Kieran Howells

London

Head Of Content at HR Grapevine

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Articles

The retail transformation gap: Why mid-sized and DTC brands are outpacing the giants

2 weeks ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Retailers understand the urgency of modernisation, yet insights from ‘The Race to Unified Commerce’ – a recent report by retail technology specialists PMC – expose a growing execution gap. As customer expectations evolve, it’s not the biggest players, but the most adaptable ones that are taking the lead. In a market defined by speed and connected experiences, mid-sized and digitally mature direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are outperforming the legacy giants.
Retail Gazette's Boardroom community rolls into London next week

3 weeks ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Retail has always been fast-moving. It’s an industry full of professionals who thrive in vibrant chaos. However, in 2025, the pace of change is unlike anything the industry has faced before. From shifting consumer behaviour and supply chain uncertainty, to ongoing economic instability and legislation changes, retailers are being pushed to act quicker, think smarter, and build organisations that can move with the times. For many leaders, that’s easier said than done.
Endless Aisle Live makes its return to London this month

1 month ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Retail leaders know all too well that time is their most valuable currency. Between high-stakes decisions, team management, and navigating an ever-shifting landscape, stepping away from the day-to-day for an industry event is a gamble. It needs to pay back in real insight, not in glossy pitches or recycled talking points. This is precisely where the swiftly approaching Endless Aisle Live London event, owned and operated by unified commerce experts NewStore, looks to set itself apart.
Next-level CX: 5 must-have strategies for online retail in 2025

1 month ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Online retail in 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging arena. Among the quagmire of noise within the space, the brands that are cutting through aren’t just keeping up with change – they’re driving it. With consumers expecting instant gratification, deeper personalisation, and seamless interactions across every touchpoint, it’s vital that retailers evolve beyond transactions and create experiences that feel intuitive, engaging and frictionless.
5 things challenging retailers in pricing strategy

1 month ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

When slashing price becomes the only lever a retailer pulls, value disappears and so do profits. That was the prevailing mood at a recent Retail Gazette roundtable, where a group of senior retail leaders gathered to debate the state of pricing strategy in 2025.
Listen: Transforming returns from a cost drain to a money maker

2 months ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Why smart retailers are reimagining their returns strategies – and reaping the rewards…Returns. They aren’t fun. In fact, for most retailers, they’re the elephant in the warehouse – a painful yet unavoidable part of doing business. And while they may seem like just another operational necessity, returns are anything but neutral. They’re expensive, time-consuming, and often fraught with complexity, especially in a retail landscape where consumer expectations are higher than ever.
5 things not to miss at the 2025 Retail Technology Show

2 months ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

One of the most electric events on the global retail calendar is about to head to London once again. The Retail Technology Show 2025 lands at the ExCeL next week, promising two days of unmissable insights, innovation, and inspiration for every corner of the retail ecosystem.
AI scheduling in retail: Addressing efficiency, compliance and employee satisfaction challenges in the UK

2 months ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Retail leaders in the UK currently face a critical challenge – balancing efficiency, compliance, and employee satisfaction amid a myriad of labour shortages, shifting consumer expectations and post-Brexit workforce regulations. In the chaotic modern business world, those traditional workforce management approaches that once cut the mustard are no longer sustainable.
Listen: How to truly measure the cost of customer acquisition

2 months ago | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

In our latest episode of Retail Gazette’s Retail Unpacked podcast, we sit down with Phil Alltoft, commercial lead at Novuna, one of the UK’s leading financial services company. Leaning on Alltoft’s many years of customer-centric experience, we unpack one of retail’s biggest blind spots – customer acquisition costs (CAC).
Sustainability in retail: Five key trends driving the demand for responsible business

Jan 17, 2025 | retailgazette.co.uk | Kieran Howells

Sustainability has evolved from a niche consideration to a core business strategy, especially in the retail sector. As consumers grow more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their purchases, businesses face pressure to show responsible practices. A 2023 McKinsey report revealed that 60 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, indicating a shift toward ethical consumption. As this demand expands, retailers have to adapt to stay competitive.