nickshanagher

If you earn your living in the retail industry the possibility that the business that you’re in will still exist in two, five and 10 years is very slim, says Doug Stephens, US retail expert in the first line of his new book The Retail Revival . “Sorry for the buzzkill,” he adds. “But it’s true.” Fizzing with ideas, this book is the start of a journey. Stephens tackles all of the issues that you’ve heard about, such as big data and showrooming and puts them into context. In a chapter entitled The Destination is You he discusses how mobile phones open up the possibility that big brands will find shoppers wherever they go. In the future as a customer is about to enter your shop, big brands could push promotions towards them and your competitors, like Tesco Express, could try and poach their business with a home delivery offer. Sam Walton’s reputation as a genius of retail comes under close scrutiny from Stephens. He argues that demographic changes lay behind the success ...