All Opinion articles
Most recent first.
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Opinion
‘There’s a grim irony in Carpetright’s collapse, but don’t blame founder Lord Harris’
Carpet king Lord Harris built Carpetright, then went into business against it. As Tapi takes control of Carpetright assets from the administrator, some may see Harris as a Brutus figure – but that would be wrong, says George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘The UK is famous for online grocery but where else could retail find talent to export?’
With a shift in consumer needs on the horizon, world-class innovation can play a key part in retailers’ success, argues Lisa Byfield-Green
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Opinion
‘Amazon may have seen off GMB but it can’t afford to be viewed as Dickensian’
The truth is that few, if any, employers can get away with treating warehouse and other retail workers poorly, maintains George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘Nike’s D2C woes highlight the perils of overlooking retailers and their strengths’
Cutting so many retailers out of the supply chain was a classic case of Nike cutting off its nose to spite its face, says George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘Now it’s all about the government’s follow-through on the commitments that matter to retail’
Retailers are ready to help the new government leverage their scale and reach to deliver policy goals that will benefit the industry, our economy and communities, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
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Opinion
‘As Morrisons marks 125 years in business, how many newer retailers will enjoy similar lifespans?’
Retail thrives on the new but the businesses that last longest are founded on principles that never lose their relevance, observes George MacDonald.
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Opinion
‘Retail leaders need new skills to make better decisions about tech’
Upskilling is essential for chief executives and chief financial officers to scrutinise tech strategies with the same rigour they apply to other business areas if they are to balance the needs of the whole, maintains Brian Kalms.
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Opinion
‘Why the next government helping retail is good for the whole country’
A helping hand for retail could benefit many other industries and aspects of public life, argues Lush head of UK and Ireland retail Kasey Swithenbank
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Opinion
‘I’ve been banned from PrettyLittleThing and I won’t be going back’
When an email from PrettyLittleThing popped into my inbox, I thought I was in for a treat. How wrong I was.
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Opinion
‘Election won’t make much difference to blighted town centres like Middlesbrough’
Empty shops, high crime and a lack of opportunity – no wonder retailers have deserted town centres such as Middlesbrough. There are plenty more like it. Sadly, the general election won’t make much of an immediate impact, believes George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘If your retail media strategy is digital-only, you’re doing it wrong. Here’s why’
The buzz around digital is overshadowing the enormous power of in-store media – and that’s a problem, warns Dunnhumby’s Anthony Worssam
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Opinion
‘Quantum leaps in tech are enabling IT to become a genuine business differentiator’
Amid an abundance of technology solutions, the challenge for retailers is not one of opportunity but navigation, maintains Matt Truman
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Opinion
‘Nigel Farage says Shein London IPO is a “very bad idea”. Is he on the money?’
With speculation over Shein’s expected London IPO ongoing, George MacDonald considers why the potential listing has become such a political hot potato
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Opinion
‘In uncertain times, retailers must keep one eye looking beyond the UK’
Rishi Sunak is not right about much, in my opinion. But one thing he said in his speech calling the general election rang true – we live in the “most uncertain of times”.
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Opinion
‘Raise your hand if you too have been victimised by a Sports Direct mug’
A few weeks ago I did something very out of character. I placed an order at Sports Direct.
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Opinion
‘Lack of product availability is a real and present danger to delivering sales growth’
Addressing availability is a big – and pressing – retail opportunity, maintains Matt Coode
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Opinion
‘Brightening retail outlook could create sweet spot for M&A this year’
After a challenging 2023, falling valuations and pent-up demand for deals could spark a revival in retail M&A as economic conditions stabilise, believes Erin Brookes
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Opinion
‘Transformation is hard work but M&S’ impressive turnaround shows the rewards’
Transformation is not for the faint-hearted; it takes a vision and huge amounts of investment and hard work, writes Lisa Byfield-Green. But M&S’ results this week demonstrate that hard work is paying off for the beloved UK institution.
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Opinion
‘In what will likely be a negative campaign, retail must tell a positive story’
With an election date set and the parties going into full campaigning mode, the next six weeks are likely to be dominated by negativity. To cut through the noise, retail must tell its story positively
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Opinion
‘The answer does not lie in data, but in the stores’
Starbucks founder Howard Schultz has made some great points about what lies at the heart of business success. They apply to all of retail, believes George MacDonald