All articles by Charlotte Hardie – Page 5
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AnalysisTalking about their generation
What do young people think about retail? How do they decide where and how they shop? Charlotte Hardie talks to them and reveals what you need to know about the next generation
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AnalysisAt the margins
At every turn, retailers are staring at rising costs. With deflation a thing of the past, how can they manage their margins and remain profitable? Charlotte Hardie considers the challenges ahead.
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AnalysisHow do you solve a problem like Ireland?
Everyone knows that Ireland’s retail scene is a disaster. But how should you tackle it? As some UK retailers scale back their Irish portfolios, Charlotte Hardie assesses the various options
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AnalysisTying the retail knot
Wills and Kate tie the knot tomorrow, and in keeping with the fervour we take a look back at some of the most notable marriages of retail businesses over the years. Have these unions stood the test of time or did they decide to go their separate ways? Charlotte Hardie ...
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AnalysisCan you crack America?
It is the world’s largest retail market, but UK store chains struggle in the US. With international expansion a boardroom priority, Charlotte Hardie considers the traps retailers should avoid to succeed in America.
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AnalysisThe changing face of eBay
One year on since the launch of its fashion Outlet, eBay has emerged as an unlikely ally in offloading end-of-line and clearance stock. Charlotte Hardie reports
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OpinionMultichannel gets more complicated
Just as retailers really start to understand what multichannel means to their business and how to capitalise on that, it gets more complicated
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AnalysisRose: The man with the plan
Under Sir Stuart Rose’s leadership, Marks & Spencer has developed one of the most comprehensive CSR programmes of any retailer. Charlotte Hardie examines the achievements of Plan A so far.
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AnalysisNot just a campaign
The perception of Marks & Spencer has been transformed in the seven years that Sir Stuart was at the helm. Its Your M&S advertising campaign was central to that, says Charlotte Hardie
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NewsArchie Norman: Healthy businesses should close stores
Retailers should look to close around four stores per year even when sales are healthy, former Asda CEO told Retail Week delegates. “In healthy times retailers don’t close stores they accumulate the walking dead,” he said.
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NewsMorrisons’ Pennycook: Retail innovation critical to survival
Innovation will be crucial if retailers are to thrive in tough times, Morrisons’ FD Richard Pennycook told delegates at the Retail Week Conference.
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NewsFocusing on core proposition critical to survival
Clarity on what your business means to customers has never been more important, Retail Week conference delegates heard.
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NewsBoots boss Hornby: Customer service critical to save high street
A double dip recession looks unlikely, but colleague and customer engagement will be critical if retailers are to maintain high street spend, delegates at the Retail Week Conference heard.
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AnalysisCan you cut it?
Cutting staff budgets can be tricky, but can retailers save cash without compromising customer service, asks Charlotte Hardie
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AnalysisThe Dixons family tree
Lord Kalms created an academy for high flyers at Dixons. Charlotte Hardie traces the company’s family tree and speaks to its founder about how it became a finishing school for the retail elite
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OpinionSupply chain up against more challenges
Life is not going to be easy for many retail professionals this year, but supply chain teams are among those going into overdrive.
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AnalysisTime for retail to come in from the cold
After three snowy, sales-depleting winters in a row, are the icy temperatures here to stay in the UK and can retailers do anything to lessen the impact of the weather? Charlotte Hardie reports
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AnalysisSourcing from Bangladesh: Out of the comfort zone
It’s cheaper, but sourcing from Bangladesh brings with it a whole host of logistical challenges. Just how much of a supply opportunity is there in this corner of Asia? Charlotte Hardie reports
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AnalysisThe ultimate retail board
What mix of personalities and skills make up the perfect board, asks Charlotte Hardie
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AnalysisThe power of the network
There are a few online sites that are seriously important to retailers. So what are they and why do they affect your business?