Articles
Longer reads on strategy, retail and execution.
Latest articles
What FundForum International revealed about the future of investment management
Takeaways from an asset/wealth management industry conference: AI, digital engagement, tokenisation and trust as differentiators.
Retail in 2026: Discovery, Retail Media and the Physical–Digital Crossover
Part four of a retail-trends series arguing that product discovery now spans search, social and stores, and that physical retail must connect confidently with digital demand.
Retail in 2026: Why Stores Are Now Treated as Competitive Systems
Part three of the series, arguing retailers now treat stores as complex systems where experience, operations and execution must work together at scale.
Retail in 2026: AI, Workforce Pressure and the Reality of Execution
Part two of the series on how AI is reshaping retail operations, and why execution capacity and workforce reality determine success in 2026.
Retail in 2026: Value and Trust in the In-Store Experience
Opening part of the series arguing value and trust are now baseline expectations in retail, and that clarity in physical space is critical to shopper decisions.
Predictions for Retail in 2026
Retail forecasts for 2026 from Paragon Global Brands leadership on AI, RetailOS and balancing technology with human expertise amid regulatory and consumer budget pressure.
From Stands to Strategy
Argues leading brands now treat exhibitions as long-term brand-building strategy rather than isolated sales events, citing Changan Automotive's UK launch, Babcock, Arcadis and Aldi's 43-stand DPRTE event.
Experience Is the New Marketing
Argues exhibition stands must prioritise immersive experience over static display, citing Aldi, Johnson Controls, ebm-papst, Babcock, Arcadis, Changan Automotive and National Grid.
Five Questions Every Retailer Should Ask Before Their Next POS Tender
Sets out five questions retailers should ask POS suppliers at tender stage, covering scale, deadlines, compliance and cost, referencing a 500+ store national rollout.
The Reliability Gap in POS - And How to Close It
Advises retailers on preventing delays and inconsistency in POS material delivery through supplier vetting and multi-site logistics, citing Gymshark's national “We Do Gym” window campaign.
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Making Real Connections
Why physical retail and in-store digital displays are regaining importance for driving sales, using data capture and dynamic screens.
Enhance your customer engagement: five steps to a perfect digital-physical mix
Five strategies for blending digital and physical customer engagement, credited to Paragon DCX's Operations Director.
10 Ways to Make Your Pop-Up Look Like a Flagship Store
Advises retail brands on making temporary pop-up spaces feel as premium as permanent flagship stores through layered design, signage and lighting.
Reusable, Modular, Scalable - The Future of Pop Up Displays
Explains how reusable, modular pop-up display systems cut cost and improve sustainability for brands rolling campaigns out across multiple locations.
Retail Evolution
External contributor piece on post-COVID retail evolution, shopper missions and AI's role, referencing Adidas, Lego, Coca-Cola, GSK, McDonald's and Estee Lauder.
How to Win at the Moment of Truth
In-store purchase decision strategies: behavioural triggers, omnichannel consistency and control over in-store execution.
Making It Personal - Visual Storytelling, Localisation & The In-Store Experience
Explores how localised in-store graphics and storytelling build emotional connection in retail, citing Gymshark's and Lacoste's Regent Street flagships.
Rethinking Sustainability in Retail: Innovation, Impact and Action
Looks at how sustainability has become a competitive advantage rather than a compliance box-tick in retail, covering material innovation and circular-economy thinking.
Why Physical Retail Still Matters in an Omnichannel World
Argues physical stores remain essential brand-experience platforms within omnichannel strategy, citing Gymshark's move into physical retail.
Sustainability in Sports Graphics: Enhancing Fan Experiences Responsibly
Advisory piece on sustainable materials and digital alternatives in sports branding and wayfinding, illustrated by a recycled-fabric Emirates FA Cup pitch cover at Wembley.
What's Changing in Retail 2025
Three 2025 retail/supply-chain trends: in-store POS sensors, EU Deforestation Regulation compliance, and AI in the supply chain.
Have you ever considered cheating on your marketing team?
The case for marketing outsourcing/agency augmentation, citing Molson Coors/Staropramen, John Lewis and Grosvenor/Rank Group.
EU Deforestation Regulation Explained
Explains EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements for regulated commodities and the impact on retail packaging and POS material sourcing.
How to Choose a POS Partner
Three factors for global brands choosing a POS partner: engineering expertise, delivery reliability and quality assurance.
How to Launch in New Markets
Guidance for launching POS campaigns internationally: supply chain, logistics, site selection and tax/payment considerations.
Three Rules for Brand Growth
Applies Kantar's 'Blueprint for Brand Growth' rules to POS activations.