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EDITORIAL Assessing the implications for retail: from the Conservative election victory to changing shopper behaviour

In today’s InternetRetailing we’re reporting after the Conservative victory in yesterday’s general election. We take a look at what the victory means for online and multichannel retailers, with reference to the EU UK Withdrawal Agreement, the Conservative party manifesto, and we report on what the British Retail Consortium is asking the new government.

We also report as retailers Superdry and Dixons Carphone report falling half-year sales and pre-tax losses – and explain how they’re planning to turn around their businesses. Both are looking to multichannel to improve the way they sell. Superdry is months into a business reset that aims to improve the way it sells both online and in-stores. Its solutions including stocking more products online and in-stores while also resisting discounting in order to strengthen its brand. Meanwhile Dixons Carphone is investing in its infrastructure both online and in-store as it looks to make it ever easier for shoppers to buy. Along the way it’s turning its stores into “exciting, enticing destinations for face-to-face advice and demos”. Both retailers show that their stores are key in making it easy and convenient for shoppers to buy.

Our latest peak trading 2019 round-up looks at suggestions that shoppers are planning to cut back on how much they spend this Christmas, for reasons both of affordability and of sustainability – and how retailers might approach changing shopping habits. 

Elsewhere, Ocado has reported sales growth and says that its switch from supplying Waitrose products to those of its new 50% owner M&S will be eased by the news that many substitutions can be made at the same or a lower price. And New Look has appointed a new chief executive to lead it as it continues through its omnichannel transformation.

In today’s guest comment, James Baker, digital customer experience lead at Columbus, argues that a unified commerce strategy could prove key to improving the customer experience.

Image: Fotolia

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