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.
December 2014
McLellan’s Edinburgh – comment on the blog by Leigh Sparks on the meaning of footfall, Edinburgh Evening News, 19th Dec
So what kind of Christmas shopper are you – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 19th December
Interview with Leigh Sparks on the November retail sales figures and footfall, on Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 17th December.
Interview with Leigh Sparks on the continuing rise of internet shopping, on Newsdrive, BBC Radio Scotland, 9th December.
East Kilbride Shopping Centre management contests vacant shop survey findings, comment on our report in the Daily Record, 5th December
Tis the season to spend, spend, spend, Commentary by Leigh Sparks in The Conversation, 2nd December
Brief interview clip with Sparks Sparks on the Scotland’s Retail Summit Report, on BBC Scotland main news, BBC TV Scotland, 2nd December.
Interview with Leigh Sparks on the Scotland’s Retail Summit Report, on the John Beattie Radio Show, BBC Radio Scotland, 2nd December.
Interview with Leigh Sparks on the Scotland’s Retail Summit Report, on Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 2nd December.
4 in 10 empty shops in Scotland vacant for years – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 2nd December
Report records fall in shop vacancy rates – comment by Leigh Sparks, BBC News Online, 2nd December
Vacancy rate on Scotland’s streets falls to 13.7% – comment by Leigh Sparks, Retail Week, 2nd December.
Discussion on the Black Friday, Americanisation and retailer/consumer hype on the John Beattie Radio Show, BBC Scotland, 1st December.
November 2014
Does Black Friday chaos mean we are becoming the 51st state? – comments by Leigh Sparks, Herald, 30th November
Dressed to impress – includes a quote from Leigh Sparks on Christmas window displays – Edinburgh Evening News, 21st November
Kirsty Dorsey: Town centre traders face challenge – Leigh Sparks mentioned in this opinion piece on issue in town centres, Scotsman, 16th November
Leigh Sparks mentioned by Towns Minister in Scottish Parliament Debate on Town Centre Action Plan One Year On. 4th November
Discussion on the Town Centre Action Plan One Year On on Morning Call Radio Show, BBC Scotland, 4th November.
October 2014
Predicted boom in store as droves of shoppers expected at new TK Maxx – comment by Leigh Sparks on new Stores at Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh Evening News, 29th October
Are today’s throwaway generation killing DIY? – comment by Leigh Sparks on the closure of a quarter of all Homebase stores, Scotsman, 22nd October
Carrier bag cheats short-change charities – comment by Leigh Sparks on the introduction of the carrier bag charge in Scotland, Scotsman, 21st October
Discussion on the introduction of the single use carrier bag charge in Scotland on the John Beattie Radio Show, BBC Scotland, 20th October.
September 2014
Pressure grows on Big 4 supermarkets – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 30th September
Overcoming unfamiliarity key to success – comment by Leigh Sparks on Aldi, Scotsman, 30th September
August 2014
Leigh Sparks mentioned in Scottish Parliament debate “Celebrating the contribution of independent retailers to the Scottish economy”, as was the Carnegie Understanding Scottish Places project in which Stirling is a partner. 19th August. Debate available here.
Twenty Years of Internet Shopping – (brief) interview clip of Leigh Sparks discussing the topic on the STV News at Six, 11th August.
Russian sanctions could lead to fruit and vegetable price cuts – comment by Leigh Sparks, Herald, 11th August.
Putin’s Ukraine action could slash UK’s food bills – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotland on Sunday, 10th August.
Empty shop legislation eased to boost centres. Comment by Leigh Sparks on changes in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Evening News, 7th August.
Man (n): hunter, gatherer, luxury goods consumer. Comment by Leigh Sparks on male grooming and luxury goods consumption (yes, I am well aware of the irony), Scotsman, 7th August.
July 2014
Business group calls for cash injection to boost town centres. Mentions the work of Stirling and Local Data Company on vacancies, Herald, 21st July.
The bargains for consumers are lessons for retailers. Comment by Leigh Sparks on the Aldi price of school uniforms, Scotsman, 17th July.
Interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland, Newsdrive, about plastic bag use and charges, 16th July
Save our high streets and put town centres first, councils urged. Comment by Leigh Sparks on the COSLA/Scottish Government agreement on Town Centre First, Scotsman, 10th July.
June 2014
Waverley station tipped to become shopping mecca. Comment by Leigh Sparks on potential plans for Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, Edinburgh Evening News, 24th June.
On the grapevine: Scottish vineyard owners. Comment by Leigh Sparks on links to New Zealand wine industry and Scottish branding, Scotland on Sunday, 15th June.
Interview with Leigh Sparks about retailing in Scotland and Scotland’s Towns Partnership, p37-38 of The Holyrood Magazine, 9th June 2014. Available here and at http://www.holyrood.com
Interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, about Tesco’s first quarter results and the state of the grocery market, 4th June
May 2014
£100,000 for project aiming to reinvent the high street. Comment by Leigh Sparks on the Technology Strategy Board project awarded to miconex and linked to the University of Stirling. Herald, 30th May.
Interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, about Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Scotland’s Towns, 14th May
Interview with Leigh Sparks on the Sunday Politics Show, BBC Scotland about the value of Business Improvement Districts, 4th May.
April 2014
St James Centre revamp can echo Birmingham revival – comments by Leigh Sparks, Edinburgh Evening News, 30th April
What now for Jenners as Chinese take over – comment by Leigh Sparks, Edinburgh Evening News, 15th April
March 2014
Changing face of supermarkets and grocery retailing by Leigh Sparks, interviewed in BBC Radio Scotland Business Scotland, 22nd and 23rd March
Supermarket wars: Morrisons fire first shot in battle with discount chains after reporting £176m loss, comments from Leigh Sparks, Daily Record, 14th March
February 2014
Interviewed for Newsdrive BBC Radio Scotland on The Sell-Off of the Co-operative Group, 26th February.
January 2014
Shopping Around – comment by Leigh Sparks on retail in Scotland, Holyrood, January 22nd.
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