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.
December
Will Tesco’s move to self service checkout pay off, Comments in DeleciousFood Best of 2022, December 28th
November
The Scottish parliament’s economy and fair work committee’s report on town centres in Scotland. Commentary, Central FM, 30th November
Black Friday, Christmas and Consumer Shopper Sentiment- interview on BBC Radio Scotland, Good Morning Scotland, 25th November
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
Stirlingretail 