All Opinion articles
Most recent first.
-
Opinion‘We need to consider why Shein is a disruptor that delivers more than £1bn in annual UK sales’
Online fashion powerhouse Shein’s success raises uncomfortable questions about consumption, believes Charlotte Hardie
-
Opinion‘Fashion retailers must be wary of customers holding out for lower prices’
Inflation has preoccupied retailers over the last few years but now fashion businesses face new questions as the prospect of deflation looms, warns Erin Brookes
-
Opinion‘One new government bill has sparked more debate and concern among retail leaders than others’
There are legitimate questions to be answered about some of the bills in the King’s Speech, but engagement is key to shape policy, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
-
Opinion‘Lord Rose’s intervention shows that Mohsin Issa has become an albatross around Asda’s neck’
In his hugely successful career, everything Mohsin Issa has touched has turned to gold – until, that is, he bought Asda. Now the harder he works and the more involved he becomes in turning the business around, the further it seems to drift into the doldrums, writes Hugh Radojev
-
Opinion‘The barriers between retail channels are fading and we’re moving into a new era’
The first ecommerce transaction took place three decades ago this month and online went on to revolutionise retail. Shopify’s Deann Evans considers what comes next as retailers move beyond an omnichannel model
-
Opinion‘What should retailers do in response to more riots in the coming days?’
Retailers have prioritised the needs of colleagues during the recent rioting and are working closely with the police and authorities to make use of the latest intelligence, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
-
Opinion‘Riots are one more unwelcome challenge for troubled high streets’
Retailers and residents are acting to put communities back on their feet following widespread rioting. The new government should act quickly to put its town centre pledges into action, believes George MacDonald
-
Opinion‘Everyone is considering what would happen if their area was next for racist riots’
C-stores serve diverse communities and bring people together. It’s shocking that the people running and working in them face the threat of violence during riots in their neighbourhoods, writes Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman
-
Opinion‘Amazon is feeling the heat from Temu – the question is what to do about it’
Amazon’s latest update shows it is at a tipping point, believes Lisa Byfield-Green
-
Opinion‘Department store leadership merry-go-round shows a sector wanting to change’
After a tough time, the remaining top department store players are in a good position to play to their strengths, believes George MacDonald
-
Opinion‘People are starting to feel richer and that should translate into higher retail spending’
The first half of the year may have been challenging but the months to come – including the golden quarter – hold more promise, believes Lisa Hooker
-
Opinion‘US election and England football manager search show importance of succession planning’
High-profile leadership changes in politics and sport hold lessons in succession planning that can help retailers ease the transition from one leader to the next, says Tony Gregg
-
Opinion‘There’s a grim irony in Carpetright’s collapse, but don’t blame founder Lord Harris’
Carpet king Lord Harris built Carpetright, then went into business against it. As Tapi takes control of Carpetright assets from the administrator, some may see Harris as a Brutus figure – but that would be wrong, says George MacDonald
-
Opinion‘The UK is famous for online grocery but where else could retail find talent to export?’
With a shift in consumer needs on the horizon, world-class innovation can play a key part in retailers’ success, argues Lisa Byfield-Green
-
Opinion‘Amazon may have seen off GMB but it can’t afford to be viewed as Dickensian’
The truth is that few, if any, employers can get away with treating warehouse and other retail workers poorly, maintains George MacDonald
-
Opinion‘Nike’s D2C woes highlight the perils of overlooking retailers and their strengths’
Cutting so many retailers out of the supply chain was a classic case of Nike cutting off its nose to spite its face, says George MacDonald
-
Opinion‘Now it’s all about the government’s follow-through on the commitments that matter to retail’
Retailers are ready to help the new government leverage their scale and reach to deliver policy goals that will benefit the industry, our economy and communities, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
-
Opinion‘As Morrisons marks 125 years in business, how many newer retailers will enjoy similar lifespans?’
Retail thrives on the new but the businesses that last longest are founded on principles that never lose their relevance, observes George MacDonald.
-
Opinion‘Retail leaders need new skills to make better decisions about tech’
Upskilling is essential for chief executives and chief financial officers to scrutinise tech strategies with the same rigour they apply to other business areas if they are to balance the needs of the whole, maintains Brian Kalms.
-
Opinion‘Why the next government helping retail is good for the whole country’
A helping hand for retail could benefit many other industries and aspects of public life, argues Lush head of UK and Ireland retail Kasey Swithenbank