Consumer & Market Trends

After failing to sell his family’s stake, Matalan founder John Hargreaves wants to buy the remaining shares, delist the company and knock it into shape, writes Martin Croft.

Only three brand hold enough sway to persuade consumers to seek them out onlinem the rest need to find ways to be visible on search lists and offer the right data to be included in comparision sites.

Why should clients be won over by agencies’ proprietary tools and names, when they fail to offer anything unique? says David Wethey

Many non-core brands live in limbo, neglected by their owners, but with a little attention they can realise their potential.

Impressive sales at the ‘world’s biggest bookseller’ are masking falling profits and costly litigation, but the financial markets still love Amazon, says Dominic Dudley.

Consumers are aware of green energy issues, but cost and a lack of leadership from business and Government are stalling action. Will change only come with our children, who show real commitment?

WPP is striving to keep the Sky account, and no wonder – since its UK arrival in 1989 it has been a force to reckon with, and it looks like it will remain so, says Catherine Turner

While creative brilliance is sought after, clients also want advertising agencies to demonstrate robust management and financial processes. It is a requirement many are struggling to fulfil

As the advertising world adapts to the digital age, confusion still reigns over how best to handle the dilemmas it throws up

Mobile TV had not been the success some had predicted, but putting more thought into the content could help it take off, says Tom Weiss.

A newly demerged Argos is exercising its freedom by opening a chain of ‘convenience stores’ as it battles to remain the UK’s number one non-food retailer. By Ian McCawley

Dubbed InBeTweeners, children aged 11 and 12 defy most marketers’ assumptions: they understand advertising messages, but they are scared of the dark and their parents still hold the purse strings

As high street sales wilt in the face of the weak demand, deflation and higher costs, will extra space aid recovery?

While its ethical stance has been a boon, inconsistent communications and outlet formats have prevented the Co-op becoming a major retail player, says Ian McCawley

Incisive Media did all the market asked of it, but found a buyout was the best way to finance expansion. Will others follow its example?