Robert Gregory
- Analysis
Analysis: Costco pins sales growth hopes on store opening programme
Costco, the world’s largest warehouse club operator, revealed a strong store opening pipeline for 2017 as it unveiled its full-year figures.
- News
Analysis: Walmart cuts delivery times as it ups ante in battle with Amazon
Walmart has cut the delivery time of its ShippingPass scheme from three days to two as it looks to claw back ground on Amazon.
- Analysis
Analysis: Walmart's US momentum can be replicated overseas
Walmart described its fourth quarter performance as “solid”, reflecting its momentum in the US, while overseas provided more of a headache.
- News
International analysis: Jumbo Foodmarkt takes a fresh approach to grocery
Dutch retailer Jumbo, the second largest grocery operator in the Netherlands, is gaining attention for its new Foodmarkt fascia.
- Analysis
Analysis: Walmart closures show quest for simplification and efficiency
Walmart has announced a spate of store closures across the globe, a move that will primarily impact its US and Latin American operations.
- Analysis
How will Walgreens Boots Alliance benefit from Rite Aid acquisition?
Walgreens Boots Alliance’s $17.2bn (£11.1bn) move to buy rival Rite Aid means it will establish itself as the world’s second-largest retailer.
- Analysis
Walmart warning over profits and sales growth as ecommerce investments bite
Profit predictions might have been downgraded, but behind Walmart’s forecast is solid investment in its etail buisness. Here Planet Retail analyses the numbers.
- Analysis
International analysis: Walmart throws down the gauntlet to Amazon
With Walmart launching a subscription service to rival Amazon Prime, we are finally seeing how serious it is about expanding ecommerce.
- Analysis
International news analysis: Spar concept uses cafe concessions for growth
Spar’s latest concept store in Dublin uses a combination of fresh food offers and third-party food concessions to increase sales.
- Opinion
Comment: Carrefour and Walmart reveal complexity of Indian market
India’s underdeveloped modern retail sector seemed to present the perfect investment – but expansion has not proved so simple for retailers.
- Opinion
Comment: Amazon’s Firefly sets the stage for next etail battleground
Not content with selling you everything from a Gangsta Rap colouring book to canned unicorn meat (yes, really), Amazon has revealed the latest step in its journey towards world domination.
- Opinion
Comment: In-store tech must offer shoppers benefits they can’t get on a phone
Planet Retail global research director Rob Gregory warns that jumping on the in-store technology bandwagon needs careful consideration.
- Opinion
Comment: Will 2014 be the year that 3D printing becomes mainstream in retail?
With 2013 done and dusted, how will history judge it? If you were to believe the avalanche of end-of-year reviews that came our way, the only things worth remembering about it were selfies and onesies.
- Opinion
Comment: Blockbuster has run its course on the high street
The final credits have seemingly rolled for Blockbuster on both sides of the Atlantic. The UK chain has entered administration again - the second time in 12 months.
- Opinion
Comment: Walmart, Tesco and Carrefour can bring expertise to India
While the UK was basking in the recent heat wave, I decided to visit monsoon-soaked Mumbai to tour stores and meet those ‘in the know’.
- Opinion
Comment: Direct-to-consumer sites need to communicate the benefits
Poor old brands. Once they held the upper hand over retailers, now they are fighting a constant battle to get their products on store shelves.
- Opinion
Comment: Are joint store concepts the way foward?
Exciting news from Japan, where two of the country’s leading retailers are teaming up to launch a joint store concept.
- Opinion
Comment: Retailers should not rest on their laurels
One of the key challenges facing any retailer today is how to keep track, and ideally stay ahead of, shoppers and a retail landscape that seem to change at an ever-faster pace.
- Opinion
The unpredictable world of retail
Retail can sometimes be pretty predictable. Significant events such as market entries or exits, new launches or promotions, or changes to trading performance are often flagged up in advance.
- Opinion
Tesco Value makes way for Tesco Everyday Value
So, Tesco Value, the iconic economy private-label launched in 1993, will soon be no more.