Stephen Springham
OpinionOpinion: Why a retail boost from the summer of sport is a media myth
Brexit has sadly triumphed over the summer of sport, at least in terms of analysing how our spending patterns are being impacted.
OpinionInternational analysis: Walmart wakes up to a new retail reality
Slowly but surely, the world’s largest retailer is waking up to a new retail reality and is building strong foundations for future prosperity.
AnalysisInternational news analysis: Is Black Friday a Thanksgiving turkey?
Black Friday sales figures in America have declined from previous years. So is it unwise to put too much stock in the retail event?
AnalysisInternational news analysis: Walmart's health is improving
The world’s largest retailer - Walmart - returned to comp growth (0.5%) in Q3, the first time it has been in positive territory in nearly two years.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Can BIM make a sucess of the supermarket format?
Can Turkish hard discount giant and market leader BIM make a success of its forthcoming supermarket format?
AnalysisInternational analysis: Are Walmart's flat sales cause for celebration?
Walmart officially beat sales expectations in its second quarter last week. Do these figures fly in the face of a market that was expecting a comp decline?
AnalysisInternational analysis: Kroger blazes a trail in first quarter
Kroger continues to separate itself from the pack. The US grocer’s 4.6% gain in identical store sales in the first quarter put to shame the 0.1% decline turned in by Walmart US.
OpinionComment: Can B&M Bargains become the European Dollar General?
Seeking inspiration from the US and growth from Europe, B&M Bargains is clearly ‘thinking global’ as it prepares for its forthcoming IPO.
AnalysisWalmart tests four schemes that could shape its future strategy
After a tempestuous fourth quarter, Walmart’s first-quarter results out last week were very much the lull after the storm.
AnalysisInternational news: Best Buy sets itself an ambitious to-do list
Best Buy’s fiscal year update hinted at the much-needed turnaround on which chief executive Hubert Joly set his sights when he joined.
AnalysisInternational news analysis: Leclerc in prime position to overtake Carrefour
Market leadership in France is poised to change hands for the first time in a generation. Independent operator Leclerc is poised to overtake rival Carrefour later this year.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Walmart plans to make Sam’s Club its Chinese star
Walmart’s track record in China has been mixed - rapid expansion of Supercenters has been followed by retrenchment and reappraisal.
NewsInternational analysis: Walmart’s new boss will have his work cut out
One of the highest-profile jobs in retail will soon change hands, with Doug McMillon appointed to succeed Mike Duke at the helm of Walmart.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Carrefour third-quarter results hint at upturn
Carrefour’s third-quarter figures raised eyebrows for the right reasons, not least because they marked a return to like-for-like growth in the French giant’s domestic market for the first time in more than two years.
NewsInternational analysis: Walmart sticks to strategy despite missing sales target
Walmart has failed to achieve its own results guidance for the second consecutive quarter.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Will Walmart acquire Hong Kong’s Park n Shop?
Hong Kong-based conglomerate AS Watson has confirmed it is conducting a strategic review of grocery retail business Park n Shop (PnS).
OpinionComment: Fears Walmart had cried wolf realised
After the horror show of the first quarter, Walmart had so much to prove domestically in the second quarter. And it has again come up short.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Are Alliance Boots and Walgreens a good match?
News that Walgreens has introduced Boots’ No7 men’s skincare products across its estate in the US marks a step closer towards an exchange of marriage vows between the two health and beauty giants.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Kroger plans to accelerate growth with new strategy
On the back of another quarter of solid trading, US supermarket giant Kroger has added colour to its various investment initiatives.
AnalysisInternational analysis: Target suffers disappointing first quarter
Target can now be added to the list of US general merchandise retailers, which already includes Walmart, JC Penney and Kohl’s, whose first-quarter results disappointed.