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Oliver Banks of OB&Co

Oliver helps retailers to change and transform their operating models. He's the host of the Retail Transformation Show podcast and founder of the RetailTransformation.Live virtual event

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Retail Transformation Briefing – 8th May

Hi Reader, On the surface, retail seems so simple. "It's only putting tins of beans on the shelf" was one quip that I recall hearing multiple times. But it's the combination of breadth and depth, alongside a huge number of highly volatile variables, that make great retailing both complex and complicated. And when it comes to transformation, it seems like there are a million things that get in the way of meaningful initiatives and the journey of change is never simple. So when companies manage...

5 days ago • 5 min read

Hi Reader, "Imagine you’re on a TV game show. The host challenges you to list as many retail technology opportunities as possible in 30 seconds. Ready, set, go! From mobile apps to robotics, from Big Data to the latest payment tech. We can’t forget AI or the metaverse either, perhaps the most iconic examples of tech hype. But with all of these concepts, a genuine challenge emerges: how to choose meaningful changes amidst the plethora of tempting innovative ideas." The above is from my recent...

13 days ago • 5 min read

Hi Reader, The passion in the retail industry is hugely infectious. We all partake in shopping as customers, and the industry is an enormous employer. Frontline colleagues are passionate about products and serving customers. Supply chain experts are passionate about getting global and local logistics clicking. Technologists are passionate about making shopping experiences seamless and simplifying operations. There is passion across the organisation and expertise in every aspect imaginable....

20 days ago • 4 min read

Hi Reader, Frozen food specialist Iceland is launching a customer-driven election manifesto ahead of the political elections later in the year. Executive Chair Richard Walker wants to give customers a voice and will supply the findings and recommendations to all political parties. The initiative will be informed by a small customer panel that meets regularly and a larger survey of Iceland customers. It's a really interesting initiative to help propel consumer views. And it got me thinking. A...

27 days ago • 4 min read

Hi Reader, I've been knocked out with illness this week but the world of retail transformation marches on, so here is your update on the evolution of the market. Sorry for the lateness! We've got an abundance of stories for you this week which really demonstrate some of the key themes that are driving incredible changes in the industry. Also, some exciting book news and the chance to meet up, more details below... Let's get into it. The John Lewis Partnership has announced its next Chair,...

about 1 month ago • 6 min read

Hi Reader, Amazon is making a significant shift to physical grocery stores. In its US-based Fresh stores, it's removing its Just Walk Out technology and replacing it with its smart shopping trolley, the Dash Cart. This is a big move for the retailer most closely associated with the checkout-free shopping proposition, at least in the Western world. Questions have always been raised over the amount of capital required to set up a single checkout-free store, never mind a whole estate of stores....

about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Hi Reader, The terrible collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, coupled with the ongoing tensions and attacks in the Red Sea, continues to intensify supply chain pressures. These events represent significant disruption for product businesses, impacting delivery schedules and spiralling costs upwards - hitting both customer experience and financial health hard. In this climate of heightened uncertainty and persistent global challenges, a company's ability to flex and adapt is...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

Hi Reader, A bumper horde of news headlines this week with a leaning to department stores. When an individual shop or whole chain of department stores closes, there is often customer outcry demonstrating that this format is still a much-loved part of the retail sector. However, as is the same for all retail businesses, the customer proposition has to be relevant to tempt consumers to make purchases. The operating model has to be an efficient and effective way to deliver that proposition...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

Hi Reader, This week, I've been at Retail Week x The Grocery Live 2024 which was packed insightful sessions exploring aspects like unified commerce, the store of the future, Tiktok, GenZ and of course AI. Inspired by the event, one of the main thoughts that has stuck in my head is around creativity. We're looking for creative solutions to problems but that doesn't necessarily mean that we need to go full-on into eclectic inventor mode. Creativity is more about how we can consider new ideas in...

2 months ago • 4 min read

Hi Reader, Firstly, I'm sorry that this week's Briefing is coming to you on a slightly delayed timescale.... it's been a little busy for me because: Driving Retail Transformation is officially out in the world and it's been an incredible week. I've loved seeing photos shared on social media or that people have been sending to me privately. Selfies with the book or me (or both). Freshly opened parcels with the book. Photos of quotes or references to sections that have really resonated. The...

2 months ago • 5 min read
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