A daily eavesdrop on retail talking points and the latest industry developments – please share your thoughts in the comments section.

The rise of the ‘grocerant’

Waitrose is an example of the so-called 'grocerant' trend, where shop meets restaurant

Waitrose bakery

Waitrose is an example of the so-called ‘grocerant’ trend, where shop meets restaurant

The increasingly blurred line between grocery stores and eateries, reflecting changing eating habits, has become a big food retail trend.

Waitrose, which has made foodservice a big focus with everything from sushi bars to supper clubs, perhaps epitomises the shift.

So prominent has the change become in the States that according to USA Today it’s given rise to the new word ‘grocerant’ to describe the half-shop, half-restaurant phenomenon.

The food may be tasty, but it’s a pretty unappetizing term. Any inspired ideas for a better one?

Revolving doors at Arcadia

Yesterday brought news of the departure of another senior Arcadia staffer. This time it was Fiona Ross, managing director of Evans, who was off.

The raft of recent exits has prompted some to fret at the leak of talent. But I spoke to one fashion industry veteran who took a different view.

“Some of them weren’t very good anyway,” he rather sniffily told me, maintaining that Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green had been surrounded by “yes people”.

He saw an opportunity for the tycoon to inject fresh talent into the business, but acknowledged it might pose a few difficulties.

Who would have the guts to argue the toss with the forceful entrepreneur? It might be a case of an irresistible force meets an immovable object.

The price ain’t right

The same fashion boss told me that many apparel retailers had only themselves to blame for the malaise afflicting much of the sector.

“There’s only been one trend in the last 10 years – price,” he said.

Promotions, discounting and constant pressure to lower prices have become à la mode while, he argued, the importance of great product has frequently been forgotten.

He cited Ted Baker, a fashion retailer that has consistently outshone others through its unstinting focus on its product and brand, as compelling evidence backing his view.

Stuff vs experience

“It’s not enough simply to have the stuff. You’ve got to wrap it in a set of experiences.” So said Debenhams chairman Sir Ian Cheshire at the World Retail Congress in Dubai.

Experiential retail is front-of-mind for many directors at present as they seek to find new ways for their stores to draw people in and new uses for excess space as sales move online.

But while experiences are so frequently talked about, they are less often genuinely achieved.

What are the great examples globally of retailers that also create fantastic experiences? Please let us know – and send pictures if you can.

No, not that John Lewis…

You have to feel sympathy for John Lewis, the American whose Twitter handle, @johnlewis, means he is deluged with messages meant for the great UK retail institution of the same name.

The annual release of John Lewis’s Christmas ad is an especially busy time for him, and he is the frequent recipient of customer complaints.

He takes it all in good spirit and often posts humorous responses. This was amusing yesterday – though perhaps not for the company concerned.

 

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