Latest news with #ChrisConsidine
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
We let homeless friend live in our flat for £30 a week – when he finally left we were shocked at what he'd done
A TENANT from hell left his home waist-deep in rubbish including 3,000 beer cans. He was a friend in need let the two-bedroom flat by Chris and Sandra Considine in 2018. 3 3 But he blocked access, refused to leave and paid rent only once in seven years, the couple say. When he eventually fled the property in Nuneaton, Warks, they were greeted by scenes of utter squalor. Stomach-churning photos show thousands of lager cans strewn across the floors of almost every room — with dozens more stacked up on the window sills and shelves. Former DPD worker Chris, 70, said: 'We just couldn't believe it.' And grand-of-three Sandra, 58, called the smell 'horrendous'. She added: 'The rubbish was waist-high when he left in January — it was shocking.' The kind-hearted couple agreed to help the pal, who was about to be made homeless. They moved him into the flat, which they originally bought for daughter Rose, and asked for only £30 a week to cover the service charge and ground rent. Sandra said: 'We were trying to be kind but in the end we just feel utterly exploited.' Rose, 25, has set up a GoFundMe page to help her parents pay for professional cleaners. 3
Fibre2Fashion
05-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Online shopping slows as tariffs bite, delivery costs rise: Survey
Online retail is facing its most significant upheaval in over a decade, driven by mounting tariff pressures, shifting consumer expectations, and rising delivery costs, according to AlixPartners' latest Home Delivery Survey. The report underscores how trade policy and inflationary headwinds are reshaping the dynamics between consumers, retailers, and delivery providers. AlixPartners' latest survey reveals that tariffs and rising delivery costs are reshaping online shopping. Consumers are delaying or accelerating purchases based on price uncertainty, with many turning to US-made goods. Online delivery growth is slowing, especially outside groceries, as retailers tighten free shipping and push in-store options. Conducted in late May and early June, the survey of 1,100 US consumers and executives across retail and logistics reveals a stark slowdown in online delivery growth across most sectors—marking the first such stagnation since the survey began in 2012. 'Elevated consumer awareness of tariffs is clearly flowing through into buying decisions,' said Chris Considine, a partner in AlixPartners' retail practice . 'You can see how people are timing their purchases and the conscious effort among a sizeable minority to 'Buy American'.' Tariffs are prompting 37 per cent of consumers to reconsider what and when they buy, with 66 per cent indicating they would prefer US-made products if import costs rise. About 34 per cent have delayed purchases due to price volatility, while 28 per cent have rushed to buy in anticipation of tariff hikes. Meanwhile, online home delivery volumes have fallen across core e-commerce sectors, registering double-digit year-on-year declines. Despite weaker demand, consumer expectations remain high: 3.5 days is still considered the 'sweet spot' for delivery, and free shipping continues to be the dominant factor behind purchase decisions. Retailers, in response, are cutting back on once-standard perks. Many are now restricting access to free delivery—either raising minimum spend thresholds or requiring paid memberships—and reducing return flexibility. Almost half of retailers surveyed said they've tightened their policies or shifted focus towards in-store pick-up and returns, the report said. A demographic shift may offer some breathing room for struggling shippers. Gen Z consumers are more tolerant of slower deliveries, often waiting a week or more and allowing time for consolidated shipments. They also favour global value platforms like Shein and Temu, despite recent changes to low-value import duty exemptions. With nearly three-quarters of retail and logistics executives reporting increased per-package delivery costs, cutting last-mile expenses has become a priority. In response, companies are pulling away from major carriers: 40 per cent have reduced volume with FedEx and UPS, and half report diversifying their logistics partners. 'Carriers are feeling the pinch as shoppers reconsider and shippers diversify to lower costs,' said Marc Iampieri, global co-lead of AlixPartners' logistics and transportation practice . 'Optimising your distribution network is the big lever for retailers, and they are pulling it hard, adding more pressure on the carriers.' Amid growing trade friction, economic caution, and evolving consumer behaviour, the future of e-commerce delivery may hinge less on speed—and more on strategy, flexibility, and value.
CNBC
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Online shopping see biggest slowdown in over decade as tariffs disrupt e-commerce: Survey
The e-commerce sector is experiencing its most disruptive period in more than a decade as a result of President Trump's trade war and tariffs policy, according to a new survey from Alix Partners. It finds steep declines in online shopping activity, and shipping and return policies being adjusted to cut costs for companies. Online purchases for home delivery experienced double-digit percentage, year-over-year declines across major categories, including sporting goods, down 12 percentage points; and cosmetics, furniture, home furnishings, office supplies, and large electronics, each falling by 10 percentage points, according to AlixPartners' data. "This marks the first widespread pullback in online category growth in over a decade," said Chris Considine, partner with the consulting firm's retail practice. Grocery was a notable exceptions to the negative trend. Tariffs have been a catalyst for consumers to change their buying behavior, according to the AlixPartners data, which finds 34% of consumers saying they delayed purchases due to uncertainty over prices, and 66% saying they will seek domestic options if overseas prices increase by 10%. Twenty-eight percent of consumer survey respondents said they pulled ahead purchases to avoid extra import costs. The survey showed a sizeable minority (20%) looking to "Buy American." "Tariffs are materially influencing consumer behavior, leading to both timing shifts and a potential reshoring of demand. Retailers may need to reassess sourcing and pricing strategies to remain competitive," Considine said. The online home delivery survey was conducted by AlixPartners between May 31 and June 3 among consumers, retail and transportation companies. In addition to the tariffs impacting purchases, retailers are battling challenges with the cost of returns and delivery. The survey shows a rise in the proportion of orders being returned, at a time when almost three-quarters of executives said per-package delivery costs have increased. Delivery and return policies are being tightened across the e-commerce sector, according to the survey, with greater emphasis on in-store pick up and returns. Consumer behavior remains heavily influenced by free shipping and next-day delivery, but almost half of retailers surveyed have increased the minimum order requirement to qualify for free shipping, or require a membership. Most e-commerce executives surveyed by AlixPartners said cutting last-mile delivery costs was a priority over service improvements.
