Retail is a simple game, complicated by others. If in any doubt, go back to the grandees of trade and ask yourself in any situation what would Ken Morrison, Jack Cohen or Bernard Lewis do?
For several years Jacqueline has written a bi-monthly column for leading publication Retail Week. Jacqueline shares her thoughts and opinions on the world of retail and which retailers are getting it right and which may need to re-focus. As the woman behind one of the UK's most unique and successful retail brands, Jacqueline's column most definitely reflects this and is always an informative and entertaining read.
Below you will find the most recent columns that Jacqueline has written for Retail Week.
Follow Retail Week on twitter @retailweek for up to the minute news on the retail sector
Retail is a simple game, complicated by others. If in any doubt, go back to the grandees of trade and ask yourself in any situation what would Ken Morrison, Jack Cohen or Bernard Lewis do?
Those of you who practice pilates or yoga will understand the benefits they offer are mainfold. They go far beyond toe-touching agility and right to your very core.
Nothing says its nearly Christmas like settling down in front of a roaring fire, switching on the telly and watching minor celebrities getting covered in cockroaches
If we don’t understand how they want that bra to make them feel, then it’s not going to be right for them
John Lewis is to launch its first loyalty scheme as it aims to build knowledge of its customers and fill a “gap in its armory”
Don’t settle for retail evolution, aim for revolution instead, says Jacqueline Gold
Oscar Wilde once said that “conversation about the weather is the large refuge of the unimaginative”. Given that, for most of my life, I have been creating things that simulate the imagination
I’ve always been slightly uncomfortable with the fact that we are taught by ‘good business practice’ – and no doubt the finest business schools – to make decisions based primarily on facts and figures. Those of us who I’d call retail traders know that successful retailing is often intuitive.
It’s been an amazing few weeks from Danny Boyle’s wonderful celebration of everything that makes us proud to be British in the Olympic Opening Ceremony to the Games themselves, with so extraordinary athletes and outstanding performances.
I’ve talked before about business stewardship being one of the principles behind our organisation. As a family business we make our investment decisions based on the long-term prosperity of the company not the short-term demands of sharesholders.
Lets imagine that a few years ago, the board of the high-profile, much-loved retailer that you work for, appointed a new chief executive to run the business. They scoured the world for the most experienced executive on the global high street, with a proven track record of success and swiftly got their man.
I’ve heard some funny rumours about our business over the years. Last week it was announced that shortly after West Ham move into the new Olympic Stadium, it will be renamed the Ann Summers Bedroom Olympics Stadium. This would of course give new meaning to the idea of Olympic rings.