All Opinion articles
Most recent first.
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Opinion‘RIP John Sainsbury – one of Britain’s greatest ever retailers’
Following the death of legendary retailer Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, Shore Capital’s Clive Black pays tribute to a man who changed the grocery and retail landscape
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Opinion
‘Maybe it’s Terry Smith who’s lost the plot – Unilever’s sustainability focus is logical, not ludicrous’
The Fundsmith founder has criticised the extent of Unilever’s sustainability agenda, but investors need to get with the programme or be left behind, writes Luke Tugby.
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Opinion
‘Retailers achieved the incredible during Covid – imagine what we can do next’
If 2020 was a year of destruction, then 2021 was one of reconstruction and progress. But 2022 will put this to the test, warns BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion
‘How green can retailers become and still turn a profit?’
Over the past few years there has been a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour with people becoming more conscious about what they buy and how they shop.
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Opinion
‘Five key themes will drive success in fashion and retail in 2022’
Given its exposure to the ebbs and flows of Covid-19, the fashion industry has been a useful bellwether for the wider retail landscape.
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Opinion
‘This Christmas may not be normal but it will still be merry, thanks to retailers’ prowess’
Asked about the outlook for Christmas, retailers always like to reply: “It will be on December 25.”
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Opinion
‘As Boohoo warns on profits, the disruptors are increasingly looking like the disrupted’
While online powerhouse Boohoo’s ethical credentials have prompted fierce criticism, its operational prowess and consumer appeal have rarely been in question.
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Opinion
‘The mismatch between valuations and anticipated performance has never looked so wide’
As we sit at the beginning of December, there are many conflicting industry drivers for retail, which when combined lead to significant ambiguity moving into 2022.
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Opinion
‘Omicron and Plan B are a hammer blow for the West End’s Christmas recovery’
After the optimism of November that saw West End footfall rise above pre-pandemic levels for the first time, the steady drizzle of Covid restrictions and warnings has dampened any Christmas spirit, writes Jace Tyrell of New West End Company.
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Opinion
‘There is still room not only to survive but thrive in an Amazon-dominated world’
Ask any UK retail exec or investor what keeps them awake at night and sooner or later they will mention Amazon.
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Opinion
‘Agility and breadth of experience most desired traits in refreshed retail boardrooms’
The weeks leading up to Christmas are usually a quiet time in the jobs market as retailers fix their focus on Christmas trading and decisions over recruitment are deferred until January.
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Opinion
‘What if everyone is wrong about the metaverse?’
Some unconvinced commentators see the metaverse as the tech industry’s attempt to conjure up the next big thing, says OC&C Strategy Consultants’ Michael Jary.
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Opinion
‘Tesco strike action will have other grocers fearing their own nightmare before Christmas’
While the spreading strike action at Tesco distribution centres is currently only affecting the UK’s largest grocer, the other supermarket chains will be watching on in fear
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Opinion
‘If Boots is on the block, Tesco and Murphy look primed to swoop’
Walgreens Boots Alliance is thought to be seeking a buyer for its UK business – and Tesco could provide the perfect suitor, writes Retail Week editor Luke Tugby
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Opinion
Move of the Week: McDonnell climbs ranks to Lidl GB top spot
The news that Ryan McDonnell will replace Christian Härtnagel as boss of Lidl GB will have come as no great shock to anyone familiar with the retailer’s recruitment strategy.
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Opinion
M&S’ Cleo Thompson: ‘Disability matters – let’s stop ignoring it’
It has been cited that there are more clothing lines available for dogs than there are clothes designed for disabled humans. As the world marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, M&S group head of inclusion and diversity Cleo Thompson asks: “Haven’t we got our priorities wrong somewhere?”
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Opinion
‘Isla’s Inditex legacy is that the business is bigger than him’
Nobody is bigger than the business, it’s often said, and the test of great companies is that they continue to perform when leadership changes.
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Opinion
‘Retailers must rethink their supply chain strategy for the long term’
The supply chain challenges currently facing the retail sector have been well documented, but taking a longer view of the situation is crucial, says Erin Brookes, managing director for European retail and consumer at Alvarez & Marsal.
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Opinion
Katie Bickerstaffe: 'This year, back-to-the-floor means packing online orders for M&S HQ staff'
Over the past 18 months, we have seen five to seven years’ worth of change in this industry, so we’ve had to change, to be bolder, braver, and more committed to reshaping M&S.
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Opinion
‘Store staff are now fulfilment experts, customer service agents and ecomm specialists’
Despite headlines touting the end of bricks-and-mortar retail in the era of ecommerce, earlier this year it was reported that Amazon - one of the world’s biggest retailers – plans to open a department store.
