There has been a more rapid shift towards online retail in the last two years, accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic which changed consumer behaviour and led to a focus on the convenience of ecommerce.
As a result, many retailers offer generous returns policies; however, they are having to rethink this as they are faced with challenges including high volumes of product returns, increasing pressures from inflation, higher transportation costs and labour shortages.
Erin Brookes, Managing Director and Head of Retail & Consumer, Europe looks at the challenges of generous returns policies and analyses how these issues can be addressed in this Retail Week article.
To learn about how we can help retailers, visit our consumer and retail pages and check out our latest report on changing consumer values. Or, contact us to see how we can help you transform your consumer and retail business.
European A&M Activist Alert
June 29, 2026
Shareholder activism has become one of the most influential forces shaping corporate strategy, capital allocation and value creation across Europe. In an environment where investors are increasingly willing to challenge management teams and boards, understanding activist priorities has never been more important.
A&M Activist Alert for Europe | Interim 2026 Report
June 29, 2026
As European corporates navigate economic uncertainty, shifting capital allocation priorities, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and increasing scrutiny of strategic decision-making, shareholder activism continues to evolve. While public campaigns remain an important tool, activist investors are increasingly seeking to influence boards behind closed doors, applying pressure privately while remaining ready to wield the “big stick” of acting publicly when necessary.
Activist pressure starts with underperformance
June 18, 2026
Shareholder activism is accelerating, and the root cause is consistent: sustained operational underperformance relative to peers. In a feature for CFO.com, A&M Managing Director Ron Orsini outlines a more disciplined path: close performance gaps early, build a credible value creation plan, and retain control of your strategy before activists define it for you.
Jay Frankl and Annie Peabody featured in The Deal’s Activist Investing Today Podcast
June 11, 2026
Jay Frankl and Annie Peabody discuss current M&A activism trends in The Deal’s Activist Investing Today podcast, highlighting insights from A&M’s US Activist Alert (AAA) report.
