Richard has worked with most of the leading retailers in the UK over the past 30+ years. Over this time, he has built up an unrivalled insight into every sector of the retail market, the leading companies in each and the management teams that lead them. Richardtalksretail provides access to this insight and opinion.
Richard started his career as a researcher at the Financial Times in the 1970s. He went on to work first as an analyst then a Director of Mintel. In September 1984 he left to launch his own business, Verdict, formed to focus on delivering a new breed of insight and analysis of the retail sector. He sold Verdict to Datamonitor in 2005 and went on to be Strategic Advisor to Deloitte.
Over this period Richard has provided strategic advice to most of the leading retailers in the UK, their product suppliers, landlords, bankers and institutional shareholders.
“I’m sure fellow retailers will welcome Richard back to the commentary box. As a wise and unpretentious voice we’ll all look forward to his straight-talking reports.”
Andy Street
Former MD, John Lewis
Richard Hyman has been involved in retailing for 35 years. Following several years as a researcher at the Financial Times, he joined Mintel and was Executive Director, first in charge of Marketing and then Editorial. He was the founder of Mintel’s retail coverage in the late 1970s.
In September 1984 he left to found his own company, Verdict. The business was established to focus on the retail market, aiming to provide the most authoritative industry analysis available. A programme of sector research was launched and over the years this was augmented with forecasts and coverage of international markets and of strategic issues. Consumer research programmes followed, along with a range of consulting services aimed at providing tailored advice to the marketplace.
Verdict’s market was the financial community, manufacturers, marketing services businesses and retailers themselves. The company established itself as the primary independent industry commentator in the print and broadcast media. Major clients included Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Next, Kingfisher, Home Retail Group, Shop Direct, Dixons Group, and most of the leading brokers and financial institutions.
In September 2005 Richard sold Verdict to Datamonitor, a quoted business publisher which itself was subsequently acquired by Informa Plc.
Following a successful earn-out, Richard joined Deloitte as Strategic Advisor to its retail practice. His role was to support client relationships in areas such as M&A, Restructuring Services and Corporate Finance, dealing with the firm’s retail, banking and private equity clients.
Richard has been analysing and advising on retailing for more than 30 years. During this period he has built an extensive fund of knowledge and experience and forged relationships with most of the companies and leading players in the industry.
“Richard has a wealth of experience and a great understanding of the ever-changing world of retail. I have always found him to be straight talking, honest and insightful.”
Paul Marchant
CEO, Primark
“I have known Richard for many years. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the retail industry and I have always found our conversations interesting, informative and thought provoking.”
Lord Simon Wolfson
CEO, Next
“Throughout all my pleasurable conversations with Richard, he has used his wealth of experience to inform and stimulate our thinking.”
Lord Mark Price
Former MD, Waitrose
“Over many years I have found Richard’s unique brand of thought leadership to be one of the best in the retail world.”
Sir Ian Cheshire
Chairman, Debenhams
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