You Can’t Make This Stuff Up.
Former J. C. Penney CEO, Ron Johnson, once said “I thought people were just tired of coupons. Our core customer was much more dependent on and enjoyed coupons more than I understood.” He couldn’t have been more wrong. That line of thinking is almost as foolish as Dallas Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison, saying after trading […]
Admitting You Have A Problem
In the case of Lululemon, the first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one. Calvin McDonald has clearly stated during the most recent earnings announcement that the assortment is boring and predictable. This doesn’t happen overnight…meaning, the assortment has been predictable for some time now. The reality is that brands like ALO and […]
Merchandising Know How for C-Stores
C-stores and gas stations are very unique. They sit in the intersection of grocery stores, quick serve restaurants and general merchandise. And, this intersection exists with the additional challenge of limited square footage. So, this class of retailers must be very focused and intentional with their product assortments. Also, there are some trends that the […]
Not The Only Type of Innovation
If we go back to some old-school Peter Drucker, we find that he has identified 10 areas of innovation. Four examples include: 1 – New Knowledge. This is the domain of next-gen materials. It’s the riskiest path: long lead times, high failure rates, and it attracts all the hype and capital. We can look to […]
Client Testimonial: Jenny Crittenden (President & CEO, Retail Alliance of Norfolk, VA)
“This past week, we had an amazing two days with Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group. I decided to bring Liza in because one of the things we noticed with our small retailers is that they do not have the same resources and tools that much larger national brand retailers have at their fingertips. Think […]
Hot Flashes. Cool Apparel.
Pay attention. I’m going to tell you about a $17 billion opportunity. In a recent newsletter published by XRC Ventures, menopause is an underrated area of investment in the women’s health space. According to XRC, this is a $17 billion category that is growing at a 5.4% CAGR. The obvious women’s-health plays chase all things […]
Who Cares If You Hire The Best.
Accessories and beauty are smart growth plays for Gap Inc. but execution is everything. Accessories are high-margin, outfit-completing items that extend the apparel experience and encourage customers to shop the full look. The opportunity isn’t in more. It’s in curation and innovation. A tightly edited assortment of handbags, belts, and jewelry with modern design, quality […]
Better For Who? Customers? Brands?
Canadian Tire Corporation and Tim Hortons have teamed up on a loyalty partnership…but is it really about customers, or just chasing incremental share? This is less about customer delight and more about two legacy brands scrambling for incremental share in an oversaturated loyalty market. Canadians are already juggling too many programs, and unless the value […]
Best Sellers Don’t Need The Best Space
Although it seems counterintuitive, bestselling items need not occupy “prime” space in your store. Best sellers are the best for a good reason: because of the brand’s strength. Consider On and Hoka footwear as examples for running. These items are a strong customer draw. Also, they may be the main driver of the first visit. […]
My Time in Norfolk
Department stores are struggling. Luxury is losing share to resale. Big brands are boring customers with uninspired assortments. That means specialty and small retailers have a chance to win. I spent last week in Norfolk, VA working with the Retail Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports local retailer. During my walkthrough in the community, I […]