The Future of Grocery Stores – A Vision from Asia

The Future of Grocery Stores – A Vision from Asia

  It is clear that operators of physical grocery stores are recognizing that they are in the midst of a war. Supermarkets and hypermarkets used to be the lions of the grocery jungle, but convenience stores, discounters and of course e-commerce are stealing shoppers at an alarming rate. This isn’t the death of physical grocery …

The Golden Rules of Using Retail Technology

The Golden Rules of Using Retail Technology

I was recently invited to present at IIexAsia2018, the globally renowned event for showcasing technology and research innovation. My presentation looked at how technology was changing the way people shopped, how technology could be used in the future, as well as some concerns about how these changes might adversely affect brands. The presentation was well-received, …

Private Label: Six key strategies for brands to compete

Private Label: Six key strategies for brands to compete

In the battleground that is retail today, retailers are turning to new (and old) strategies to win. Private label has been around for decades, but in recent times, around the world, I’ve seen a significant rise in the use of private label as a key retail strategy (check out this recent article about Target as …

As retail strategy shifts – don’t get caught off guard!

As retail strategy shifts – don’t get caught off guard!

It is probably fair to say that many hypermarket and supermarket chains have been slow to respond to the threats posed by massive changes in shopping behavior and retail structure. Sure, many have launched an online offer. Many have responded to the profit hit by squeezing their supplier base too. They’ve doubled down on discounts. …

Tesco Jack’s The New Discount Chain Is NOT About Price

Tesco Jack’s The New Discount Chain Is NOT About Price

Tesco,  current market leader in the United Kingdom, has just launched a discounter chain called Jack’s. The launch was supported by a fanfare focused on Tesco’s promise that Tesco Jack’s would undercut the established discounters on price. I’m a little skeptical to be honest. Actually I’ll go further. I’m convinced that this isn’t about price …