All articles by Alison Clements

  • Olympic Stadium
    Analysis

    Analysis: Olympic legacy for supply chain

    2012-10-23T07:00:00Z

    New supply chain ideas tried out at the London 2012 Olympics could change the way retailers operate in the UK. Alison Clements finds out what lessons have been learnt.

  • Tourist spend is being fuelled by visitors from China and Southeast Asia
    Analysis

    How to attract international shoppers

    2012-05-14T07:00:00Z

    As a big summer of tourism approaches, Alison Clements finds out why the UK has such appeal to international shoppers, what they like to buy and how retailers can attract them.

  • Retailers can consolidate loads or use alternative methods of transport to cut supply chain costs
    Analysis

    Driving logistics efficiency

    2012-03-26T07:00:00Z

    Faced with the challenge of cutting costs, supply chain teams should scrutinise logistics efficiency because even small changes can bring big savings. Alison Clements reports.

  • A lack of IT skills is a key challenge for many businesses
    Analysis

    IT’s quest for talent

    2012-03-13T07:00:00Z

    From ecommerce to systems architecture, good-quality IT staff can be a nightmare to find. Alison Clements finds out how this is affecting retail and what can be done.

  • Topshop
    Analysis

    How can IT drive international expansion?

    2012-03-13T07:00:00Z

    How can retailers expanding into new international territories ensure sales aren’t hampered by IT headaches? Alison Clements reports on how EPoS systems can be rolled out globally.

  • The structure of IT teams is changing as technology extends into every part of the business
    Analysis

    The IT director’s changing role

    2012-03-13T07:00:00Z

    As technology creeps into every aspect of modern retailing, the role of the IT team has grown. Alison Clements considers how IT management should be structured in order to get the best results.

  • Chip and PIN was expensive to implement but was worth the teething trouble
    Analysis

    Speeding up the spending process

    2012-02-24T00:00:00Z

    As customers demand choice in payments, do retailers that ignore self-service, contactless payment and a host of online transaction options risk losing sales? Alison Clements reports.

  • Overambition can result in warehouse problems
    Analysis

    Averting warehouse disasters

    2012-02-20T07:00:00Z

    Warehouse malfunctions can prove catastrophic for a retailer’s sales and reputation. So how can the risk of problems occurring be minimised? Alison Clements investigates.

  • deliveryvan
    Analysis

    Time to bring delivery home

    2011-10-28T00:00:00Z

    Retailers can sometimes struggle with carrier reliability. Alison Clements considers whether delivery in-house rather than using a courier is a more reliable option.

  • Self service
    Analysis

    Are you being served?

    2011-09-21T00:00:00Z

    Customers increasingly want to serve themselves rather than wait in a queue, but they expect fast, reliable systems. Alison Clements looks at whether self-service technology is meeting their expectations

  • Debenhams brings designers to the high street with its designer roadshows
    Analysis

    In-store events in a digital world

    2011-08-05T07:00:00Z

    In-store events are a good way to draw the crowds. But in today’s digital world, have customers’ expectations of these footfall-driving extravaganzas changed? Alison Clements reports

  • Email affiliates such as Groupon and Vouchercodes.co.uk send standalone email campaigns to their users
    Analysis

    Affiliate marketing: Online retailers’ best friend

    2011-08-03T09:31:00Z

    Affiliate marketing is invaluable for retailers, but many forget its value in promoting full-price product. Alison Clements looks at how to get more from your affiliate marketing budget

  • Sony Internet TV with remote
    Analysis

    Turn on the Google box

    2011-07-15T00:00:00Z

    As Smart TV connects our televisions to the internet, it heralds a world where viewers can click-to-buy. Alison Clements looks at the advertising opportunities on offer to retailers

  • Nectar App
    Analysis

    The rise of personalised offers

    2011-05-27T00:00:00Z

    Faster, cheaper technology means personalised offers traditionally produced by the big grocers are now in reach of every retailer. Alison Clements finds out how retailers are doing it.

  • supply_chain_lorry.jpg
    Analysis

    Multichannel integration

    2011-03-31T00:00:00Z

    What are the common problems encountered by retailers trying to manage inventory across many different sales channels and how can integration help?

  • morrisons_distribution_centre.jpg
    Analysis

    Completing the supply chain story

    2011-03-25T00:00:00Z

    Achieve an end-to-end view of the supply chain and it’s possible to reap benefits across the business. Alison Clements reveals how Morrisons’ five-year plan transformed its supply chain operations.

  • superdry.jpg
    Analysis

    How to profit from international SEO

    2011-02-24T07:00:00Z

    Used correctly, SEO is the key to making money in new online territories. Alison Clements asks the experts how it’s done

  • 1237604_delivery_slim.jpg
    Analysis

    Knowing the unknown

    2011-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Preparing for the unexpected is critical to supply chain success. Alison Clements looks at how retailers can react more quickly to changes in demand

  • Body_Shop_Fascia.jpg
    Analysis

    Joining forces to stop retail crime

    2011-02-10T07:00:00Z

    The rise of UK loss prevention forums is giving businesses a new voice in the battle against retail crime, finds Alison Clements

  • Nectar019.jpg
    Analysis

    Loyal to the last

    2011-02-04T00:00:00Z

    Loyalty cards are back in fashion but gaining competitive edge from the rich source of customer data they generate is easier said than done.