Author: Dave Antrobus

John Lewis has received a remarkable response to the revival of its “Never Knowingly Undersold” pledge.The price match commitment was reintroduced after a two-year hiatus, resulting in increased customer engagement.CEO Peter Ruis reported significant organic website traffic, with 55,000 additional daily visits.The renewed pricing strategy has positively impacted unexpected product categories.Innovations such as AI technology play a key role in the programme’s success.John Lewis has witnessed an exceptional response from consumers following the reintroduction of its well-known “Never Knowingly Undersold” pledge. This decision comes after the company discontinued the promise two years ago, only to see a resurgence in customer…

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Tesco’s recent legal loss marks a significant moment in employment law in the UK.The Supreme Court ruled against Tesco’s ‘fire and rehire’ strategy for altering contracts.Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, was central to challenging Tesco’s employment practices.The decision reaffirms workers’ rights to previously agreed ‘retained pay’ benefits.This outcome could influence future employment disputes and corporate strategies.The UK’s Supreme Court has rendered a critical decision, rejecting Tesco’s attempt to employ ‘fire and rehire’ tactics to modify employee contracts. This move by Tesco aimed to replace existing contracts with less favourable terms, a practice opposed by the shopworkers’ union Usdaw. The ruling is…

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Wourth Group’s acquisition of Peter Hahn significantly boosts turnover.The newly rebranded group aims to cater to its over-50 demographic.Wourth Group’s strategy involves reviving companies acquired from administration.Home manufacturing and physical store strategy strengthens brand loyalty.Potential reopening of Peter Hahn’s UK website amidst Brexit challenges.The Wourth Group, formerly known as Woolovers, has expanded its portfolio by acquiring the German company Peter Hahn. This strategic purchase is projected to increase Wourth’s annual turnover from £110m to an impressive £300m. The acquisition exemplifies Wourth’s business model, which focuses on acquiring and revitalising companies facing administration. With a customer base primarily over 50, Wourth…

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Iceland launches an extensive new range of 800 products, diversifying its offerings across frozen foods, confectionery, and general merchandise.The latest additions include Jamie Oliver’s frozen food dishes and revamped Piccolino and Blue Dragon ranges.Products are available both in-store and online, catering to a wide customer base.New innovations focus on ready meals and family favourites, ensuring appealing choices for diverse tastes.Iceland aims to enhance customer experience by responding to shopper feedback with this broad product expansion.Trade publication Retail Gazette reported that Iceland and The Food Warehouse recently unveiled 800 new product lines, marking a significant extension to their existing range. This…

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Despite challenging weather conditions impacting European fashion retailers, Inditex reported significant profit growth.The group achieved a 10% rise in profits, linked to a 7.2% increase in sales, buoyed by successful spring/summer 2024 sales.Inditex’s diverse portfolio of brands including Zara saw substantial reception and growth, with autumn/winter collections showing promising early results.Technological advancements in stores have enhanced customer experience, contributing to a better sales process.The company anticipates robust future growth, focusing on improving its fashion lineup, customer engagement, and sustainability.In the face of adverse weather severely affecting fashion sales across Europe, Inditex, the parent company of Zara, showcased considerable resilience by…

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Amazon and Morrisons have enhanced their partnership, allowing customers to earn loyalty points when shopping at Morrisons via Amazon.The introduction of ‘More Points’ aims to improve the grocery shopping experience by rewarding purchases with redeemable points.This collaboration includes a new grocery day option, pre-reservation delivery features, and expanded access to grocery services.Non-Prime members can now shop for Morrisons products on Amazon, while Prime users gain additional delivery benefits.The initiative reflects a commitment to customer value and a strengthened partnership between Amazon and Morrisons.In a significant development, Amazon and Morrisons have broadened their partnership to offer a loyalty points system. Customers…

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The retail sector faces significant challenges with data management, impacting growth.84% of retail executives struggle with untapped data in delivery processes.Data silos hinder the integration of information across business systems.The latest report suggests solutions for leveraging delivery data effectively.Understanding and utilising delivery data can significantly drive growth.The retail industry is currently confronted with notable challenges related to data management, which impede potential growth and profitability. A significant 84% of retail executives report that they are unable to fully exploit the available data within their delivery processes, presenting a substantial hindrance to commercial opportunities.A primary concern is the presence of data…

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The ongoing competition among UK supermarkets for online dominance is heating up.Esteemed panellists weigh in on the digital shopping experience offered by Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Ocado.Each supermarket offers a distinct approach to user experience, delivery options, and payment processes.Differences in website design, app functionality, and customer service significantly affect user satisfaction.Overall, Ocado emerges as a leader due to its comprehensive service and customer-centric approach.In the current landscape of online grocery shopping, major UK supermarkets are vying for consumer attention through unique digital strategies. According to a panel of experts, Tesco boasts a clean and organised website, although…

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Net-A-Porter has enhanced its mentorship programme in collaboration with Mr Porter to support three new designers.The initiative is part of the Vanguard programme, aiming to nurture future designers, innovators, and tastemakers.Selected designers include Diotima, Liberowe, and Kartik Research, chosen for their commitment to sustainable design.The programme now includes two-year mentorships and digital ID technology in collections.Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter provide bespoke guidance and support, with mentors from global industry experts.Net-A-Porter, in collaboration with Mr Porter, has expanded its Vanguard mentorship programme to support emerging design talent. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of designers, innovators, and tastemakers, highlighting…

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The latest data from Kantar highlights significant shifts in the grocery market, as two leading retailers experience contrasting fortunes.Lidl’s sales have surged by 9.1%, bolstered by innovative marketing strategies and digital vouchers.Conversely, Asda’s market share has dropped by 1.2 percentage points due to a 5.6% decrease in sales.Ocado emerges as the fastest growing grocer, maintaining its growth trajectory for the seventh consecutive month.Amidst fluctuating grocery prices, inflation concerns persist among consumers despite recent reductions.The grocery market landscape is witnessing substantial changes, with Lidl outperforming many of its competitors during the recent quarter. Lidl’s sales increased by an impressive 9.1%, driven…

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