How Alibaba’s ‘New Retail’ totally changes the game for 11.11
David Lloyd, MD of UK/Ireland & Nordics for Alibaba Group, explains how the eCommerce giant’s ‘New Retail’ concept is impacting both online and in-store, including the fully digitised Hema grocery...
View ArticleBig Interview: EDF Energy shines a light on big data
Essential Retail sits down with EDF Energy to learn about its data-driven strategy which has improved customer service by focusing on client consent and long-term value.Retailers looking to make the...
View ArticleIs CX the latest retail buzzword?
Essential Retail asks RBTE’s advisory board whether ‘customer experience’ is just the latest in a series of retail technology buzzwords. Bricks & clicks, big data, multichannel, omnichannel – is...
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Big Interview: Lovehoney founder on creating the John Lewis of sex toys
Essential Retail meets Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford to discuss the building of a sex toy empire that is becoming truly mainstream. Former record producer Neal Slateford has come a long way since...
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Comment: The online marketplace opportunity
Monica Bird, head of marketplaces at standards organisation GS1 UK, suggests that the proliferation of online marketplaces has provided opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and expand.The...
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Five ways Walmart is taking on Amazon - part #1
Essential Retail shares five ways Walmart is taking on Amazon. In the first part of the series, we look at how Walmart has transformed its website to compete with the eCommerce giant.Amazon and Walmart...
View ArticleHow Asda uses data to put the customer first
Asda shares how it uses data to ensure customers remain at the heart of the business. Asda’s parent company, Walmart, is a big believer in using data to improve the customer journey, but without a...
View ArticleComment: Outdated regulations halt Uber in its tracks, but innovation must...
Feng Li, chair of information management, at Cass Business School, City, University of London, describes how innovation must not be hampered by outdated regulations.Ride-sharing company Uber has led a...
View ArticleJaguar Land Rover embraces connectivity to drive CX
Jaguar Land Rover describes how a smart use of advanced technology for customers can also have a direct impact on profitability.IT decision makers in all sectors must be alert to the power of digital...
View ArticleFive ways Walmart is taking on Amazon - part #2
Essential Retail shares five ways Walmart is taking on the eCommerce giant Amazon. In the second part of the series, we look at how Walmart has ramped up its acquisition of digitally-savvy businesses,...
View ArticleLowe’s expands in-store smart home initiative with b8ta
DIY retailer Lowe’s rolls out smart home store-in-store initiative to 70 locations in the US.US-based DIY retailer Lowe’s will open a new smart home concept in 70 of its stores across the country,...
View ArticleIkea UK sales growth supported by focus on accessibility and CX
New stores, the roll-out of click & collect, and online improvements all contributed to another year of UK sales growth at Ikea.Furniture and homewares retailer Ikea said investments in making the...
View ArticleClarks invests in JDA’s supply chain solutions
Footwear brand Clarks has made some strategic supply chain investments as it looks to increase back-end efficiency.Clarks has invested in new planning and fulfilment technology as part of a strategy to...
View ArticleComment: Why tech giants are investing millions in AI that can play video games
Peter Cowling, director of IGGI and DC Labs and professor of computer science at University of York, describes how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the video games industry.Artificial...
View ArticleBig Interview: How Pinterest hopes to boost sales via eCommerce
Adele Cooper, Pinterest’s country manager for UK and Ireland, talks to Essential Retail about working with businesses big and small in Blighty.When it comes to advertising on social media platforms,...
View ArticleAuto Trader creates targeted advertising with big data
Essential Retail speaks to Auto Trader to learn how it has been using big data and an advanced algorithm to segment its customers and create targeted advertising.A tight grip on big data is helping...
View ArticleFive ways Walmart is taking on Amazon - part #3
Essential Retail shares five ways Walmart is taking on the eCommerce giant Amazon. In the third part of the series, we look at how Walmart is creating an ecosystem of value for its customers.Amazon and...
View ArticleWhy Debenhams is betting on progressive web apps
As Debenhams steals a march on its rivals with the launch of a new mobile site for UK customers, Essential Retail takes a look at the rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and why the retailer has...
View ArticleHow does your garden grow?
How the SmartPlant app is helping garden centres cultivate digital growth.Everyone’s heard the old wive’s tale that talking to plants helps them grow better. But now retailers have teamed up with an...
View ArticleFurniture Choice launches new eCommerce site
Furniture Choice has created a new website and press portal. Furniture Choice has launched a new website which it hopes will improve customer experience. The independent online furniture retailer has...
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