Retail faces a crossroads as 2025 approaches, with rising costs, stagnant growth, and fierce competition creating significant challenges. Itim Group is taking the lead in redefining opportunities, equipping retailers with transformative tools to thrive.
As the global economy tightens, many retailers in the UK find themselves grappling with profitability margins that barely exceed 6%. This stark reality is compounded by rising wages, increased National Insurance, and policies like VAT on overseas shoppers, which further squeeze an already struggling sector. For those saddled with substantial debt, especially under private equity ownership with interest rates exceeding 12%, growth often feels unattainable. Yet, with 15% of the UK workforce employed in retail, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The way forward demands bold choices, particularly in operational efficiency. Itim Group plc, under the leadership of industry veterans like Ali Athar, is pioneering solutions that help retailers combat these headwinds. With decades of experience and a focus on innovative transformation, Itim is uniquely positioned to cut costs, boost revenue, and improve profitability.
A shining example is their revolutionary product, Unify by Itim. This platform slashes IT costs—often a retailer’s Achilles’ heel—by addressing inefficiencies common in traditional “best of breed” systems. These outdated setups, marked by overlapping tools and integration struggles, inflate acquisition, maintenance, and operational expenses. With Unify, retailers can cut IT costs in half, ensuring they meet industry benchmarks of 2% or less of revenue, all while enhancing functionality and reducing complexity.
Unify by Itim also helps retailers escape the sunk-cost trap, offering a path to growth without compromising on quality or performance. Retailers like Majestic, The Entertainer, and The Fragrance Shop are already seeing the impact, doubling profitability and achieving scalable efficiencies.
Itim Group plc exemplifies the principle of being “part of the solution.” As retailers recalibrate for 2025, Itim’s commitment to driving change, both locally and internationally, positions it as an indispensable partner in shaping the industry’s future.
