Retail stocks provide goods and services to the final customer, who generally buy for personal rather than business use. Distribution encompasses shops, kiosks, supermarket chains and large department stores.
Crucially, many products are now sold through the internet and online strategies are key to the evolution of the marketplace and many retailers. Retailers are facing challenging markets and restructuring is a common feature with the need to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The consumer goods sector also includes stocks that relate to items purchased by individuals rather than by manufacturers and industries such as those involved with food production, packaged goods, clothing, beverages, automobiles and electronics.
Analyst
David Jeary
An Oxford University graduate, David has over 35 years' experience in the Retail and Consumer sectors. He has previously worked as a retail analyst at UBS Warburg, Credit Suisse, Investec and Canaccord, covering both UK and Pan-European stocks. Unlike many of his peers, David has the added advantage of an industry background; prior to his career in the City, he spent fourteen years as a management consultant, advising retail and consumer companies.