derrick keating

Managing Business Change & Transformation UK & Globally. Providing Subject Matter Expertise, Support & Advice.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

#HappyFriday
Delighted & proud to be a Judge for the forthcoming #2024DianaAwards 🏆

Founded 25 years ago on the late Princess of Wales’s belief that young people have the power to change the world.

The longest running & most prestigious award for young people aged 9-25.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@hwallop Bananas, Milk, and Bread are always at the forefront of the propaganda price wars.

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@AArmstrong_says Certainly has spooked the Golden Goose.
Could they be temped to follow Shein with a London listing ?

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@kientan74 Meanwhile I’ve had advance notification from Amazon that they will withdrawing their Amazon Fresh delivery service from my area, and I can see price reductions already on inventory items.

If you can’t make this happen in SW1 Central London then the game’s up.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@dr_cintas Looks to promise a big leap forward - let’s see if the reality lives up to the hype.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@MartinKnight_ True retail legend & I’m not sure who else could have performed a (legit) 3 card trick with Next, George at Asda, and Per Una at M&S?
Sir Terrance Conran perhaps with Conran, Heals, Habitat (and with CDG - the last interior design for Concorde).
Blessed to have worked with both.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@ChapelDownWines A fine wine & well suited to the Kent climate - Bacchus.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@AbfInvestor Great & unexpected brand partnership - should do very well

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@maureen_retail Also reflective of the acquisition strategy of each. Whilst Next continues to make very smart investments & partnerships, the new JD leadership is reviewing the divestment of previous (perhaps ego driven) overseas expansion
The broader product range at Next also helps @shjfrench

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@kientan74 Factor in seasonal up-trades to Premium Own Label (which gets stronger every year) & you’re deffo looking at LFL volume declines.

Previously managing operating costs in line with volumes had been a strength - not sure they are offsetting costs with the focus on store openings?

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@simonrim @greensveggie Very tough for the hospitality sector still & no sign of help or relief to give businesses a chance - sad to hear the news @simonrim , I hope you may come back stronger somewhere else with more supportive landlords

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@Natalie_Berg Avoiding returns in the 1st place is absolutely key. Giving shoppers as much info pre purchase, alongside trusted & genuine reviews with photos & videos is a point of difference. Stress on ‘trusted & genuine’.

But - Transient Brands with reviews for other products doesn’t help.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@GeorgeMacD “Smoking their own dope”
Nearly ran out of cash the year prior. A red flag. Xmas stock committed to & on the water, but still to turn into cash in the bank. Gaps on shelves elsewhere.

Previous successful in providing Value in a post Wollies world. Everyone else caught up.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@BryanRoberts72 Now I like this - as opposed to Morrisons ‘inventory cameras to save wages’ initiative.

Engaging customers & directing them towards NPD, trade-ups , or higher margin products - or even just to help expand their knowledge in a product category that isn’t the easiest to shop

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@BryanRoberts72 ‘Smoking their own drugs’ in Bradford.
Used to pride themselves as Shop Keepers & they focused and took pride in presentation. There’s more effective process & tech than this.
Mind you, back in the day they filled the shelves from front to back regardless, which was costly in BWS

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@GeorgeMacD Good to see more Retailers fighting the good fight - it’s a while since Asda were the ones regularly prepared to take on ‘The Man’ and break the so-called rules on behalf of the consumer. Let’s have more consumer champions!

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@Drapers @FrasersGroupPLC Great article & insight - I had wondered what the future had in store (no pun intended) for Woodhouse and Brown Bag under Frasers ownership, and Oi Polloi under JD ownership

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@guyday @MyTenterden @boon196 BP in Rolvenden Road, just south of High Street was reported to be one of the most expensive in the country (bar motorway services) a while back. Recently under new ownership, had seen prices improve, but not sure how it compares now, but agree it ain’t cheap for fuel around here

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@markgurman Can we have an iPhone battery that lasts a full day first & then take things from there? Fixing Siri next.

[derrick keating @derrickkeating]

@SawyerMerritt A huge & brave progression from the current model.
Looks like a cross between a stretched Land Rover and a Ford Flex - but with a rear and wheel arches designed by competiton winners.
Poor choices there.