Multi-channel wreaking havoc with property strategies

Strange things are happening in the world of retail property. On the one hand there is a strong argument from some retailers that large stores are best as they are more cost efficient. But on the other there is the counter view that smaller stores are more beneficial in an increasingly online-focused world. More stores up for…

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The sad demise of the City wine bars

This is a slight diversion from the normal fayre you’ll find on Retailinsider.com but the news that the venerable Balls Brothers chain in the City of London is on the ropes highlights how successful retail/leisure organisations can suffer badly from rapidly changing tastes and cultures. How long will the doors stay open? I thought a close…

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Fancy a pint of cask ale down the supermarket

Pubs are arguably under more under pressure than retailers but at least they have a unique product to sell in the form of cask ale that cannot easily be bought in shops or over the internet. Lots of choice but does any of it appeal? As the industry has faced myriad problems – the smoking ban, increased…

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Customer product reviews a waste of time

Shoppers rely heavily on customer product reviews when deciding a purchase, with recent research showing over three-quarters used ratings and reviews before buying. But when so many of the entries are potentially fake and PR fluff do they bother? It might be a review, but is there any insight? The ongoing issue involving Trip Advisor is…

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Home delivery – not just about Ocado and the supermarkets

Ocado and the big grocery chains naturally grab all the media attention and appear the only options for home delivered food. This is not the case. There have been a number of organic food delivery companies that have cropped-up over recent years who supply nationwide and there is also the odd localised business. One hyper-local operation is Hubbub…

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Older brands targeting younger market online

It might have been around since 1963, and been trading over the internet in the UK since way back in 1995, but clothing retailer Lands’ End has only this month started selling goods to the younger end of the market on its British website. It’s taken since 1963, but Canvas has landed It follows another long-established mail-order/online retailer…

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Is quality beer still important to the supermarkets

Bottled beer was regarded as a super-premium category by the supermarkets a couple of years back and they seemed to like it. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda each held annual competitions to find the best new ales from UK brewers to help promote the category. What happened to it? As a beer drinker it is sad to…

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