Category: internationalisation
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Conran Shop–Modern Britain’s Original Tastemaker
The lessons for us all: “Don’t diversify and dilute unique origins & heritage. Focus on them, build on them, and make them relevant for today.” Terence Conran was a young designer in the early 1970s who was inspired on a visit to Amsterdam. He loved the way that Dutch houses left open their curtains at…
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Are Trump’s tariffs a test of our true appetite for circularity?
in assortment structure planning, circular retailing, disruptive retail, ethical retailing, fashion, fast fashion, internationalisation, meaning in the retail madness, product suppliers, re-sell, recycling, renting, repair, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, sustainabilityThe continuing trade wars led by Trump’s tariffs have the stock markets tumbling, whilst manufacturers, producers and retailers are re-calculating their plans to continue turning a profit, or even to survive. We have governments throwing out ethical & sustainable policies as they scramble to get the best trading deals for each country. And we have…
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Is a global fashion business without global creativity the biggest waste of human resources?
I’ve always found it very strange that many of the factories that are required to churn out mindless, repetitive fashions for global brands, are in countries which naturally have the most beautiful fabrics, designs, colours, fashion sense, and artisan skills to create extraordinary and original clothing. It is even stranger when you consider that the…
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“Shein don’t Cheat, they Compete!” – Discuss…
in assortment structure planning, ethical retailing, fabrics, fashion, fast fashion, internationalisation, ladies fashion, meaning in the retail madness, product development, product suppliers, pureplay, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, social savvy, supply-chains, sustainability, value retailingAnd then suddenly from the Shein silence, the non-communication with government committees, potential shareholders and the general public, we have Peter Pernot-Day, Shein’s head of strategic and corporate affairs in North America, the UK and Europe, speaking to delegates at Retail Week’s Live 2025 conference. Firstly, thank you to Retail Week for sharing his speech…
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Vans West End: Owning & creating a customer destination
in branding & visual communication, customer experience, customer-engagement, disruptive retail, footwear, in-store services, internationalisation, leisure & sport, location strategy, new retail, product development, retail, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail strategy, shop of the future, space management, space planning, store experience, store layout, store theatre, visual merchandisingThe brave & extraordinary Vans West End is a shop, a skate-park, an exhibition and a concert venue. Within this complexity it has a simple message for retail brands. “Customer community & loyalty must come through more than just selling product. It must come through ‘owning’ something which is central and essential to your customer…
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‘Making the most of the winter blues?’ IKEA have it in the bag!
in assortment structure planning, branding & visual communication, customer experience, customer-engagement, disruptive retail, food & drink, home, in-store services, internationalisation, location strategy, packaging, personalisation, pop-up stores, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail management, retail strategy, sales promotions & events, shop of the future, store experience, store theatre, telling product stories, town centre planning, visual merchandising, windowsIKEA is so much more than a retailer of things. It is a business driven by a philosophy of innovation and ideas, and not least, a dry Scandinavian sense of humour. The brand will magnificently be seen in all of its glory soon, when it opens its London West End flagship store in Oxford Circus,…
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Brompton bikes back-peddling through the turmoil of Supply & Demand!
Brompton bikes were first invented in 1975. Their story is one of supply & demand. From high demand and little competition to market saturation. It is a lesson in retail economics for all of us. Brompton is known as an innovator in the world of cycling. The brand that developed an urban bike that commuters…
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Will it be complex evidence or trusted witnesses that change the verdict of fast-fashion consumers?
So, it’s been a week when Shein has never been far from the news. Firstly with a pitiful account of itself in front of the government committee, and then the fallout and discussions on why customers shop with them, will they continue to shop with them, and what will it take for them ever to…
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Søstrene Grene: Sisters delightfully doing it for themselves!
in accessories, assortment structure planning, branding & visual communication, customer experience, customer-engagement, fashion accessories, health & beauty, home, impulse retailing, internationalisation, jewellery, multi-category, new retail, packaging, Pinterest Gallery, retail, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail strategy, sales promotions & events, space management, space planning, store experience, store layout, store operations, store theatre, sustainability, telling product stories, value retailing, visual merchandising, visual merchandising operationsSøstrene Grene simply means the Grene sisters, in Danish. However, when it comes to this wonderful retailer of everything from spices to pencils, candles to cardigans, that is the only thing which is simple or ordinary. As they say, this is a delightfully different store! The brand paints a picture of two sisters, Anna &…
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How can a truly sustainable brand embrace the concept of growth?
As with all things sustainable the answer is often complex and multi-layered. This question is no exception. Just like many consumers I’ve sifted through all the general data and detailed product specifications to try to work out how sustainable a brand, or a individual item actually is. How much damage am I doing to the…
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