Mr. Daniel Paul

Consultant, Dan Paul Consultant

Member of the Retail Council

Council Member Biography

Daniel Paul is an independent Consultant in the UK Retail and Financial Services markets and has completed assignments with a number of leading UK retailers and financial institutions. From 2003 to 2005, he was a Strategic Development Manager at Argos Retail Group, a UK retailer in general merchandise and DIY goods such as toys, small electrical appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, garden supplies, jewelry, and sports equipment. He was responsible for developing a new group division and managing the centralization of business functions as well as mergers and acquisitions, operational and strategic integration and setting up joint ventures in retail and financial services. Previously, he has served as the Client General Manager for GE Consumer Finance, a market leading financial services provider, from 1998 to 2003, where he gained extensive experience of market analysis, relationship management and marketing in the financial services B2B and B2C arenas. (This is me - Update Profile)

Employment History

2006 - Unspecified: Consultant, Dan Paul Consultant
2003 - 2005: Strategic Development Manager, ARGOS LTD
1998 - 2003: Client General Manager, CONSUMER FINANCE ACQUISITIONS CO. LTD

GLG News^SM Analyses by Daniel Paul(?)

Opinions and analyses expressed in GLG News are solely those of the author. See the Terms of Use for details.

Remodelling is not the key to success

May 1, 2006

Analysis of:M2: A New Concept in Retail | mediarelations.officedepot.cc

It looks like Office Depot are relying on remodeling to deliver increased sales and ROE. With almost 1,000 stores to remodel this will be no mean feat. Also, I have never seen remodeling alone deliver increased sales UNLESS it focuses upon more sales floor space.

The key things retail customers tend to want are choice, convenience and value (in varying orders depending on the market). Remodeling may help with these but it's not the only answer

Supermarkets branch out futher

April 27, 2006

Analysis of:Asda set to start selling houses | news.bbc.co.uk

Interesting news of further branching out by the supermarkets in the UK. Whilst only a small trial in 10 stores, it does offer free sales packs which will soon become compulsory in the UK.

Given the footfall in ASDA stores it's an attractive offer for sellers - saving up to £1000 on the sellers pack and also tapping into many potential buyers

We'll have to wait and see the impact on estate agents in the Sunderland area but I live in that neck of the woods and I think it could prove popular. Will Tesco follow on?

Bold move by Dixons

April 13, 2006

Analysis of:Dixons to quit high street after 70 years | business.timesonline.co.uk

This article details the reasons behind Dixons withdrawing from the high street onto the internet only. It's a bold move considering the strength and prevelance of the brand on the high street and consumers affinity to it. Dixons cite cost savings as the reason for the change and to shift this business to the internet whilst increasing the outlets for it's white goods. The move is costing £7m, mainly down to shopfront signage and reconfiguration of stores.

WH Smith meets City expectations and announces split

April 13, 2006

Analysis of:WH Smith soars as it plans to split | business.timesonline.co.uk

An interesting article - WH Smith insists that it is not splitting to sell of the distribution arm of it's business however this strategy may provoke offers from private equity firms after Permira's offer for the entire business was scuppered by a £250m hole in the firm's pension fund

Would you spend 20 seconds looking at a shelf?

April 13, 2006

Analysis of:Stores stocking shelves with ads | www.contracostatimes.com

An interesting article and an interesting concept. I'm not an expert on US retail or consumer preferences but I have a good grasp on how I, and most UK consumers, would react to this, and it wouldn't be positive. Ads on the shelf edge when you have already more than likely decided what you want to buy. And will there be ads by the chocolate and crisps at kids eyeline height I wonder? That'll go down well with parents.....

View All GLG News ^SM Analyses by Daniel Paul