Opinion – Page 7
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Opinion
‘Greater discounting drove Black Friday sales for retailers getting the balance right’
Price reductions need to be significant to lure shoppers at present and managing value perceptions and profitability is a tough line to walk, says Alvarez & Marsal’s Erin Brookes
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Opinion
Peter Williams: ‘Fenwick move from Bond Street is sad but inevitable’
The news that the Fenwick store on Bond Street will be closing in 2024 marks yet another moment in the shrinking of the department store sector.
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Opinion
‘Retail’s recent wave of IPO companies look like beached whales’
The performance of the wave of retail initial public offerings (IPOs) in the past couple of years has been the worst advert imaginable for the industry.
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Opinion
‘In belt-tightening times, prioritising your digital business is critical’
Where should retailers invest for value that can endure beyond this economic downturn? Brian Kalms, managing director at AlixPartners, explores the priority areas
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Opinion
‘Dangerous false economies risk limiting retail’s recovery from challenging period’
You can’t manage a retail business quarter by quarter. Short-termism threatens to inhibit innovation and limit retail’s potential when tough times recede, warns True’s Matt Truman
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Opinion
‘As Next snaps up Joules, expect more retailers to go shopping for distress deals’
The current economic environment means the recent rash of acquisitions could continue, but such deals can turn a crisis into a shared opportunity, writes Retail Week executive editor George MacDonald
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Opinion
‘We must increase automation and robotics to support our workers’
With supply chains struggling under the pressures of a shrinking workforce, perceptions are shifting around the use of automation and robotics. Wincanton chief executive James Wroath makes the case for more technology in the warehouse
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Opinion
‘The retail sector isn’t doomed, but 2023 will be a tough year’
While UK retail is facing historic pressures, the current environment is also throwing up opportunities for business. David Maddison from HSBC gives a banker’s view on the health of the sector
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Opinion
‘Buckle up – as John Lewis and co have warned, it’ll be a bumpy ride this Christmas’
November 25 – a date that, this year, is more significant in the retail calendar than ever
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Opinion
Graham Bell: ‘Retailers have as big a role as government in tackling cost-of-living crisis’
Retailers are undoubtedly operating in an ongoing challenging environment, with consumers facing the challenges of the increased cost of living against the backdrop of a looming recession.
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Opinion
‘The pandemic gave us the staff wellbeing wake-up call we needed’
By helping people be at their best both inside and outside work, we can increase already world-class levels of colleague engagement, believes Currys chief people officer Paula Coughlan
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Opinion
'Be bold - game-changing hires can add real value in a recession'
Cancelling or postponing key appointments is a false economy. Investment in people is a relatively small outlay and can make all the difference, says Clarity founder Fran Minogue
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Opinion
Murray Lambell: 'Retail needs to rewrite the way we do Black Friday'
The notorious Sales event has changed since its inception and no longer lives up to its promise of value, argues eBay UK general manager Murray Lambell
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Opinion
Shirine Khoury-Haq: 'Water security is a climate issue - the food industry must take action'
Co-op chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq, who is participating in COP27 Water Day today, warns that we must recognise the link between water scarcity, how our food is produced and the lack of safe sanitation in poorer nations
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Opinion
'Shein is the epitome of mindless consumption'
Shein is now a major force in the fashion world and should clean up its act, argues Natalie Berg
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Opinion
'Difficult trading conditions offer a good opportunity to accelerate renewal'
While many retailers will approach uncertain conditions by looking to reduce costs and scale back, arbitrarily cutting investment is not a long-term approach, believes Lisa Hooker
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Opinion
'The government cannot move the goalposts on Brexit farming promise'
Specialist online butcher Farmison & Co founder John Pallagi is concerned that moving the goalposts on a key Brexit benefit is bad for farmers and food retailers alike
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Opinion
'Welcome to Web -1.0, where pureplays struggle and stores are stars'
Never mind the metaverse and Web 3.0 – as ecommerce players fall on tougher times, retailers must focus on creating genuinely multichannel models, writes Retail Week executive editor George MacDonald
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Opinion
Murray Lambell: 'Strikes will be the grinch that ruins Christmas for retailers'
We stand ready to help small businesses impacted by postal strikes this golden quarter, says eBay UK boss Murray Lambell
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Opinion
‘Retailers can’t afford to neglect their workforce during golden quarter and beyond’
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens in the run-up to Christmas, the retail workforce could hold the key to survival, says Accenture retail strategy lead for Europe Kelly Askew