Progressive retail leaders are increasingly turning to technology to improve experiences for both employees and customers.Research highlights significant profitability linked to high employee engagement driven by effective experience strategies.Large gaps in employee satisfaction and organisational delivery emphasise the need for enhanced technological adoption.New technology solutions are crucial to empowering employees and improving customer interactions in modern retail environments.Retail leaders leveraging technology are set to lead the future, enhancing both customer and employee satisfaction.The adoption of advanced technology in the retail sector is becoming essential as leaders strive to create better experiences for both employees and customers. Current research indicates that…
Author: Dave Antrobus
For the first time outside the festive season, M&S has overtaken Waitrose to become Middle England’s leading grocer.According to exclusive data from Kantar seen by The Telegraph, M&S’s grocery market share climbed to 4.03% for the four weeks leading up to November 3, compared to 3.76% during the same period in 2023, marking a significant achievement. In contrast, Waitrose’s market share declined from 4.02% last year to 3.91%.Additionally, M&S experienced an 11% increase in sales over the past month, surpassing all other grocers in growth. Lidl’s sales rose by 6.9%, while Sainsbury’s and Tesco saw increases of 6.3% and 5.8%,…
Rami Baitiéh completes a transformative year at Morrisons, spearheading significant changes.A landmark deal reduced Morrisons’ debt substantially, enhancing financial stability.Customer engagement has been prioritised, with input being valued at both management and store levels.Enhancements to the More Card loyalty scheme have been substantially expanded, reflecting major investment.Innovation in AI technology aims to improve product availability and elevate customer service.Rami Baitiéh’s appointment marked a year of significant change at Morrisons. Originally from Carrefour, Baitiéh brings valuable experience in fast-paced grocery environments. He describes his first year as ‘incredibly fulfilling’, highlighting the dedication of colleagues and suppliers, and the loyalty of customers…
A sudden surge in demand caused technical issues for Boots during their Black Friday sale.Many shoppers were unable to access the Boots website or app due to repeated crashes.Shoppers expressed frustration as they faced a virtual queue when trying to shop online at Boots.The issue arose during Boots’ largest Black Friday sale to date, which included over 22,000 promotions.Boots quickly implemented a temporary queuing system to manage the high demand.Boots faced significant technical challenges during their Black Friday sale, with many customers experiencing difficulty accessing the website and app. The high volume of traffic on the platform led to repeated…
Thousands of UK farmers will stage a national strike against new inheritance tax changes.Beginning this Sunday, the week-long strike aims to disrupt supermarket supplies of non-perishable goods.The changes mean a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued above £1 million, threatening traditional family farming.Farmers will march in London and stage protests at key political events, including a Welsh Labour conference.Organisers emphasize the goal is to garner public support and not devastate supermarket shelves.Starting this Sunday, thousands of farmers across the UK will embark on a week-long strike. This protest marks a response to recently introduced inheritance tax changes by Chancellor Rachel…
The High Court has confirmed the decision to remove a solicitor from the roll for his involvement in a fraudulent personal injury claim, despite not being the primary instigator.The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) was found to have acted correctly in striking off Farrukh Abbas, a solicitor, for his participation in a fraudulent personal injury claim. Although Mr Abbas did not initiate the claim, his active involvement in signing a false witness statement and attending various medical appointments rendered his actions indefensible.Mrs Justice McGowan, overseeing the judgment, stated that the seriousness of Mr Abbas’s conduct warranted the penalty imposed. She remarked…
Legal aid solicitors are increasingly vocal about feeling overlooked and exploited in the wake of LASPO cuts, as revealed in a recent academic study.Dr Olubunmi Onafuwa, a senior lecturer at the University of East London, has highlighted the diminishing condition of legal aid, describing it as a ‘disappearing phenomenon’. She attributed this decline to the persistent issues stemming from LASPO cuts. Solicitors report feeling unsupported and exploited, being contractually restricted from striking, unlike their barrister counterparts.Barristers, when striking, often face public misconceptions about their earnings, which they argue are inaccurate considering the inadequate compensation they receive for their work. This…
The ecommerce sector is witnessing a digital transformation as retailers revamp their online platforms. Brands like Marks & Spencer and N Brown Group are leading this shift.Digital platforms are being enhanced to offer more engaging consumer experiences.Retailers are focusing on aesthetics to improve their online presence.There is an evident technological overhaul aimed at streamlining operations.These strategic updates are part of broader market trends to increase competitiveness.In a move to stay competitive, many retailers are overhauling their digital shopfronts. This transformation is driven by the need to enhance user experience and engagement. Marks & Spencer and N Brown Group are at…
In response to the escalating issue of retail crime, the UK government is set to abolish the controversial £200 threshold in shoplifting legislation. This decision aims to address what has been described as “shameful neglect” of retail theft over the past decade.In a significant policy shift announced by the crime and policing minister, the UK government plans to dismantle the existing shoplifting charter which has been in place since 2014. This charter currently categorises shoplifting of items valued at £200 or less as a summary-only offence, a classification that has often led to the de-prioritisation of cases falling under this…
Diageo has announced the formation of a new global division aimed at bringing together its high-end spirits into a unified portfolio for the first time.The newly established ‘Diageo Luxury Group’ will consolidate the company’s prestigious brands such as Brora, Port Ellen, and Johnnie Walker Princes Street, as well as luxury wine enterprise Justerini & Brooks. This initiative marks Diageo’s strategic effort to align and accelerate the growth of its brands that retail at $100 (£78) and above. The move is timely as the luxury spirits segment priced over $100 has shown remarkable growth as the fastest-expanding price category in international…