All Opinion articles – Page 5
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Opinion‘Return on capital employed is the one KPI every board needs’
Too many ignore a metric that crucially reveals whether a management team is building a better business for its owners, not just a bigger one, argues True’s Matt Truman
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Opinion‘Will 2025 be remembered as a year of retail leadership change?’
It’s been five years since the pandemic hit, and retail has had a torrid time. Having steered businesses through tough times a significant number of leaders may choose this year to move on, believes headhunter Tony Gregg
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Opinion‘Boots faces uncertain time as new owners prepare to take control’
Boots is doing well, but the sale of parent Walgreens Boots Alliance raises questions about the future ownership of the UK High street institution, says Retail Week executive editor George MacDonald. A sale or IPO of Boots may follow. And what role might dealmaker Stefano Pessina play?
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Opinion‘Backpedaling on diversity and inclusion would be a huge mistake’
As International Women’s Day is marked this week, commitment to diversity and inclusion is on the wane among some big-name businesses. But less diverse companies will ultimately be less successful, argues Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie
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Opinion‘Retailers need to know what advertising buyers really want from retail media’
Publicis Media chief commerce officer Steve Ricketts looks at opportunities and challenges for retail media networks in attracting bigger shares of advertising budgets
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Opinion‘Crime and policing bill is milestone in efforts to create safer retail environment’
Parliament’s recent efforts to tackle abuse against retailers are necessary and long overdue, argues Retail Trust CEO Chris Brook-Carter
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Opinion‘The future of struggling Poundland is likely to be revealed next week’
In the current trading environment, value specialist Poundland should be flying. It’s not.
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Opinion‘Keeping it real is essential when venturing into social commerce such as TikTok Shop’
Lidl has become the first grocer to sell through TikTok Shop. Its approach is a good example of how retailers can best use the platform, says Kantar’s senior client director Daniel Fanshawe
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Opinion‘Why does the UK find it so hard to create and sustain luxury fashion brands to match France and Italy?’
Should Burberry place so much emphasis on its famous trench coat, and why is its flagship store so disappointing, wonders fashion analyst Maureen Hinton
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Opinion‘You could be forgiven for thinking that a new cost-of-living crunch is upon us’
Hard-pressed consumers, like retailers, face unwelcome cost increases in the next few months and that has implications for spending, says Retail Week executive editor George MacDonald
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Opinion‘When it comes to Gen Z, businesses need to work with, not against, the zeitgeist’
The constant drip-feeding of exasperation-loaded Gen Z column inches detract businesses from keeping pace, argues Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie
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Opinion‘Shiny object syndrome risks killing AI’s true value’
The retailers with AI strategies that are purpose-driven will stand out, says Dunnhumby’s Sandra Stanley
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Opinion‘Joining M&S from controversial Boohoo, John Lyttle has lots to prove’
The contrast between Boohoo and Marks & Spencer, and how each is perceived, is stark but Lyttle brings some strong capabilities, says George MacDonald
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Opinion‘The vibecession is lingering but things should be more positive heading into summer’
The retail landscape is likely to remain challenging but it’s also ripe with opportunities for those willing to pivot towards growth, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker
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Opinion‘Rollback’s returned, Whitfield’s on board – and the fightback’s on at Asda’
The reintroduction of Rollback signals that Asda is serious on price once again, while Jo Whitfield’s return brings a valuable combination of experience as the grocer focuses on the best of its heritage while building new businesses such as convenience, believes George MacDonald
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Opinion‘Retail media is still evolving, and fragmentation will get worse before it gets better’
As retail media matures, what developments can be expected in 2025? Publicis Media’s Steve Ricketts takes a look
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Opinion‘In a split between its travel and high street businesses, where will WHSmith’s name land?’
As WHSmith’s management looks to jettison its high street stores business to focus on its more lucrative travel arm, the future of the brand’s very name seems as turbulent as everything else
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Opinion‘The natural advantage of established brands has been smashed to smithereens’
‘Change brands’ are some of the fastest growing globally and demonstrate that what’s good for the world can be good for business. Retailers should make the most of the opportunity, argues expert author Chris Baker
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Opinion‘As they walk a tightrope, retailers wonder how Reeves’ vision for growth applies to them’
Amid a round of retail job cuts from big industry names, the chancellor needs to offer the industry a big olive branch. Action on business rates would be a good place to start, says Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie
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Opinion‘Rising costs will tempt retailers to review commercial contracts – they must be careful’
Renegotiating arrangements can be a legitimate tool for managing financial challenges, but it’s rare for contracts to provide scope for termination or meaningful renegotiation based purely on changes in economic conditions, says Addleshaw Goddard’s Natasha Winter