Tag Archives: Retail

Contract Wins, News

Smoking Gun hits two holes in one – winning both corporate and consumer briefs for American Golf

The UK’s largest golf retailer, American Golf, has appointed globally-recognised PR and social media agency  Smoking Gun to handle both its corporate and consumer comms.

Smoking Gun will now deliver two separate media relations briefs for the retail giant whose vision is to become the ultimate one-stop destination for everything a golfer requires.

Leveraging the teams’ media relations expertise, Smoking Gun will drive mass brand awareness for its retail offering which includes American Golf’s exclusive custom fit service, brand partnerships and newly launched personalisation service.

At the same time, corporate outreach will be focussed on enhancing brand reputation and credibility through a campaign of thought leadership, communicating business updates and raising the profile of the board.

Smoking Gun aced two competitive pitches for the B2B and B2C accounts, demonstrating the team’s expertise and intelligent approach to both Corporate and Consumer PR.

Scott Taylor, American Golf Executive Board Member for Marketing, said: “From the very  first meeting it was clear that there was natural chemistry and a genuine synergy between our organisations.

“During the consumer pitch process, Smoking Gun showed a thorough understanding of our business and our ambitions for the brand which led to an invite to pitch for the corporate brief as well.

“The team’s creative ideas and category insight were rooted in delivering real business impact – helping us to shift the dial as a business faster and more effectively.”

Caroline Aspinall, Smoking Gun’s commercial director and head of B2B, added: “This win is the latest example of  Smoking Gun’s ongoing journey of expansion and achievement.

“To win both competitive pitches is a huge testament to the quality of both our B2B and B2C offering and testament also to the American Golf team who could see the value of an aligned strategy.

“Working with brands that are shaking up their categories is our passion. American Golf  has big ambitions for 2024 and beyond with industry leading initiatives to unveil.

“Smoking Gun is famous for delivering impactful campaigns that deliver tangible business results. Together we are tee-d up for the future success of the brand and the business.”

American Golf boasts 85 stores across the UK and ROI, employing hundreds of staff focussed on driving participation in the sport.

The golf specialist joins Smoking Gun’s portfolio of brand giants that includes Philips, Alton Towers and Interflora as well as a growing roster of B2B clients in property, construction, tech and travel.

Acquisitions & Partnerships, News

Mountain Warehouse extends partnership with Metapack to lead shipping services across the UK and Canada

Metapack, a leader in ecommerce delivery technology, today announces that Mountain Warehouse, the UK’s leading outdoor clothing company, has extended its relationship with Metapack to strengthen its delivery options and support its future growth plans. Already using Metapack Delivery Manager, Mountain Warehouse has added Metapack’s Delivery Options and Metapack Intelligence solutions to its operations as it invests in its shipping infrastructure to provide customers with exceptional ecommerce experiences across the UK and Canada.

Using Metapack’s Delivery Manager, Mountain Warehouse has already optimised its fulfilment operations by simplifying integrations with last mile carriers, automating how parcels are allocated and streamlining operations processes to reduce barriers and increase efficiencies.

Now, leveraging Metapack’s Delivery Options solution, Mountain Warehouse can provide their customers with accurate and convenient shipping choices. This will also enable them to offer consumers with more out-of-home delivery options and reduce cost-to-serve. Utilising Metapack intelligence, Mountain Warehouse will further enhance their entire shipping operations by obtaining deeper insights into carrier performance and smartly increase the variety of delivery services offered, ultimately improving delivery success to their customers.

Lisa Leadbetter, Global Carrier Manager at Mountain Warehouse:

“Our relationship with Metapack has gone from strength to strength. The expansion of our partnership is an exciting milestone as we continue to scale our business in the UK and international regions like North America. Working together with Metapack will not only realise a cost saving benefit but also enable us to provide an exceptional delivery experience to more customers around the world. We’ll be able to provide our customers with a greater choice of different delivery options and services that best suit their needs now and in the future.”

Chris Karp, Chief Customer Officer at Auctane, Metapack’s parent company:

“Mountain Warehouse has been a key Metapack customer for years, and we’re hugely excited to continue our journey together and help support their ambitious growth plans not only in the UK but also in North America. Trust stands as the cornerstone of our hugely successful partnership with Mountain Warehouse. Together we’ve cultivated an environment of education and best practices that have ultimately resulted in increased ecommerce growth for Mountain Warehouse. Our industry proven solutions enable Mountain Warehouse to not only deliver on their promise to their customers but also provide excellent ecommerce experiences.”

Find out more about how Metapack and its shipping operations:

Metapack Delivery Manager

Metapack Delivery Options

Metapack Intelligence

News

80 percent of UK consumers rely on ecommerce but their purchasing decisions vary by region

According to a study published this week, 80 percent of the UK population made online purchases in 2023. However, there are variances in how each British region is shopping. For example, in many large cities including Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool, shoppers are focused on the convenience and style offered by online retailers. Whereas, customers in cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow prioritise sustainability and ethical practices when making purchasing decisions. London was identified as the most “ecommerce obsessed” city, and consumers’ purchases were largely based on convenience.

Tony Preedy, Managing Director at Fruugo explains how online sellers can tap into regional trends across the UK and globally, for long-term success:

“As this study shows, shoppers are turning to online shopping more and more and the motivations for this differ per region. Clearly, different regions and demographics have specific buying patterns or preferences, so it is important that sellers analyse these behaviours if they are hoping to capitalise on every sales opportunity. By understanding what motivates different consumer groups to make purchases online, retailers can review their marketing and sales strategies to drive more traffic to their product listings. Whether it’s offering personalised recommendations or providing targeted promotions, retailers can create a more engaging and satisfying shopping journey for their customers region by region.

“Additionally, by working with online marketplaces, retailers can expand their reach and the visibility of their products to buyers further afield. Sellers are also far more agile when it comes to tapping into trends and spikes in activity across multiple territories, whether that’s in the UK or overseas. In fact, some marketplaces even offer regional advertising on behalf of their retailers’ products, using their algorithms to profile potential shoppers and identify opportunities to match demand to supply.”

News

Why Bespoke Packaging is Key for Brand Elevation and Sustainability Representation in the Retail Sector

Packaging is crucial in every industry but even more crucial in retail. From sanitation to buyer influence, packaging has a strong power to impact and encourage your company’s reputation. In a sector where similar products are on display, rivalling yours, standing out from the crowd is essential. In fact, there’s an average of 29 competitors for each business in the UK market.

Matthew Hall, Marketing Manager at CCS McLays, says: “Packaging is more than the product inside. It is an important marketing tool for your company, as not only does it influence consumer appeal, but it also provides an opportunity to reinforce your branding, providing that the branding is somewhat consistent over time and easy to recognise.

“In the retail sector, being able to stand out has always proved vital, and ensuring you’ve got bespoke packaging that is not only easily identifiable to consumers but also representative of your overall company’s positioning is a must.”

Standing out within the marketplace
Gaining a competitive edge is crucial in this somewhat turbulent industry. Product packaging plays a vital role in gaining brand awareness momentum, encouraging customer purchases and elevating your market share.

Hall states: “As the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute have proven, packaging also can offer buyers a mental shortcut, particularly when they are shopping for low-involvement goods. Products such as Toblerone or Heinz baked beans are easy to notice through uniquely identifiable characteristics such as the shape, colours or copy on the packaging, and this is one of many factors (albeit an important one) as to why both brands have enjoyed significant success over the years.”

It’s not just prior to purchasing where packaging can make a considerable impact. Post-purchase is also a huge opportunity for retail brands to build brand equity. For example, the bold yellow duffle bag has become synonymous with JD Sports, so much so that JD Sports recently developed a marketing campaign titled ‘The Bag for Life’ centring on the famous duffle bag prior to Christmas 2023.

Customer trust
Being a recognisable brand is important for influencing buyer habits. In fact, 46% of customers claim they’d pay a premium for products from a trusted brand. As mentioned, one way to gain this trusted status is through unique, bespoke packaging that customers can easily recognise.

However, trust can also come from finding brands which align with the right values. In fact, 82% of customers claim they’d rather buy from a brand that aligns with their values. Although what customers claim they do and what they actually do may not always match up, your packaging is undeniably an important tool in conveying the values you wish to stand for. For example, your sustainability credentials can be purposefully developed through your choice of materials. With 66% of people considering sustainability when they buy from a brand, this option could ultimately gain the favour of acquiring new customers and even creating loyalty.

Liam Knowles, Director of CCS McLays, says: “Bespoke packaging does more for your brand reputation than you might think. It is an opportunity to both increase your customer engagement and convey the values that you wish to stand for. Sustainability has rightly continued to gain traction for several years within the retail industry, but if you wish for your packaging to be sustainable, make it easy for your customers to recognise that through the choice of materials and supporting copy.”

Drawing online attention
Liam Knowles says: “The magnetism that the right bespoke packaging can have isn’t only useful in-store, but it can actually help your brand identity online too. With online retailers trying to catch customers’ attention through websites, shopping platforms, and even social media, making you stand out is essential.

“You don’t want to use standard, dull packaging that could be indistinguishable from the next. Instead, investing in unique packaging that elevates your brand could make attracting online audiences easier.”

Data shows that 80% of customers in the UK make e-commerce purchases, with this number expected to rise to over 86% by 2027. With new platform shops such as TikTok shop and other e-commerce creations becoming a reality for many, finding ways to penetrate the online market is crucial. Again, it comes down to recognisability. If your customers can easily recognise your storefront, social media, and packaging as all belonging to the same brand, you’re more likely to attract attention.

The retail sector is highly competitive, with similar products coming onto the market all the time. To stand out from the crowd, you need to make it more than just about your products. Your brand needs to be recognisable and consistent for continual customer engagement both online and offline.

Home Improvements, News

Hazlemere opens its doors inside the M25 with £100,000 showroom launch

A leading home improvement specialist has opened its first showroom inside the M25 as it looks to tap into growing demand for its range of products.

Hazlemere, which is led by Rachel Braham-Hill, has invested £100,000 into bringing the site on Swakeleys Road in Ickenham back to life, putting in a full selection of windows and doors and touchscreen digital displays that will be showcasing a portfolio of living spaces.

Two new jobs have been created with a further three to follow when a fitting team is introduced.

Benefitting from its involvement in the Conservatory Outlet network, the family-run company has seen sales rise despite tough trading conditions and is hoping that the launch of its third showroom will act as a geographic bridge between existing locations in High Wycombe and Welwyn Garden City.

“This is a really important move for the business and gives us an immediate footprint inside the M25,” explained Rachel.

“Ickenham is very affluent, and we had noticed we had started to pick up customers from this area, even though they were travelling to our other locations.”

She continued: “This made us eye a potential third site and, when this building came up, we jumped at the chance. It had been a home improvement showroom before but needed a lot of work, so we decided to rip everything out and refurbish it to exactly what we wanted.

“We now have a modern space that features a wide range of windows and doors, with experts on hand to talk potential customers through ‘on trend’ options and energy efficiency savings.”

Hazlemere has turned to Loretto O’Donoghue to support the roll-out of the new showroom, a move that will tap into her considerable industry experience and a 40-year connection with the site.

Her family had previously owned their own window and door firm that had been in Ickenham for more than three decades.

Loretto said: “I’m really pleased to be working with Hazlemere on this venture – it feels like I’m going back home to my roots.

“We have a fantastic range of windows and doors to show people and access to our wider living space displays at our other showrooms. Hopefully, my local knowledge can really pay dividends.”

Hazlemere, which was formed by 1985 by father and son team George and Stuart Braham, has been part of the Conservatory Outlet since 2011.

This relationship gives it access to comprehensive digital marketing support and best practice sharing across its 28 members. It also gives the company access to the latest window and door ranges being manufactured in the Network’s factory in Yorkshire.

Greg Kane, Chief Executive of Conservatory Outlet, concluded: “We are really pleased to see Rachel and the team expand into a third showroom and into an important geographic area that has lots of new opportunities.

“They have so much energy to succeed and we’re looking forward to continue to support the firm as it continues to grow and position itself as one of the leading retailers and installers in the country.”

For further information, please visit www.hazlemere.co.uk or www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

Cleaning & Facilities Management, News

Fabulosa Makes Gains: Wholesale & Retail

Fragrance-led home and lifestyle brand, Fabulosa, is building further on its already strong position across the wholesale sector and expanding its network with a significant new partnership. The latest listing represents another major addition to the firm’s wide customer base within this marketplace, and is set to increase Fabulosa’s reach to even more shoppers.

Appleby Westward, the South West-based SPAR retailer and wholesaler, will be introducing a variety of Fabulosa’s highly effective, task-specific household cleaning products, including kitchen, bathroom, and glass sprays, in a selection of popular fragrances. As well as distributing the range to its convenience retail partners, the products will be stocked in Appleby Westward’s company-owned store estate of over 100 sites.

The firm also boosts its territory reach through the new partnership, with increased penetration in the South West.

Fabulosa has celebrated significant success through the wholesale and convenience category to date and has ambitious plans in place to drive further growth through this channel. A key driver of its rapid expansion through convenience is the strength of the relationships the business has built and nurtured with its valued cash and carry partners, and the firm is actively seeking new partnerships.

This development follows closely on from a tranche of new listings secured with grocery giant Asda for six additional lines, which went on shelves in stores nationwide last month.

Ricky Lee, Sales Director at Fabulosa, commented: “We are continuing to focus heavily on supporting the wholesale and convenience channel with exciting, innovative, and sensationally fragranced Fabulosa products that consumers love.

“There is huge potential for us to increase our presence in this market even further, and we are currently welcoming approaches from wholesale and cash and carry partners in the UK and Ireland.”

Following its entry into the FMCG market in 2019, through an expertly executed, fast-moving schedule of exciting category-leading new product development, together with highly effective marketing campaigns, Fabulosa changed the perception of cleaning, and has rapidly taken value and volume share from well-established iconic household brands.

Fabulosa has since leveraged its strategic positioning and focus to bring fragrance to alternative lifestyle sectors, widening reach and disrupting not only the cleaning sector but also other FMCG categories outside of this category including home fragrance (candles, wax melts and diffusers), shoe and trainer care, and personal (bath and body), whilst it continues to grow and innovate with prolific NPD ongoing in Surface Care, Air Care, Laundry Care and Task Specific ranges including car care and garden care.

The brand has made significant inroads into the export market. With its sights set firmly on international expansion, the brand has a presence in leading European retail chains representing 3,000 locations across the continent and Fabulosa collections are now available throughout Europe including France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, The Czech Republic, Austria and Italy. Since then, the firm has launched in Middle Eastern and North African markets, and has recently celebrated a major international milestone, having secured distribution rights representing one billion of the world’s population.

For more info on Fabulosa, please visit: https://myfabulosa.co.uk/

News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce

Facing shocking levels of violence at work – yet not paid enough to live on: 57% of UK retail staff say their wages barely cover basic expenses, despite many working more hours than ever

  • Study finds that UK shop workers are faring much worse financially than European counterparts
  • One in ten use food banks and nearly a third rely on friends and family to help with living expenses
  • 43% are clocking up more hours than they ever have – rising to 60% for those in wholesale roles

Following the release of the British Retail Consortium’s Crime Survey 2024 Report, revealing a 50% rise in abuse and violence aimed at shop staff, new data shows that more than half of UK retail workers say their wages barely meet even basic living costs – despite many putting in longer hours than ever to keep up with inflated expenses.

Frontline staff across several industries, including retail and wholesale, were polled in the pan-European study by workforce management experts Quinyx.  Four in ten UK retail employees (43%) said they’re working more hours than they ever have in order to meet increased living costs and support their families. For those in wholesale jobs, this rises to 60%.

Pointing to a significant financial disparity between retail staff in the UK and those in other parts of Europe, UK employees were much more likely to say their wages barely cover living costs (57%) than their counterparts in The Netherlands (31%), the Nordics (33%) and Germany (39%). For wholesale workers, the gap is even greater – 57% of UK staff, compared to 18% in The Netherlands, 22% in the Nordics and 27% in Germany say they can barely afford basic living expenses.

Despite a third (33%) of retail staff receiving a pay rise last year, 10% said they’d had to use food banks, while 29% had to accept financial support from friends and family to cover basic costs.

Toma Pagojute, chief HR officer at Quinyx, says: “The British Retail Consortium’s findings are shocking, and while no amount of pay would make the current situation acceptable, the fact that many retail staff are barely scraping by financially seems like another insult.

“If there’s a positive to take from the BRC report, it’s that it is shedding greater light on retail crime and encouraging action to make frontline workers safer. We hope it also brings opportunities to review employees’ experiences as a whole, considering all factors that can affect their mental and physical health.

“Pay is part of that, particularly as we’re still facing higher interest rates and increased living costs. In addition to any legislation brought in regarding customer behaviour and staff protection, employers should always consider the wellbeing of their workforce and look for ways to help frontliners feel less stressed, overwhelmed and overworked. This might be through flexible scheduling or improved communications – and generally making staff feel like they matter and their contributions are valued.”

News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce

Lidl named UK’s best supermarket and M&S back in fashion at the Retail Week Awards, sponsored by Salesforce

Beloved for its ‘midl’ aisle, ironically cool own-brand socks and sliders, and top-notch in-store bakery, Lidl is now officially the UK’s best supermarket after taking the top gong at a glittering awards ceremony in London tonight – the first time it has beaten fellow German grocer Aldi.

And, after years of failing to impress fashion-focused customers, Marks and Spencer – which saw its holiday clothes and jeans fly last year – impressed the critics enough to reclaim its ‘Fashion Retailer of the Year’ crown.

Lidl and Marks and Spencer were two of 19 retailers celebrating last night at the Retail Week Awards, sponsored by Salesforce, where hundreds of the industry’s biggest names gathered to compete for an array of accolades.

Lidl’s win comes hot on the heels of an amazing year for the supermarket when 1.4 million more UK customers entered its doors and it reported an 18.8% increase in sales, to £9.3 billion. It’s now the third-largest supermarket in London, overtaking Asda and gaining ground on Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

 

Hanna Jackson, managing director at Retail Week, said: “The Retail Week Awards judges – made up of leading retail CEOs – complimented Lidl on building an incredible business in the UK. Customers are loving the quality and innovation of its food offering as well as – of course – its incredible prices. It is also playing a very clever game in attracting Gen Z shoppers with the aim of keeping them as loyal customers for life.”

Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer has enjoyed a phoenix-like resurgence in fashion following a decade of decline, boosted by the sale of customer-friendly, third-party brands including Sweaty Betty, Nobody’s Child and Sosandar. The retailer reported an 11.5% increase in clothing and home sales, to £3.7 billion, last year.

“M&S has completely overhauled its fashion credentials, thanks to co-chief executive officer Katie Bickerstaffe’s transformational strategy for the divisions,” added Hanna Jackson, managing director at Retail Week. “Its influencer-led social media strategy has really paid off, as has the way it’s brought third-party brands into the M&S family and aligned itself with celebrity fashionistas like Sienna Miller, Zawe Ashton and Sophie Ellis-Bextor in its advertising campaigns. 

“More – and younger – customers are back buying clothes at M&S. It’s a very worthy winner.”

Ryan McDonnell, CEO of Lidl GB, said: “We’re thrilled to be named Grocer of the Year, an especially poignant accolade with 2024 marking our 30th anniversary in Great Britain. When the doors to our first store opened back in 1994, our promise was simple, offer customers great quality food at unbeatable value, and this commitment still stands. Big on Quality, Lidl on Price isn’t just a brand slogan. It’s a promise that epitomises what our business stands for, and encapsulates our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability which is core to our DNA. Over the years, this has helped contribute towards a significant change in the way that British households shop for their groceries.”

Richard Price, managing director of clothing and home at Marks and Spencer, said: “We’re thrilled to be recognised as Retail Week’s Fashion Retailer of the Year. The team has worked incredibly hard to elevate style perceptions while continuing to offer product that is exceptional quality and value. Lots to be cheerful about while lots still to do and so much to go after in the year ahead.” 

There was also recognition for Tesco, which was named ‘Best Retailer Over £250m’ and is still the UK’s biggest supermarket, Primark, which was named ‘International Retailer of the Year’ in recognition of its aggressive and successful programme of store openings in North America and Europe over the last 12 months, and Amazon, which won the Consumer Choice Award, as voted for by the public, for the seventh year running.

Walmart’s former president and CEO Judith McKenna was awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution to Retail’ for her meteoric rise to becoming one of the world’s most influential retailers and Sainsbury’s chief executive officer Simon Roberts was named Salesforce Retail Leader of the Year’ for what the Retail Week Awards judges described as an ‘ego free’ style of leadership that makes him ‘a pleasure to work with.

Hanna Jackson, managing director at Retail Week, added: “Under Simon’s leadership, he’s addressed the retail giant’s slumping market share, guided it through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis by putting food back at the heart of the business.  

“He’s a people-focused leader who prioritises culture. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been difficult decisions as Sainsbury’s has looked at how to ensure sustainable growth, but he epitomises modern leadership that prioritises purpose.” 

Judith McKenna said: “I am honoured to receive this award and to be recognised by an industry that I love. 

“Over my 30-year retail career I have met many people in retail and beyond who have supported me. It’s been an enormous privilege here in the UK at Asda and internationally with Walmart to work with so many amazing colleagues and leaders who have taught me so much and shared their love of retail with me. I owe a debt of gratitude to each and everyone of them. 

“To be the first female leader to receive this award is particularly poignant as we approach International Women’s Day so I’d like to take the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution of all the brilliant women who work in retail, on the sales floor, in supply chain, in head offices and in boardrooms right across the globe. This one is for you!” 

The Retail Week Awards have been recognising and rewarding the efforts of retailers and retail workers for nearly 30 years and this year’s judging panel included some of the most respected names in the industry, ranging from WHSmith’s chief executive Carl Cowling to White Stuff’s chief executive Jo Jenkins.

Wednesday night’s ceremony came ahead of the UK’s leading retail gathering LIVE: Retail Week x The Grocer which is taking place from 12 – 13 March at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London.

EE, Currys and Majestic Wine among other Retail Week Award winners

EE also claimed a top spot for ‘Best New Store’, thanks to its new Studio store in Westfield London which features a host of new experience zones including a gaming area, smart home zone and a digital spa” where customers can use technology to detox from their screens.

Currys was awarded ‘The Green Initiative’ for recycling and harvesting thousands of products and parts, its “Cash for Trash” programme which offers customers a voucher worth at least £5 when old tech is recycled, and for its work providing refurbished white goods and devices to low-income families.

And Majestic Wine won The Microsoft Award for the Happiest Place to Work, in partnership with the Retail Trust. The specialist wine retailer conducted its largest-ever staff listening programme last year to create new employee forums to improve communication across the business.

Retail heroes celebrated 

Other individuals and teams from across the retail industry were celebrated for leading their businesses and communities during the last year, including Pet’s at Home’s regional operations director Lucy Bain, who was awarded ‘The American Express Inclusion and Diversity Hero’ for her work, which includes attracting more employees with diverse characteristics, including from more diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Life saver Bobby Storey, from sofa and carpet specialists, ScS, was awarded ‘Delivery Hero’ after spotting a gas leak in a customer’s home.

And the team at Homebase in Catford won ‘the Community Heroes award’ for their work supporting local schools, fire brigades, police, and parks across south London.

Navkinder Sanghera, AVP retail, consumer goods, travel, transport and hospitality at Salesforce UK, added: “The Retail Week Awards nominees and winners represent all that is great about the industry, with individuals and teams demonstrating innovation and resilience despite continued disruption and an uncertain economic outlook. We’re seeing brands embrace technological shifts and remain laser focused on staying connected and delivering on the high expectations of today’s customers.” 

The Retail Week Awards 2024 winners:  

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS INCLUSION & DIVERSITY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Lucy Bains, regional operations director, Pets at Home

THE BEST NEW STORE AWARD – EE

THE BEST RETAILER OVER £250m – Tesco

THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE GAMECHANGER AWARD – Holland & Barrett

THE CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD – Amazon

THE COMMUNITY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Homebase, Catford 

THE DELIVERY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Bobby Storey, ScS

THE FASHION RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Marks and Spencer

THE GREEN INITIATIVE – Currys

THE INTERNATIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR – Primark

THE MICROSOFT AWARD FOR THE HAPPIEST PLACE TO WORK IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE RETAIL TRUST – Majestic Wine

THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RETAIL AWARD – Judith McKenna, president and CEO, Walmart International

THE RELEX SOLUTIONS RESPONSIBLE RETAILER AWARD – Cook

THE SALESFORCE BEST RETAILER UNDER £250m – Jollyes

THE SALESFORCE RETAIL LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Simon Roberts, CEO, Sainsbury’s

THE SAP HEAD OFFICE HERO/HEROES AWARD – Team Fusion, Ann Summers

THE SOFTSERVE GROCER OF THE YEAR – Lidl

THE SPECIALITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR – HMV

THE STORE HEROES AWARD – Beckton store team, Currys

News, Retail & E-commerce

The power of in-person shopping: insights from Blakely’s CEO

With experiential stores and pop-up shops popping up en masse in the last few months, some say that the high street is making a comeback. We spoke to experts at growing British fashion brand Blakely Clothing investigate this trend.

According to a 2023 PwS report*, net store closures are now at their lowest rate since 2017 and openings are an increasing trend. However, retail footfall is still 10-20% below pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, the retail pop-up market is growing, with the number of pop-up shops in the UK increasing by around 18% over the course of 2022.** Blakely has been riding the wave of this trend, initially opening their Westfield store in Stratford as a pop-up shop in summer 2023. Gareth Newman, CEO at Blakely, notes that the store soon cemented a permanent position in their brand offering, as the team continued to see a strong interest in in-person shopping.

Blakely, founded in 2012, has primarily operated online, building a large social media community. Although, in recent years the brand has experienced success in an expansion to the high street. Gareth Newman says: “Brick-and-mortar stores drive the human connection we are all missing. After 3 years of lockdown and an eCommerce boom, a whole new generation of brands were born through social advertising and the increase of online shopping. 

“However, as we spend more and more time looking at our phones there could be a few reasons why consumers are looking to go back to the high street and shop in physical form. If the queues at Bicester Village on Boxing Day 2023 were anything to go by, shoppers are more keen than ever to have the in-store experience.”

Sources:
* https://www.pwc.co.uk/industries/retail-consumer/insights/store-openings-and-closures.html
** https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67911127

With overall in-person shopping footfall still being 10 to 20% below pre-pandemic levels, it’s too early to speak of a total comeback. However, Newman argues that there certainly is an appetite for ‘IRL retail’, particularly in an industry such as fashion: “By returning to stores not only are consumers able to get a feel for the brand but also a feel for the item. In one interaction, the customer can understand the brand, its shoppers and the quality of the item they are purchasing.”

Newman sees brick-and-mortar shops as a powerful way to build community and provide experiences that transcend the possibilities of just online shopping: “An immersive shopping experience has a deeper impact on customer loyalty than that of an online one. Blakely is capitalising on this with pop-up shops, events and most recently a new permanent store in Stratford Westfield which held an opening event with customers, influencers and celebrity guests.”

“Those looking to perhaps dip their toe into the yoga and wellness scene can arrive at an event and test out their new gym gear all at the same time. It is our ethos that brands which drive customer connection are more successful long term than those offering a surface level one.”

In 2024, Blakely is looking forward to exploring the in-person shopping experience, and continue building the brand’s community both online and offline.

News

Homes and Gardens Retailers Invited to Free Digital Marketing Event

A free in-person event is promising to arm homes and gardens retailers with the insights and knowledge that they need to maximise their digital marketing efforts in 2024.

Decoding Digital: Efficiency & Effectiveness in Home & Garden Marketing – is being hosted by sector-specific digital marketing experts Door4 on Thursday 22nd February at Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston (just off junction 31 of the M6). Register now to secure your place.

The event comes at a key time for homes and gardens retailers as industry experts IPA Bellwether predict that despite the current economic uncertainty, UK marketing budgets as a whole are set to increase in 2024 as brands look to remain active in the hope of a return to consumer confidence in the latter stages of the year.

But with increased spend comes increased competition. Brands looking to drive sales in the homes and gardens sector are not only competing against other retailers who are also upping their marketing activity; in 2024 ensuring the effectiveness of every pound spent on advertising and promotion within the heavily competitive furnishings and décor markets is a must.

“This interactive and hands-on event has been tailored specifically to help homes and gardens retailers navigate the digital landscape in these uncertain economic times, says Sean Dwyer, director at Door4 who will be speaking at the event.

“Spend may be predicted to be up in 2024 but in this crowded digital marketplace maximising return on investment is crucial – we will give retailers the insights they need to succeed.

“Attendees will learn how to stay ahead of the curve with innovative online strategies that can easily adapt to fluctuating consumer spending habits as economic forecasts evolve.

“We will also take a deep dive into how brands can develop messaging that resonates most with their audiences. We will focus on how to choose the most effective media channels and showcase the essentials needed to create distinctive brands that stand out.

“Our events are fun and interactive – there will be lots of opportunity for participation and a great chance to network with your peers. The event kicks off at 9am with a free hot breakfast, the presentation will begin at 9:30am.”