory to breaking point on December 12 as I stand for Parliament for the third consecutive time.
- Opinion
Opinion: How retail has changed over the past 10 years
As I sat down to write this column it dawned on me that next month is my 10th anniversary as a Retail Week columnist.
- Opinion
Opinion: Token gestures cost less than rent and rates reform
Last year’s announcement of yet another high street taskforce had me channelling the cultural icon that is Brenda from Bristol as I shouted across the office “What, another one??!!”.
- Opinion
Opinion: Consumers want the human touch, not touchscreens
If you’ve been watching TV of late, you’ll likely have seen the Microsoft AI advert where an actor makes ambitious claims about “ay-aah”.
- Opinion
Opinion: Ethical consumerism has gone from fad to mainstream
Another Veganuary is upon us, where those who know the difference between a vegan and a Venusian try to add more of the green side to their diet for at least a month.
- Opinion
Opinion: Retailers should be political – if they mean it
It’s been an interesting few weeks in the world of conscious consumerism.
- Opinion
Opinion: How to survive the crisis on the high street
Three years ago, I gave a talk called ‘Is There Life After The High Street?’ about what I thought the future of retail would look like and why I withdrew my company Argenteus from physical retail in favour of online.
- Opinion
Bankruptcy bug is starting to look like an epidemic
The phrase ‘dropping like flies’ has been often on my lips as we witness one retail collapse after another and watch others staggering into intensive care.
- Opinion
Opinion: Retailers are waking up to veganism
Another January has rolled around, along with all those resolutions that are usually forgotten by Valentine’s Day.
- Opinion
Opinion: Government's rates gravy train will rumble on
This is traditionally the time of year to look back at issues that have featured in the world of retail over the past 12 months. This year I thought I’d also highlight a few that we may need to look out for in 2018.
- Opinion
Opinion: Oxford’s Westgate will be a disappointment
Appropriately in the city of dreaming spires, the £440m Westgate centre extension in Oxford has been a vision of retailers, developers and city councillors for over 20 years.
- Opinion
Opinion: Retail needs a rethink amid consumer fatigue
I know there have already been many commentators holding forth on the outcome of the general election, but as a candidate for the second time in two years, I felt I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.
- Opinion
Opinion: Supplier attitudes to etail are out of date
In my early years as a market trader, I always had a question that tentatively preceded any conversations with prospective suppliers.
- Opinion
Opinion: Rates burden may force retailers online
Another Budget and another raft of bolt-on, quick-fix, placatory afterthoughts to prop up the creaking, outdated system of business rates.
- Opinion
Opinion: How business rates reform is a blow for retail
I always get a feeling of déjà vu when I start to write something about business rates, and this occasion is no exception.
- Opinion
Opinion: Company culture, not body searches, can combat staff pilfering
There were evident differences between the recent appearances of Mike Ashley and Sir Philip Green before a parliamentary inquiry.
