Retail reimagined

Innovations from leading brands.

Curious how retailers like Tesco, Kingfisher, Curry’s, All Saints, and Dr. Martens are adapting to a fast-changing landscape? Our latest insights reveal how brands are embracing new revenue models, harnessing first-party data, and strengthening customer loyalty despite economic headwinds.

This report covers key retail trends, from marketplace expansion to AI-driven personalisation. Kingfisher shows how third-party partnerships can quickly grow product ranges and traffic, while Tesco leverages Clubcard data for smarter advertising that benefits both customers and suppliers.

Across fashion, electronics, and grocery, retailers gain a competitive edge with seamless fulfilment and data-driven strategies. Brands like All Saints excel in storytelling, Curry’s focuses on repair services, and Co-op drives quick commerce innovation.

Executive summary

Retail Week Live in London convened over 500 retailers and over 44 speakers to spotlight transformation and innovation within the sector. Attendees discussed how to balance economic challenges (rising costs, new taxes) with customer-centric growth, digital acceleration, and purpose-driven culture.

Despite budgetary and policy-related concerns, the consensus was that data-led retail, strengthened by agile internal cultures and collaborative supplier relationships, paves the way for sustained profitability and heightened customer loyalty.

Key takeaways & detailed analysis

  • Rising operational costs
    Retailers highlighted the financial strain from higher National Insurance thresholds, increased business rates, and overall inflation. These pressures limit investment capacity – potentially slowing innovation and forcing some price adjustments.
  • Retail media monetisation
    Tesco and Superdrug showcased how retail media networks (onsite ads, sponsored product listings) can become significant income sources. First-party data from loyalty programs (e.g., Clubcard, Health & Beautycard) drives targeted advertising and better measurement. Standardising incrementality and ROI metrics is an industry-wide priority.
  • Strategic responses
    Many are streamlining operations and prioritizing ROI-focused projects. Senior leaders advocated a policy shift toward more phased-in tax measures, suggesting that a more predictable environment could unleash greater job creation and innovation.
  • Marketplace growth
    Kingfisher and Mirakl illustrated how third-party selling can expand product ranges, attract more traffic, and generate additional commission revenue. Marketplaces also enable retailers to rapidly test new categories without the overhead of sourcing inventory themselves.
  • Seamless customer journeys
    AllSaints and Neal’s Yard Remedies emphasised consistent brand storytelling across stores, websites, and social platforms. In-store experiences – like personalised styling or wellness treatments – must be reflected online to reinforce brand identity.
  • Data & personalisation
    CDPs (customer data platforms) and integrated CRMs help create a single customer view, driving more accurate personalisation. Retailers aim to capture, unify, and activate data on purchase history, browsing, and loyalty status for tailored offers.
  • Delivery & fulfilment
    Quick commerce options (30-minute or same-day delivery) increasingly differentiate customer experience, noted by Co-op among others. Frictionless returns – buy online, return in-store – are seen as crucial loyalty drivers.
  • Predictive tools & efficiency
    Machine learning is already standard for supply chain forecasting, dynamic pricing, and staff scheduling. Generative AI is expected to transform product recommendations, chatbot capabilities, and real-time personalisation.
  • Early success stories
    Curry’s applied AI to contact centres and repair services, boosting self-service options and staff skill sets. Leaders predict that AI-driven solutions will further accelerate e-commerce conversion and in-store decision-making.
  • Live shopping & short-form video
    Platforms like TikTok Shop showed strong revenue potential (e.g., Lux Collective achieving £2M in sales), though measurement remains tricky. Instagram Live also serves as a channel for real-time demos and Q&A sessions.
  • Leveraging influencers
    Influencer-led campaigns tap into niche communities, driving both brand discovery and direct sales. Long-term relationships (rather than one-off posts) yield higher trust and authenticity.
  • Workforce engagement
    High turnover underscores the need for employee development, training, and purpose as retention tools. Store associates are evolving into brand ambassadors, creating employee-generated social content and specialised services.
  • Sustainability efforts
    Curry’s, Dr. Martens, and AllSaints highlighted repair and recycling initiatives. Circular economy models – refurbished electronics, re-commerce for fashion – build loyalty while reducing environmental impact.

Conclusion

Retail Week Live crystallised a vision of customer-centric, data-informed, and resilient retail operations. From marketplace expansions and retail media to AI-powered personalisation and rapid fulfilment, the sector is embracing numerous innovations to stay competitive.

While rising costs and budget constraints pose near-term challenges, the collective message was optimistic: retailers who invest strategically in transformation, foster a strong internal culture, and collaborate with partners can secure long-term growth and consumer loyalty.

Critical elements for success include:
  • Seamless omnichannel experiences: Unified tech stacks and consistent messaging across digital and physical channels.
  • Operational flexibility: Agile organisational structures able to pivot quickly in response to shifting consumer demands and policy changes.
  • Workforce & culture: Empowered employees drive superior customer service and reinforce brand values.
  • Purpose & sustainability: Repair services, circular models, and transparent eco-credentials are increasingly central to brand differentiation.