Several key sessions at the World Retail Congress this week focused on the connected subjects of community and loyalty and speakers from global megastar retailers as well as relatively small businesses had a similar message: nurture your customers and those who inspire you. Selfridges One of the most crowded sessions included Selfridges COO Leonie Foster…
Several messages were very clear from the World Retail Congress (WRC) in London this week — it’s an uncertain world that isn’t going to get more certain any time soon, the industry is evolving at speed, and retail business models need to adapt to drive growth. Photo: Pexels That latter point is the key one…
The Saks Global and Authentic Brands Group partnership has been a big talking point of late so it was good timing that Authentic’s CEO Jamie salter and Saks’ executive chairman Richard Baker were on stage together on day two of the World Retail Congress in London this week. Jamies Salter of Authentic and Richard Baker…
Despite the month-on-month/year-on-year disturbance in the force (Easter), April returned to offer some sort of normality, delivering a welcome positive boost for UK retail destinations. And for once, related data from both MRI Software and the BRC/Sensormatic footfall monitor were in agreement. Photo: Pixabay Acknowledging Easter’s shift into April from March a year ago had…
UK retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.4% month on month in March 2025, the third consecutive month of rises and something of a surprise after analysts had predicted that they would dip. Reiss This follows a rise of 0.7% in February (revised down from a rise of 1% in the last…
After twenty years of climbing the crime ladder, Oakland has been enjoying a new lease on life for the past few months. Long in the shadow of San Francisco, this symbol of American diversity – almost 50% of its population is Black and Latino – is showing a new optimism, with cutting-edge fashion boutiques opening…
Translated by Nicola Mira Published April 15, 2025 Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has published a study analysing data from over 2,000 rental transactions carried out in Europe in 2024. The study charts the evolution of the commercial real estate sector in the continent, where retail rents posted an overall increase compared to…
Liberation or decimation? While the 47th President of the United States is often seen as mercurial in his decision-making and penchant for threats, Donald Trump made good on a promise to impose further tariffs, this time mainly reciprocal to U.S. trade partners. In the first 48 hours of the announcement, stocks plummeted, and affected countries,…
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her latest budget — or the Spring Statement as it’s officially known — and while she stuck to earlier promises not to increase taxes on working people, there was little good news to be had. Reuters For a start, it looks like the economy will remain sluggish and that’s…