You approach the front of the store with an element of trepidation. Unsure what will happen inside, you are weighing up the odds of coming out alive. It is like the latter stages of the famous children's book, We're Going on a Bear Hunt, as you tip toe into a deep dark cave, to be [...]
In February 2012, I delivered a presentation to the University of Lancaster Management School. The session focussed on why putting the customer at the heart of business strategy is evolving the Retail Industry around the globe. Essentially, it sums up my perception of what is going on in the high street. The audience was made [...]
Unless you have been living in a cave, you could not have avoided the recent horse meat scandal. The scandal is still raging in fact, with the focus most recently shifting to the meat that is really in our curries. One of the key words that underpins any customer experience is TRUST - something the [...]
This is Helen Kewell. I met Helen and her husband Nick last year whilst attempting to climb too many mountains in too short a space of time. Helen is a very intelligent, witty, attractive mum of three - I am sure she will not mind me saying that she does not look like she has [...]
What does this picture say to you? Trust me.....this is not a trick question. Let me hit you with some suggestions. It conjures up words to me such as 'relaxing'; 'sumptuous'; 'luxurious'; 'sensual' - exactly the kind of things that would make any woman (and some men) smile if they were given a Clarins facial as a gift. [...]
When was the last time you visited a Littlewoods store? Think about it........been a while? Well it would have been at least 8 years ago to be precise. It is all too easy to forget that this icon of British retailing disappeared from our high streets in the mid noughties. Unlike recent retail casualties though, [...]
It gives me absolutely no pleasure to write a blog about an organisation that is in significant financial difficulty. It is at times like this that our thoughts should be with the employees that may not have employment for much longer, and the suppliers, some of whom run small companies, that will potentially be out [...]
20 years ago, you could walk over London Bridge - make that any bridge in the UK for that matter - and be pretty sure that almost everyone traversing the bridge with you would be wearing something from Marks & Spencer (M&S). The things they would be wearing would very likely be pants (underwear for [...]
I woke up this morning to see and hear reports about the continuing demise of the British high street. According to the media, up to 30 high street chain stores are closing on a daily basis. These stores are being replaced by pawnbrokers, bookmakers and charity shops. Here is one perspective from the Independent newspaper [...]
For the last 20 years, Tesco has moved indomitably to become the UKs largest retailer. From being just a successful supermarket, Tesco now sells everything from mobile phones, to printer cartridges, to the latest designer fashions. Tesco even has its own bank. In becoming the giant it has today, Tesco stores have popped up like [...]
