All articles by Richard Hyman
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OpinionOpinion: Christmas trading statements? Take them with a pinch of salt
In the mid-1980s, the UK retail landscape was very different. Aldi had yet to open here. Having conquered much of continental Europe, Ikea was just starting to eye Britain.
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VideoFrasers Schmasers – will Sports Direct rebrand make any difference?
As Sports Direct unveils plans for a group rebrand to Frasers, retail adviser Richard Hyman and Retail Week head of content Grace Bowden discuss whether a new name will have any impact on how the business is perceived by brands or shoppers.
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OpinionRichard Hyman: Home is an expensive distraction for fashion retailers
As a throng of fashion retailers push into homewares, retail expert Richard Hyman argues they are chasing fool’s gold and should stick to the knitting.
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OpinionOpinion: Bigger margins are not always better
UK retailing is now entrenched in a trend of declining profitability, though many – particularly the investment and landlord communities – remain in denial.
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OpinionRichard Hyman: The Black Friday drug is killing retailers
Black Friday kicks off the last lap in the trading year.
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AnalysisCoast lost its way but finds good home in Karen Millen
Coast’s rescue by Karen Millen is a family affair with one bigger, stronger sibling taking over its ailing sister.
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OpinionOpinion: Spotting winners in the new retail market
Last November I began listing distressed retailers. I could already see then I would need a record to keep track of the growing number.
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OpinionOpinion: When it comes to retail, size isn't everything
Is big still beautiful? Many appear to think so. The financial community are obvious fans.
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OpinionOpinion: Focus on selling well, not price, to survive
It’s only March and we can already see the pressure mounting across retail. The list of distress is already long enough – Mothercare, New Look, Toys R Us, Maplin.
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OpinionOpinion: Surviving 2018 will require vision and courage
No one will be sorry to see the back of 2017. It’s been the toughest year I have ever seen and I’ve yet to meet a senior retailer who would disagree.
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OpinionOpinion: Next's Tesco tie-up hard to fathom
The news that Next’s shop-in-shop trial in the Surrey Quays Tesco is the biggest surprise since the retailer announced its Black Friday Sale.
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OpinionOpinion: The negative effects of leadership changes
While management changes are necessary, replacing a leader can be difficult and disruptive. Finding the right leader to navigate through a changed industry is another battle altogether.
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OpinionOpinion: Retailers urgently need to invest, not cut
We are at the beginning of the crunch period in retail history. The critical indicators are all there.
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OpinionOpinion: Making sense of retail’s Christmas updates
What are we to make of the Christmas trading statements? And what are we to make of the latest Office for National Statistics numbers for December?
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OpinionOpinion: The diminishing importance of scale
Remember the days when retail was all about scale?
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OpinionOpinion: Higher prices and squeezing suppliers won’t help retail performance
I have never known such uncertainty permeating the industry in more than 30 years. It makes for short-termism and muddy thinking.
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OpinionOpinion: Retailers must treat staff as an asset, not a cost
Retail is making some very uncomfortable headlines, and I’m sure I’m far from alone in feeling a mix of sadness, despair and resentment.
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OpinionOpinion: Retail is paying the price of ongoing structural change
However challenging last year may have been, this year is going to be tougher as retailers continue to compete on price promotions.
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OpinionRetail leaders need new strategies to challenge the competitive market
As the market grows ever more challenging, the retail industry needs more leaders with strategies focused on driving sales.
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OpinionComment: The real picture of retail is not as rosy as it looks
The retail industry has never been so focused on price, and as interest rates rise it will force businesses to be more dynamic.