In retail, corporate sustainability is no longer simply a marketing term. In fact, being environmentally conscious is now at the strategic core of some of the world’s largest companies. Chief executives like Virgin’s Richard Branson and P&G’s David Taylor are being proactive in their approach to sustainability – and some firms are going one step [...]
With the government’s new board of senior industry bosses aiming to boost diversity and inclusion in the workplace, having just met for the first time, it begs the question of why focusing on this issue is still important in 2019. The board of any business is its mind and its backbone. Ultimately, it makes the [...]
Pronouncements regarding the ‘death’ of high street travel retailing in the UK were clearly somewhat premature; as shown by the news that a rival is set to buy 555 of Thomas Cook’s stores. The move by Just Go Travel operator Hays Travel has the potential to save a substantial portion of the 2,500 retail jobs [...]
As the planet gets warmer and weather conditions become more and more extreme, UK retailers must prepare for increasingly unpredictable imports. Fruit and veg are particularly vulnerable to the precarious climate, and, given that over £20bn of UK imports comes from the stuff, it is worth going over exactly how this is happening. Here are [...]
It is generally accepted that the key to long-standing business achievement is to invest in staff. Yet many companies will wait to start their retail executive search only when a vacancy becomes available. We take a look at why this is a short-sighted approach, and why talent-mapping might help you avoid it in the future. [...]
Talent is what makes a company, but it can be tricky to pin down. The challenge is finding that perfect candidate: one that will get the best out of your staff. Too often hiring teams are faced with impossible choices, but finding a great applicant can feel like you have won the race. Whether you [...]
The UK has always had a flexible and changeable retail sector. It has some of the most vibrant high streets in the world, with Oxford Street consistently ranked highest in customer reviews. However, recent developments have meant that the appearance of these high streets is once more changing. Information from across the country suggests that [...]
Headhunting is often the best way to fill top vacancies, particularly when time is pressing. If you have a crucial executive vacancy that needs to be filled urgently, you need to avoid a long draw out recruitment campaign, and THEN having to wait for your ideal appointee to serve their notice period. Yet, despite its [...]
The UK retail industry announces another hit this week as high street clothing brand H&M announce their pre-tax profits for the financial year have dropped by over 70%. The clothing retail company which originated in Sweden in 1947, has become one of the UK's most recognised fast-fashion high street brands and have over 260 stores [...]
Saving the High Street may mean focusing on improving the skills of the British workforce. The think tank Centre for Cities has suggested that reviving the retail sector is something that can be done by upskilling people so that better jobs can be created, leading to increased spending power. Boosting local economies is an important [...]