Hi Reader, Back in 2011, following the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan by the police, the racial circumstances sparked major riots across the UK. But it seemed that the initial cause was forgotten, and uncalled-for aggression and lawlessness took over. Unfortunately, those memories have once again been reignited as new riots spill across the country - a new issue but the same effect. But political and cultural discussion aside, these represent a major disruption for retailers. There are...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, The Olympics are well underway now and plenty of brands are jumping on the hype and marketing train. From luxury retailers to cosmetics companies, from food brands through to underwear, and of course supermarkets and the inevitable sports brands are also focused on the trading opportunities. While the athletes are striving for their gold medals, this moment represents the pinnacle of years of training and preparation. In retail, the annual peak season represents our pinnacle. For...
5 months ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, A compendium of stories awaits you in this week's Retail Transformation Briefing. Did you know - you can get more info and perspective on all of the stories in The Retail Show podcast - it's the new sister show for my existing podcast and perhaps is the perfect way to help you stay up to speed with the ever-evolving world of retail. So be sure to tune in this is the perfect show for commuting, at the gym, walking the dog, doing the dishes or whatever you do when listening to...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Today marks the second and final day of Amazon's Prime Day promotion. Sales are forecast to hit a record $14 billion over the two days of the promotion, an increase of over 10% from last year's event. So it's set to break new records and, of course, continue Amazon's massive growth trajectory over the long term. However, as (and if) the final numbers come out, it will be interesting to see if these forecasts are accurate and use them as a bellwether or indicator for how consumer...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, With the UK’s general election now over, the new government looks to get to work to fulfil the promises and vision that has been laid out. There are many aspects of Labour’s manifesto for change, and as part of that, there are some elements which impact or adjust the retail sector, including: Business rates reform Improving working conditions for all people Reducing the risk of violent assault on frontline store colleagues Improving consumer spending And much more. In the latest...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Have you checked out my new podcast, The Retail Show? The second episode is waiting for you now, full of insights about the latest retail news. Be sure to subscribe to tune in every week to dive deeper into the ever-evolving retail sector. Each show will be made up of segments, so it's fast-paced and with plenty of ground covered. This week's episode includes 3 segments: 📰 News You Can Use - a review of the key headlines with additional perspective and actionable points to take...
6 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, I'm thrilled to announce a major milestone—300 episodes of the Retail Transformation Show podcast! Your support and engagement have been key to this incredible journey, filled with insightful discussions, expert interviews, and valuable content tailored to help navigate the ever-evolving retail landscape. To further enhance your experience, we're launching a new podcast: The Retail Show. This podcast is designed to help you stay up to speed with the rapidly evolving industry. The...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, In the UK, inflation has fallen to its lowest point in three years, with official numbers for May recording a 2% increase over the past year. This trend in the UK mirrors similar patterns in other established countries like the USA, Canada, Germany, and France. Yet, significant portions of the world are still experiencing higher inflation rates, although they, too, are generally on the decline. However, many consumers remain cautious, and price continues to be a key factor in...
6 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Walmart is making a major move for electronic shelf edge labels (ESEL), and they're just one of the many retailers taking the plunge into this technology right now. ESEL technology has been around for a while now but has only recently reached a stage where retailers can easily prove the business case and justify the investment. Original digital price tags were simply capable of automatically updating prices, and the business case was typically built from labour savings of not...
7 months ago • 4 min read