The Curse of the Social Media MobRapidly mobilised online campaigns can harm retailers' revenue as well as reputation. How do you stay on top of the conversations happening online about your brand? Essentials: Data insightsBy embracing data analytics, consumer companies can use information as a source of competitive advantage Essentials: Cloud supply chain solutionsNew cloud-based software is giving consumer goods manufacturers and suppliers a real-time view of their sales figures, enabling them to cut inventory levels and improve customer service The chocolate of tomorrowDespite economic headwinds battering consumer confidence, the global chocolate market remains robustly defiant and is predicted to grow by an average of 2 per cent a year for the next five years. Health of UK retail will worsen to record levelsFollowing its quarterly meeting in April 2012, the KPMG/Ipsos Retail Think Tank (RTT) is reporting an even bleaker outlook for UK retailers, with the health of the industry expected to worsen to record levels before any signs of recovery. KPMG sells Bonmarché to Sun European PartnersAdministrators from KPMG were appointed to Bonmarché, the clothing retailer, on Friday 20th January. The administrators immediately sold 389 stores, and its headquarters, to Sun European Partners Past Times Enters AdministrationHoward Smith, Mark Firmin and Joff Pope of KPMG’s Restructuring practice were appointed joint administrators to gift retailer Past Times on 16 January 2012. La Senza UK sale saves 1,100 jobsRichard Fleming, David Standish and Rob Croxen, restructuring partners at KPMG, were today appointed joint administrators to La Senza UK. Following their appointment they completed an agreement to sell part of the business to Alshaya UK Limited Visibility and ControlKnowing what is happening in your business at any time is vital for survival, if not success. Value PreservationWhether you need a turnaround strategy or are looking for an opportunity to expand your business, value is the key driver. Stakeholder ManagementAll strategies require support of key stakeholders, and in many cases, bank support will be a critical element. But it is not just banks who can determine the future trade of the business. Retail Operational ExcellenceOperational excellence means not only serving customers better, but also exceeding their needs. Are you ready to consider excellence or do you need to focus on effectiveness first. Retail StrategyDifficult trading conditions in retail mean an ongoing challenge to achieve strategic advantage in an increasingly aggressive marketplace. Cash and Working CapitalCash flow is a critical part of any retail business. Ensuring that sufficient funds are in place is fundamental. Retail ToolkitA toolkit to help guide retailers through this tough trading environment. Succeeding in a changing world: RetailRecent KPMG survey, which questioned CEOs and finance directors, a number of whom hail from the retail sector, asking businesses about where they feel their priorities lie in the next six months. Retail Bulletin ColumnsHelen Dickinson is a Partner and UK Head of Retail at KPMG in the UK. Read her regular monthly retail bulletin column. Water, water, everywhere?Water covers about 75% of the Earth’s surface but only around 3% is fresh. A growing population, rapid development in the emerging markets and climate change form a trio of pressures on water’s future. | 