Shearling jackets will be the outerwear trend of the season"
Geoff Smith
Recent activity
Comments (6)
-
Comment on: Xmas Sale watch: Marks & Spencer slashes 30% off clothing
I think it is a big mistake introducing 30% off at this next stage of the Thursday promos, pre-Christmas. It would be wholly understandable to maintain the 20% Thursday promo, pre-Christmas but the relatively minor amount earned by the extra 10% of some products is not going to have a major, incremental effect on footfall. Also, the message is a bad one to send to the City and the media...panic? I would have kept the 20% promos going (a consistent strategy) and have a strategically, ruthless SALE in January...people will still come out for the SALES...that's the time to hit REALLY hard. No this smacks of someone loosing their nerve at M&S! Geoff Smith, Retail Brand Marketing
-
Comment on: George Davies plots next venture
I think it's great that George is thinking on a new project. He is absolutely right that now is just the time to challenge the doom & gloom scenario....provided, of course, that he has the unique 'offer' to support such optimism. Well, he's proved before that he has the midas touch, so why should this be any different! Good luck, George, can't wait to see what evolves. So nice to read something so positive! Geoff Smith, Retail Brand Marketing
-
Comment on: Harvey Nichols opens Jakarta store
Harvey Nichols is a brand with a genuine global growth strategy. In these difficult times, their global business gets stronger and stronger with footfall and conversion leading the way. With each flagship opening comes an addition to their brand value It's a 'no brainer' to me that with 100 persons across the globe for each 1 in the UK, the market opportunities are huge. I cannot understand why any business would not want to take advantage of going international if they were in a position to do so. International is not just for the big retailer. For SME retailers in the UK facing gloom and doom then this might be a route to survival, if there was good marketing proposition in place. The retailer with a small number of shops might find it a great opportunity….. not just for survival but for future success. Geoff Smith, Retail Brand Marketing Ltd
-
Comment on: Baugur assessing restructuring options
It was clear to me from The Times mapping of the Iceland/Baugur/UK interdependences in the paper of Tuesday 7th October that the repercussions for the UK High Street would be significant. As we move into this phase with Sir Phillip Green and private equity houses surrounding the retail wagon train it is possible that one retailer after another will be picked off one by one in the fight for interests in the companies involved. I think it is a shame that Sir Phillip, for all his retail guile and dominance of the High Street, and the faceless money men of private equity houses, should be the ones who are in contention for 'rescuing' the situation. It's the same old UK High Street dominance. Lord Kirkham (in RW of last week) compelled everybody to 'think outside the box'. He is absolutely right. There are other potential solutions that could allow for new retail synergies and a spicing up of the UK High Street .... developing the best of what's there already and taking it to the next level. Whatever happens, it will be a tragedy if the efforts of so many good retailers over many years are sacrificed when all they have done is concentrated on delivering what the customers really want and delivered it. Geoff Smith
-
Comment on: Ted Baker profits rise 5.4%
Through the gloom and despondency of the UK retail market there is a common theme coming through from retailers like M&S, Ted Baker and Mosaic. Things may be tough 'at home' but International is where it's at! M&S is suffering but not overseas; Tesco is on a roll, thanks to its continuing international initiatives; Ted Baker is a growing world brand; Karen Millen of Mosaic has nearly half its sales overseas! So what does this tell us? Well, for every 1 person in the UK there are roughly 100 out there on the planet. Companies that choose their targets wisely can ride the storm. Businesses with a 'balanced portfolio of target markets' can ride the storm.....look for the markets that continue to do well, e.g. Middle East, India, China, ....there are some big sales numbers to be had! Ironically, it is retail SME's that can potentially change strategy quickly (with the right help)....in these cases, it could mean the difference between survival or extinction. Geoff Smith, Retail Brand Marketing
