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 2016
Coverage of the Local Data Company/University of Stirling 4th Report on Retail in Scotland’s Towns and Cities: BBC Radio Scotland, John Beattie Show, interview with Leigh Sparks on the findings; One in eight shops lies empty in ghost town high streets, Daily Mail, comments by Leigh Sparks; Worst-off towns recover as alcohol and gambling outlets close, Scotsman, comments by Leigh Sparks – all December 13th; Brechin has Scotland’s highest vacant shop rate, The Courier and Advertiser (Web), 14th December; Scotland’s most challenged towns show signs of recovery, Housewares Live, December 15th, 22% of Dundee shops are vacant, Evening Telegraph (Web), December 15th
Our changing high streets – unlocking the potential of Scotland’s towns, Dundee Courier, 12th December – report on the recent Scotland’s Towns Conference in Kirkcaldy, including speech by Leigh Sparks
What’s Trending, What’s winning? Report on Retail Revolution seminar (involvement by Leigh Sparks and Lynda Wee) at Retail Asia Awards Day 2016, Singapore, Retail Asia, November (pdf here)
What’s in store for 2017? Crystal ball gazing from Leigh Sparks and others, Scottish Local Retailer, December, p18-21 (pdf of the whole crystal ball team and their thoughts are here)
November 2016
Retail price inflation and Brexit – comments by Leigh Sparks on predicted food inflation, BBS Scotland Newsdrive, 23rd November
The future of the high street; too many stores, so more will close for sure – comments on M&S and store closures generally by Leigh Sparks, Herald, 20th November
Interview with Leigh Sparks about Black Friday, sales and the Boxing Day petition – STV News, 6pm, 16th November
Half Black Friday deals were cheaper at other times, inquiry finds – comments by Leigh Sparks on a Which? report, Scotsman 16th November
We size up highs and lows of UK’s biggest clothes chains – comments on six chains by Leigh Sparks, Sunday Post, 13th November
Marks and Spencer store closures – radio interviews by Leigh Sparks, Call Kaye Adams on BBC Scotland and BBC Scotland Newsdrive, 8th November
October 2016
Regeneration of the Barras – comments by Leigh Sparks, BBC Radio Scotland, John Beattie show, 18th October
Price row between Tesco and Unilever ends – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 12th and 13th October and Marmite runs low at Tesco as price row rocks stores, Evening News, 14th October
September 2016
Judy Murray dress designer set to sue online copycats – comment by Leigh Sparks, Sunday Post, 25th September
Scots urban areas can play role in driving regeneration – comments by Leigh Sparks as Chair, STP, Scotsman, 15th September
August 2016
Wallets lighter with contactless payments – comments by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 29th August
Contactless card transactions top 2015 in first half of year – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 23rd August
Welcome to the new Woolies … Budget store B&M is winning the retail war – Comment from Leigh Sparks on B&M Stores, Sunday Post, 14th August (pdf here)
Jewellery firms benefit from Brexit pound slump – comment from Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 8th August
BHS lost out to more attractive rivals – comments from Leigh Sparks and Steve Burt on the demise of BHS, implications for Scottish town centres and measures being taken to improve town centres – BBC Online 1st August
July 2016
Our guide to the summer sales – comments by Leigh Sparks on sales opportunities, Sunday Post, 27th June
Brexit vote gives boost to UK fashion sales overseas – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotland on Sunday, 17th July.
Wash out for these bargains, – comment on sales by Leigh Sparks, Scottish Sun, 12th July
Discussion on the Marks and Spencer figures and the need for change with Leigh Sparks, John Beattie Show, BBC Radio Scotland, 8th July
Sales slump as Marks and Spencer fail to attract “Mrs M&S” – comments by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 8th July
June 2016
Experts say 24 hour shopping may have had its day – comments by Leigh Sparks, Herald, 29th June
Kirkcaldy MP calls for review of parking across Fife – mentions recent meeting with Leigh Sparks, Fife Today, 23rd June.
Town is example to the world – comment by Leigh Sparks as Chair, STP, Herald, 16th June
Discount supermarkets expanding faster than the big 4 – comments by Leigh Sparks, Scotsman, 7th June.
May 2016
Most online shoppers return clothes – Interview with Leigh Sparks, Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 30th May
It’s More than Convenience – column by Pete Cheema, CEO Scottish Grocers’ Federation which mentions work with the university of Stirling on convenience retailing Sunday Herald, 22nd May
Local knowledge is the key to success – column by Leigh Sparks,Sunday Herald, 22nd May
Vacancies in Scottish retailing – Interview with Matthew Hopkinson, Local Data Company in which he cites work done by them with the University of Stirling, Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland, 17th May
Shining a light on our changing high streets – comments by Leigh Sparks, Sunday Post, 1st May
What they said about BHS – comment by Leigh Sparks, Scotland on Sunday, 1st May
April 2016
Self service in shops – comments by Leigh Sparks on the rise of self service and self service technology in retailing, BBC Radio Scotland, Business Scotland, 30th April (repeated on the 1st May)
Traditional store beaten by “new kids on the block” and the internet – column by Leigh Sparks, The Scotsman, 26th April
Britain’s Ruthless High Street leaves no room for stragglers like BHS – Article for The Conversation, picked up by EconoTimes, 26th April
BHS into Administration – interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC TV Reporting Scotland Evening News, 25th April.
BHS into Administration – interview with Leigh Sparks on BBC Radio Scotland Good Morning Scotland, 25th April.
The continuing sage of the mysterious shrinking products – comment by Leigh Sparks on item size reductions in retailing, Scotsman, 19th April
Boomtime for fruit and veg as supermarket prices plunge – comment by Leigh Sparks on food prices, Sunday Post, 10th April
Corner shops give £600m boost to economy – includes reference to new PhD studentship with SGF, Herald, 4th April and also in the Retail Gazette, 6th April
Convenience Matters with the SGF – reference to new ESRC PhD studentship, Scottish Local Retailer, 1st April
March 2016
AG Barr cautious on change for Irn-Bru after sugar shock – comment by Leigh Sparks on the sugar tax brand implications, Herald, 30 March
Irn-Bru’s secret formula faces battle for survival – comment by Leigh Sparks on the sugar tax brand implications, Evening Times, 30 March
The sad demise of McEwans of Perth – comments by Leigh Sparks on Good Morning Scotland and The Kaye Adams Show, BBC Radio Scotland, 25th March
Shops for vapers help high street to fight back – comments by Leigh Sparks, Herald, 14th March, and discussion on the Kaye Adams Programme, BBC Radio Scotland, 14th March.
Challenge set to co-op retailers: innovate and reinvent your towns, Co-operative News, 10 March
February 2016
Bogofs are making shoppers spend an extra £1300 per year – comments by Leigh Sparks on supermarket pricing tactics, Herald, 11th February.
Supermarket low-price lowdown – comments by Leigh Sparks on the Easyfoodstore pilot store, Sunday Post, 7th February.
Channel 4 Dispatches -interview with Leigh Sparks about the rise of internet shopping and the impact on parcel delivery firm market. 1st February.
January 2016
Store wars: new front opens between big four and upstarts – comments by Steve Burt on the discount revolution in food. Sunday Herald, 24th January
BBC1 TV Breakfast Broadcast, video link appearance and discussion by Carol McKenzie on the “sexist” high street, 20th January
Pink Razors and Aladdin Y-Fronts Show Sexism at Work on the High Street – comments by Carol McKenzie, The Independent, January 20th
BBC Radio Scotland, ‘Newsdrive’ – Discussion with Carol McKenzie on the “sexist” high street, 19th January, Listen on BBC iplayer 01:36:07-01:44:40 (8 minutes), at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06vmzdl
Women Charged More on ‘Sexist’ High Street – comments by Carol McKenzie, The Times, January 19th
Price of groceries falls to lowest in a year – comments by Leigh Sparks on continuing price falls and competition in food retailing, Scotsman, 6th January
Supermarket weep – comments by Leigh Sparks on supermarket tactics, The Sun (and Irish Sun), 5th January
Stirlingretail 