Media Commentary

This page provides a listing of, and links to, some of the media commentary produced by Leigh Sparks on various retail related topics. Previous years media commentary can be found by following the links under this heading on the main page.

September

How Aldi burst into supermarket big league, Financial Times, 23rd Sept

Will Tesco’s move to self-service pay-off? Retail Gazette, 21st Sept.

The “middle of Lidl”: come for Shreddies, go home with a chain saw. Sunday Times, 11th September

July

Are employers preparing for more ‘trench warfare’ as cost of living soars? Includes comments on rates and town centres, Herald, 7th July

Scotland’s property tax system “penalises” high streets, Herald, 2nd July

June

Shopping: the cost of living crisis is hitting people “urgently and directly” – retail expert Q&A, The Conversation, 24th June, reblogged in at least Wales Online and Somerset Live

Shopper footfall figures- interview on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, 3rd June

April

Scottish Government and COSLA response to Town Centre Review published – interview on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, 13th April (and re-broadcast on BBC local radio)

Online sales tax could be introduced to regenerate Scotland’s high streets, Future Scot, 13th April (see also wired and Scottish Business Insider amongst others)

Redeveloping St Enoch Centre, Glasgow – interview on STV, 13th April

Fake retail reviews on Google and Amazon – interview with BBC Radio Scotland, 7th April

February

Soaring food prices serve up recipe for disaster, 13th February, Sunday Telegraph

Sparks fly over retail deal, Stirling Observer, 2nd February, see also Daily Record, 2nd February (Traders have been mightily let down by the panel’s decision)

January

Buchanan Galleries demolition, Herald and Evening Times, 24th January, Metro and Glasgow World, 25th January

Closure of iconic Marks and Spencer store, Scottish Daily Express, 19th January, and also STV News, 19th January

Discussion of Christmas trading results and changing patterns of shopping, BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, 13th January, c0846