internationalisation Archives

The 4 reasons why retailers behave ethically & ‘change for the better’

The invasion of Ukraine, as with COVID before, is showing us the ‘Ethical DNA’ of our favourite brands & retailers There are 4 reasons why retail and consumer brands behave ethically and “change for the better.” It is simply in their DNA. They respond proactively by asking customers and staff how they should change. They respond reactively when falling customer loyalty, sales and profits force them to change. They only-

IKEA: The value of ‘groundwork’ not ‘deskwork’ . From ‘customer to community experiences!’

IKEA: ‘A lively happening’ coming soon to a place nearby There are many interesting learnings from the opening of the new IKEA shops across the globe, not least the fact that the roll-out is happening at a pace against a back-drop of shop closures, particularly amongst established chains. There is much to digest in the location of the shops, the retail and social environments that IKEA is creating around them,-

Judging begins for the VMRD Retail Design Awards 2022

It is that exciting time of year again, to begin judging the entrants for the 2022 VMRD Retail Design Awards. From experience as an awards presenter, I know that the ceremony itself is a great spectacle and a place of high excitement and emotion. These awards mean a lot in the retail industry in Asia and beyond. It is quite an accolade. However I have to say that I also-

The 6 Best Retail Strategies for 2022: No.5 Sustainability Strategies

Sustainability: Making more from less Time has long passed, from when a sustainable initiative was not much more than a smart marketing strategy. Sustainability has now irreversibly developed into something essential to establish commercial traction with many customers. Responsibility for sustainability has also shifted, from the marketing department to every department across a business. Products are being held up as icons of the sustainable age, and so too are the-

The 6 Best Retail Strategies for 2022: No.3 Supply Chain Strategies

Supply Chain Partners: In the same boat together The relationship with suppliers has never been so important. The COVID lockdown exposed the dangers of weak supplier integration, whilst the move to remote digital communications highlighted the opportunities for technology applications across new supply chains. Trust between some suppliers and retailers hit an all-time low as orders were cancelled and payments frozen. The repercussions of such actions will set back the-

The 6 Best Retail Strategies for 2022: No.1 Touchpoint & Location Strategies

Touchpoints: ‘Taking it to the customer’ The relationship is shifting from distinctive channels to a continuously changing number of touchpoints. These touchpoints cut across digital and physical channels. They are used by the customer as they please, often with little predictability. Speaking of channels is irrelevant. It is one brand delivering retail services to a transient customer. The touchpoints are used by the customer in two fundamental ways. For inspiration-

“Saving Planet Retail” From ‘Economies of Scale’ to ‘Scale of Economies!’

From ‘Economies of Scale’ to ‘Scale of Economies!’ The principle behind making money from ‘economies of scale’ is to produce high volumes of products, which reduces the individual unit cost. The more you make and the more you sell the greater the margin and the greater the profit. ‘Economies of scale’ profit is made in the buying process. The principle behind making money from ‘scale of economies’ is to generate-

Zara: moving stylishly from linear to lateral processes

Zara: moving stylishly from linear to lateral processes Linear processes push product through the system and into shops. They make money from buying & supply efficiency. Lateral processes consider at every stage the qualitative attributes of the product. They enhance and add-value to the assortment. They make money from selling. From selling more, and selling better. Zara at its inception, disrupted the balance of linear and lateral processes in its-

Apple: a business designed on simplicity

Apple: a business designed on simplicity The best advice I ever received in Design College? Keep things as simple as possible. The temptation always when seeking beauty through design is to add more ‘beautiful’ elements to it. In fact, the way to design beauty is to be brave enough to remove as much as you dare to reveal the absolute beauty of simplicity. I’m sure that Apple needs no more-

“Global Local Retailing” – Familiarity & Contempt in the Backyard

The Morning Post:- 14th March “Global Local Retailing” The combination of a powerful global brand with local creatives, craftsmen and manufacturers has to be a recipe for success in this international world with its ironically specific local tastes. Passing through central London on an Oxford Street East to West route taking in the crisp morning air it seems that the better US brands have come to understand this assortment strategy better-