issues
Published: 11 October, 2006
Have you noticed the similarities between politics and shopping? Well I would guess it's probably not the most obvious comparison, particularly when you look at Boris Johnson's dress sense or the staple party political ties.
The political scene is seeing a huddle of three main parties competing for the same ground. In the good old days there was no doubt the Tories were on the right, Labour on the left and the Liberals plodding through the middle. Now we have all the parties behaving like scared Turkeys - swarming over each other for the same ground.
Looking at the high street fashion chains we're seeing similar behaviour. It's not long since Marks & Spencer had lost its way and the shares were in freefall. The problem that had caught it napping was that its market was being encroached, but it didn't react or even acknowledge the threat. The latest figures out from Philip Green show that the wonder boy who promised Stuart Rose he would destroy M&S at the tills has clearly fallen at that hurdle this time round. The strength and endurance of M&S has shone with a complete overhaul of ranges and advertising.
Equally, Woolworths is finding retail life tough. Again it's a case of a brand finding itself in nowhere land. Everyone has good memories of the chain, but what do you go there for now? I'm sure it will bounce back but it's hard to see how at the moment. The same is true for WH Smith.
What can we draw from this? Certainly one thing is plain: differentiation is the key. No organisation should ever allow itself to stand still. It's vital to progress, and if you're not moving forwards you're going backwards. This might be obvious, but how come we see our politicians struggling to take a lead and how come retailers get caught by surprise when their markets vanish?
Roger J Southam,
Chairman & Chief Executive, Chainbow,
[http://www.chainbow.co.uk]
