All Retail Week articles in October 9, 2009 – Page 4
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OpinionRivals’ inroads haven’t done Tesco much harm
Sir Terry Leahy may be many things, but he isn’t known for being a ray of sunshine in the industry. So it was interesting to see him cutting a more bullish figure about recovery prospects this week than others like Sir Stuart Rose and Simon Wolfson have been.
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NewsMarks & Spencer poised for online expansion to hit etail targets
Marks & Spencer is expected to reveal online expansion plans on Tuesday, when it is holding a strategy day for investors.
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NewsNational postal strike threat plagues etailers
A national postal strike would be “devastating” for some home shopping firms and local strikes in progress have already caused problems, retailers warned.
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NewsTJ Hughes results spur expansion plan
Discount department store operator TJ Hughes is pushing ahead with expansion after it reported turnover increased 9.1% to £261.3m in the year to January 31.
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OpinionIPOs will face an inquisition
After all the feverish speculation of the past few weeks, there is now little doubt that a raft of retailers is preparing to float in the new year.
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AnalysisFamily-run retailers
Some of the best performing retailers in this tough economic climate are family-run. Joanna Perry asks what gives their businesses the extra edge.
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Analysis
Retail IT Summit: Retail’s united front
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.
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OpinionPoliticians need to play the long game
“Nice idea, but you’re a dreamer if you think it’ll ever come off.” The words of one Government official to me in a recent meeting.
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NewsIndustry mourns Keith Wills
Keith Wills, one of the leading retail analysts of his generation and long-standing contributor to Retail Week, has died after a long illness.
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Analysis
What it’s like to work at Qvc
The inside view from human resources director Frank Robinson.
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AnalysisNeed to know: Postal strikes
The result of a ballot on a national postal strike was expected as Retail Week went to press, but retailers have already been hit by a wave of local strikes.
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News
Manufacturers sign to product reviews network
Reevoo has added consumer electronics brands Toshiba, Hotpoint and Sharp to its network of retailers and suppliers who use its service to publish product reviews on their sites.
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OpinionRetail surgery: Voice recognition systems
Customers complain about the voice recognition system they must use to contact our call centre. We introduced it to improve customer experience – where are we going wrong?
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OpinionTwitter.com/Twelpforce
Best Buy has a reputation for excellent customer service and online savvy that has its UK rivals worried even before its debut here next year. Some of its efforts in social media are examples of both.
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NewsBorders secures gadget tie-up in non-book drive
Struggling Borders UK’s non-book products, including toys, gifts and snacks, are poised to account for half the bookseller’s sales after signing a tie-up with gadget retailer Red5.
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NewsB&Q wins landlord concession to cut rent on seven larger stores
B&Q has secured a 10% reduction in rents for seven of its warehouse-format stores in a deal with landlord British Land.
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NewsHabitat chief puts date on profitability return
New Habitat chief executive Mark Saunders expects to return the furniture and homewares chain to profitability within three years.
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NewsGeorge claims top spot in clothing market share
Asda’s George has seized the top spot in clothing market share, delivering managing director Anthony Thompson’s target to take first place 18 months early.
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NewsGrocery giants upbeat on recovery prospects
Tesco and Sainsbury’s chiefs gave hope to the high street in the run-up to Christmas with rare optimism that the UK is recovering from the slump that has undermined consumer sentiment.
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NewsJJB equity issue to raise £100m
JJB Sports is to launch a £100m equity issue in the latest phase of its turnaround battle following its CVA earlier this year.