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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House. Today, we’re diving into some exciting moves in retail and food, plus insights on risk management and leadership. Let’s get started with some fresh product launches and partnerships shaping the market.
First up, The Entertainer is teaming up with British Garden Centres for a brand-new retail experience. This partnership will see toy concessions open in six garden centre locations starting in October. Customers will find popular brands like LEGO, Paw Patrol, Barbie, and Disney, alongside The Entertainer’s exclusive Addo and Early Learning Centre toys. According to Retail Times, The Entertainer will handle product range, pricing, and merchandising during this six-month trial. The move is part of The Entertainer’s innovative ‘Toy Box Retail Solution,’ designed to help retailers bring compelling toy ranges with flexible investment and operational support.
Next, Morrisons is making a big splash with price cuts on hundreds of everyday essentials. The supermarket has slashed prices on about 650 items by an average of 18%. This includes staples like chicken breast fillets, rice, pasta, laundry pods, and cold-and-flu remedies. Retail Gazette reports these reductions will run for four to eight weeks both in stores and online, backed by a national marketing campaign. This move aims to help households stretch their budgets ahead of the busy autumn and Christmas season while keeping Morrisons competitive in the UK grocery market.
In food news, Charlie Bigham’s has once again been recognized for its quality with multiple Great Taste Awards. The brand took home stars for dishes like Chicken Tikka Biryani and its Indian Banquet range, including both chicken and vegetarian options. Their famous Lasagne, slow-cooked with beef, pork, red wine, and oregano, also earned a prestigious gong. Retail Times highlights that Charlie Bigham’s commitment to fresh, hand-prepared meals shines through in these accolades. Kim Gelling, their commercial and marketing director, expressed pride in adding to their growing collection of Great Taste Awards.
Shifting gears to risk management, we spoke with Teresa Long from WTW about the evolving landscape in retail risk and insurance. Teresa explained that retailers are moving from siloed risk models to enterprise-wide approaches that cover cybersecurity, supply chain, and more. She emphasized the importance of tailoring insurance to each retailer’s unique profile and warned against underestimating potential losses, especially with cyber risks. Teresa also flagged emerging challenges like cheap, high-quality AI and increased supply chain disruption as critical areas to watch. Her insights, featured in The Retail Bulletin, remind us that integrating AI responsibly and preparing for geopolitical shifts are key to future-proofing retail businesses.
Finally, we had an inspiring conversation with Gwynn Milligan, former CEO of JoJo Maman Bébé, about putting customers first in retail leadership. Gwynn shared her journey from Mothercare to ASOS, Reiss, JD Sports, and beyond, always focusing on customer needs and adaptability. She highlighted the shift from gut instinct to data-driven, digital-first retail, where transparency and sustainability are now non-negotiable. Gwynn’s leadership style centers on empathy, trust, and empowering teams, with a strong belief that investing in customer experience pays off. Her story, featured in The Retail Bulletin, is a powerful reminder that successful retail is about culture, values, and staying curious.
That wraps up today’s edition of The Checkout. From new retail partnerships and price cuts to award-winning food and expert risk advice, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in this fast-moving industry. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you next time for more updates to keep you ahead of the curve.
