All Opinion articles – Page 329
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OpinionRetail's near-wins on policy don't go far enough
The day that VAT will change has been pushed back. But don’t get too excited.
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OpinionNRF lobbying on PCIDSS could be bad news for UK retailers
The US retail trade body the National Retail Federation has added its voice to the growing chorus of calls for the way the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard operates to be reassessed. But its recommendations may not be as helpful for retail in the UK as they first seem.
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OpinionPositive thinking in the property market could be a self-fulfilling prophecy
Anyone who talks about green shoots risks ridicule. But a report published by Cushman & Wakefield and comments from the agency’s head of global retail are among the first encouraging signs that the rate of decline in the retail property market might be gradually easing off.
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OpinionColumbia – building retail brands one country at a time
Outdoorswear retailer Columbia is to open its first UK store on Kensington High Street in September. Is it the right move, or will the London-centric focus hold it back from making its mark?
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OpinionIs Andy Bond the man for M&S?
Andy Bond has proven at Asda that he has the skills and experience to take on the top spot at Marks & Spencer, but would he take the role?
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Opinion
Retail Surgery: The risks of stock reduction
There is pressure from finance to reduce stock and this has put us behind on our normal ordering. How risky is this and what should I be doing?
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OpinionRetail surgery: Landlord legalities
My landlord has refused to move me to monthly rents, but I could only send a cheque for the first month of this quarter – which has been cashed. What is my legal position and what can I do to mitigate any risk?
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Opinion
Gearing up for green shoots
As someone old enough to have endured the last recession, I recall that consumption GDP and the retail sector recovered relatively quickly – it took a modest three years for consumption to reach its pre-recession peak after the 1990s slump.
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OpinionRed tape has gone too far
Heavy-handed legislation on selling alcohol asks retailers to police drinking, says Iceland chief executive Malcolm Walker
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OpinionThe mountain facing Blacks
Blacks Leisure chief executive Neil Gillis, like his customers, has a mountain to climb.
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OpinionDebenhams’ share placing does more than raise funds
So Debs has finally done it. The department store chain has announced the details of a much-anticipated share placing.
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OpinionIT needs a direct line to the boss
There is a link between how successful retailers are and who their IT chiefs report to, according to research published by Retail Systems Research.It has found that retailers with the best like-for-like sales performances are much more likely to have chief information officers or IT directors that report to ...
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OpinionFrancis Salway departure would be retail’s loss
For Land Securities chief executive Francis Salway to go would be a massive setback to all the work which has gone on to improve relationships between landlords and retailers.
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OpinionCroydon: still a good bet… for some
Saturday in Croydon, always a busy time and a couple of days ago proved no exception. By 9.30am, the central car parks were almost full and North End, the main pedestrianised drag providing access to the town’s shopping centres, was rammed. And yet many of the shops were not.
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OpinionDo we really need more regulation?
As a decision on the proposed grocery ombudsman remains up in the air, supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s need to focus on efficiencies to help customers through the tough times.
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OpinionDeliver the Essentials
Cutting prices needn’t compromise quality, as Waitrose’s new range shows, says Mark Price
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OpinionClinton has its cards marked
Clinton Cards’ £46.4m acquisition of rival Birthdays in 2004 was one of the least surprising deals ever.
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Opinion
Retailers have moved beyond shock and onto practicalities
Sir Stuart Rose said last month that “people are fed up with being fed up”. It seemed to reflect what many were thinking, says Ian McGarrigle
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OpinionUnemployment will hold back recovery
Unemployment and housing are factors that could prolong the recession, says Richard Hyman
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OpinionRetailers must not break the supplier chain
Retailers need to ensure that they don’t squeeze suppliers until they squeak after a stream of bad press this week.