– Customer service levels have rapidly declined over the last decade, says KPMG/Ipsos Think Tank– Urgent action is needed to restore consumer confidence and repair the health of the sectorPart I: Executive SummaryIntroduction With the prolonged recession eroding consumer confidence, a combination of declining sales volumes and rising costs has seen most retailers reassess all facets of…
Introduction The middle of 2008 saw a dramatic sea change in the HR practices of many UK retailers. Driven by the need to cut their cost bases as market conditions took a turn for the worse, numerous retail businesses took decisive action to streamline their operations and reduce staff numbers and costs, both through natural…
Introduction As we approach the key Christmas trading period, the KPMG/Synovate Retail Think Tank’s (RTT) latest discussion focused on the challenges and impacts the sector faces during this crucial time for retailers. Christmas trading in 2009 will be set against a backdrop of this year’s tough economic conditions, part of the longest recession the UK…
Introduction The recent deliberations from the RTT showed that the three indicators of the health of UK retail – demand, margins and costs – had fallen to their lowest level since the group’s first meeting in early 2006. At the same time, there is much talk of an imminent UK recession. So, if the current…