Media Commentary 2018

This page provides a listing of, and links to, some of the media commentary produced by members of the Institute for Retail Studies on various retail related topics.

April 2018

Interview with Leigh Sparks on STV News on vacant shops and high streets, 11th April

High street in crisis as five shops go to the wall every week, comments by Leigh Sparks on Local Data Company and PwC report, Herald, 11th April

Insight: is in-store shopping past its sell by date in Scotland? Insight piece by @janekbradley including comments from Leigh Sparks, Scotland on Sunday, 8th April

March 2018

Just in time – interview with Leigh Sparks on Good Morning Scotland, 10th March following the “Beast from the East” and the impact on retail supply chains.

February 2018

Independent retailers and town centres – interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Cumbria, breakfast programme, 13th February

What locational factors drive independent businesses to prosper? Comments by Leigh Sparks, Speciality Food Magazine, 2nd February – pdf here.

January 2018

Vacancy rates in Scottish town centres rise but independent retailers cling on – comments on the LDC/University of Stirling Scottish Retail Report (November 2017), Scotsman , 25th January.

Amazon Go is a fist aimed at the convenience store industry – comments by Leigh Sparks, Axios, January 24th

Till-less shops will not replace traditional supermarkets any time soon – comments from Leigh Sparks, The Herald, 24th January

Changing retail landscape, retail job cuts and Amazon Go – interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, 24th January

Shop vacancy rates in Scottish town centres rises, comments from report by Leigh Sparks and Lorraine Ferguson (with the Local Data Company), Scotsman, 19th January.

Online sales drive next festive cheer – comment by Leigh Sparks on next Christmas sales, Scotsman, 3rd January

Argos Catalogues and buying habits, interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland, Kaye Adams programme, 3rd January

Professor’s collection catalogues changes in buying habits, Scotsman and the i, 3rd January – pieces on the Argos collection. Also Leader Comment in the Scotsman – Argos catalogues make a fascinating historical archive.