Opinion – Page 336
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OpinionJohn Lewis is keeping its head
Which is harder – being a department store best known for its ranges in the execrable home market, or a grocer selling premium food to the middle classes, with a reputation for prices to match?
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OpinionA guide to banishing Pestonitis
Despite the media’s obsession with doom and gloom, there is still plenty to feel optimistic about
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Opinion
Life tastes good at Sainsbury’s
In two weeks’ time it’s Sainsbury’s turn to update, when the grocer issues its fourth-quarter figures.
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Opinion
John Lewis in fashion
John Lewis will dip its toes into the choppy waters of online fashion e-tailing with the launch of its own version of online fashion giant Asos.com.
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Opinion
IT uncovers a promotions gap
The results of a major survey of retail IT directors from around the world shows that many companies have been caught short when it comes to being able to maximise the benefit they get from running promotions.
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Opinion
Landlords should oppose rate rises as well
It’s encouraging to see so many retail heavyweights behind Retail Week’s rates campaign. But one group that’s noticeable for its lack of volume is the landlords.
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Opinion
Without Principles
Last week another store chain hit the outer circle of hell known as administration. This time it was Principles and the news is that the stores are to go, but Debenhams will mop up the stock, keeping the brand alive in its branches - for the time being, at least.
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Opinion
Business rates issue can’t wait
Alistair Darling is a busy man at the moment, so perhaps it’s an achievement in itself that he has responded to Retail Week’s Rate Rage campaign and acknowledged the severe problems that retailers are facing.
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OpinionRetail must play the long game
The free market model certainly has its benefits, but the recession is highlighting its limits too, says Mark Price
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OpinionSir Stuart Rose and Tony Shiret: the dream team?
Tony Shiret caused a stir on Monday with a damning note on Marks & Spencer.
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Opinion
Only well-led retailers will get backing
In testing times it’s human nature to turn to the knowledge and experience of leaders.
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Opinion
Tesco's victory puts the cat among the pigeons
Tesco recorded a landmark victory over the Competition Commission this week, winning its appeal over the proposed competition test in the planning system. Does this throw the other recommendations from the Commission into doubt?
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Opinion
Mosaic pre-pack is a matter of Principles
The news that former Principles co-founder Peter Davies might be forced out of the running to snap up the brand is not good news for the high street.
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Opinion
IT security suffers in downturn
Retailers are getting better at vetting the companies they work with when it comes to protecting their data. While this is important they must remember not to take their eye off the ball close to home.
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Opinion
Councils need to take a bigger hand in boosting the high street
When does a problem for business become a problem for governments? If the business in question is a bank, pretty quickly. But not everyone gets the same treatment as banks.
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Opinion
Don't let the recession overshadow store design priorities
Taking the temperature of the retail design market recently, it was interesting to learn that Selfridges might be looking at its cost base - which retailer isn't? - but is also investing in new areas at its London flagship and at its Manchester branch.
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Opinion
Asda means business in grocers' price war
It's payday, and the big grocers are parking their tanks on each other's lawns as a new front opens in the price war.
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Opinion
Don't write off Fresh & Easy
The weekend story that Tesco had “got it wrong in the US” made for great headlines but didn’t reflect the bigger picture.
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Opinion
A new lease of life for Bhs?
Sir Philip Green’s decision to merge Bhs into Arcadia didn’t grab many headlines this week. Strange really, because while no money might have changed hands this could turn out to be one of the most significant retail tie-ups of the year.
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Opinion
Retailers get channel hopping
More than a decade on from when the internet first began to have an impact on retailers’ businesses, the majority of the UK’s biggest and best retailers now have a multichannel presence.