MBS Intelligence
Retail

“Determined commerciality and generosity of spirit”: in conversation with…
Every year in December I make my annual trip ‘home’ to Cape Town. It is something that I have done for the past 30 years, and this year was no different. But, no sooner had I arrived than the country went into...

A tumultuous year for retail: in conversation with Helen…
If there were a league table of the holders of the most stressful jobs in retail in 2020, then Helen Dickinson, as CEO of the British Retail Consortium, would be near the top. Representing 170 major retailers, who...

Celebrating Shreeji: a newsagent like no other
When I first moved to London in the late ‘80s, I lived in a one-roomed apartment on Chalcot Square, Primrose Hill - a stone’s throw away from our office, which, sadly, I have not worked in since the 17th...

Celebrating Anne Pitcher and her contribution to the retail…
Back in March, I wrote my annual column on International Women’s Day, celebrating the inspiring female leaders who had been nominated for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman and Bold Future Awards. Sitting on the judging...

Lessons from Asia: Preparing for the ‘new normal’ –…
Businesses across Asia have been engulfed in managing responses to Covid-19 since early January. Now, months after the initial lockdown period started in the region, there are undoubtedly lessons to be learnt from our...

A nation of shopkeepers: proud to serve in a time…
What a week! Our world, at least temporarily, is almost unrecognisable. As individuals, families, communities and businesses we are being tested in ways we haven’t seen for generations. Our consumer sectors are under...

“These are the stories that line our shelves”: how…
Why is it that so many of us are drawn to unique, founder-led stores that are driven by storytelling? Could it be because we are often yearning for something personal with which we can find a connection? With...

Exit through the gift shop: desperately seeking differentiation
On a cold and crisp day last Sunday, I experienced London at its best. My first port of call was the Royal Academy to see two world-renowned British artists: Antony Gormley followed by Lucian Freud. Both exhibitions...

Australia: leading the way
I have just returned from visiting our clients in Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealanders were still reeling from their loss against England in the Rugby semi-finals – so it was very easy to move the...
Latest Retail News
Costco wholesale corporation acquires minority interest in Costco-Taiwan US-based Costco Wholesale Corporation has purchased 45% minority interest in its joint venture Costco-Taiwan for $1bn, through a wholly-owned subsidiary. The wholesaler now indirectly owns all of Costco-Taiwan. Read more.
Seasalt halts sale process The Cornish-based lifestyle retailer has been looking into a potential sale and has been bringing in investors after seeing a boom in sales last summer. However, the company has now stopped the sale process due to uncertain market conditions. Read more.
Great Cornish Food Store becomes employee-owned Cornwall’s independent Great Cornish Food Store is to become an employee-owned business as it celebrates six successful years since its launch. Read more.
M&S boosts back-to-school brand offering M&S has announced plans to significantly expand its third-party childrenswear offering in stores. The retailer will introduce Clarks to 27 M&S stores, Smiggle to 60 stores, Hype to eight stores and Kickers and Jansport to online platform M&S.com. Read more.
Heal’s unveils plans to remodel London flagship Heal’s has revealed plans for a major transformation of its flagship Tottenham Court Road store, with the retailer set to take over the ground floor and basement space, previously occupied by Habitat. Read more.
Hotter Shoes’ parent Unbound Group launches multi-brand platform Unbound has announced the initial partner brands comprising its new multi-brand apparel and footwear platform, which includes Geox and Skechers. It also said that Hotter has been trading in line with expectations since its quarterly update issued in May. Read more.
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