The hot news today is that Lululemon will be cranking out fan apparel for all 32 teams of the NFL. I'll look at this from the point of view of…
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The Chief Merchant Journal
Yes, size still matters. (hee hee, cue the teenage giggles) It’s no shocker that sizing and fit drive a huge share of apparel returns. Coresight Research puts it at over…
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As seen over at Retail Dive: The company is now acknowledging its predicament in stark terms, though it said the situation continues to improve. “Trends within our business demonstrate that…
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Where is the “hidden damage” in your business? If that sounds like an odd question to you, well, it is. If it’s hidden, how would you know where it is?…
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Special Announcement: Our next book, The Material Life: Process Innovation for Retailers and Brands, is coming in December 2025. We're excited for the release of this book and it could…
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Consider the following: A beauty brand selling a single lipstick vs. a beauty routine. A furniture brand selling a single chair vs. a styled room. Buying a single stock vs.…
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According to Harvard Business Review, there are five key "commandments" that can be derived from Costco's Code of Ethics. Here is one of them... The shop floor is where the…
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I’m experiencing a kind of material déjà vu. Here’s what I mean. Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a next-gen material company is winding down operations. This after restructurings, leadership churn, and…
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A trio of companies, The Organoid Company (NL), Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. (UK) and US marketing agency VML issued a press release saying they will produce “the world’s first T. rex…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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"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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Beauty is a beautiful idea. Just ask Gap Inc. The company has announced plans for a phased beauty rollout, starting with “test and learn” in Old Navy. The upside sounds…
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