Hotel Chocolat and Knoops Face Off with Godiva
Hotel Chocolat’s Thirlwell described the acquisition of the 250-acre Rabot Estate in Saint Lucia and transforming it into a boutique hotel as “destiny.” After a customer sent Thirwell a 1920s book about chocolate making while he was visiting his father in the Caribbean, he was inspired to fulfill his dream to create a place where luxury, wellbeing and style could come together with, naturally, cocoa and chocolate.
The Latest Retail Industry Insights and Analysis
The Power of Retail Influencers
Retail influencers drive online and in-store sales through live events, creator products, and authentic, staff-generated social media content.
Wholesale Isn’t Dead, It’s Revitalizing Growth
Wholesale is evolving—brands thrive by embracing strategic partnerships over DTC myths, adapting to retail shifts and smarter merchandising.
Retail’s New World Order: What’s Your Personal Data Worth?
Gen Z sees personal data as currency—sharing it for fun with friends, but demanding transparency and compensation from brands and
Listen Up
Retail Unwrapped
Our weekly podcast with Shelley E. Kohan, & guests. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
Experience
Retail’s New World Order: What’s Your Personal Data Worth?
Gen Z sees personal data as currency—sharing it for fun with friends, but demanding transparency and compensation from brands and
Gen Z Women and the Man Repeller Trend
Gen Z women reject male-gaze fashion, embracing bold, individual styles that prioritize autonomy and self-expression over traditional norms.
Gen Z’s Nostalgic Trend Has No Chill for Fakes
Gen Z’s nostalgic trend demands authenticity—retro fashion, second-hand style, and real throwbacks. Nostalgia-washing won’t work.
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Opinion
DEI: Courageous Efforts or Cowardly Responses?
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-article point-counterpoint series on recent retail decisions about DEI. We are
Costco’s DEI Challenge: Why It Should Concede Instead of Fight
Explore Costco’s DEI Challenge, highlighting its commitment to inclusion while navigating calls for risk evaluation and defending its policies.
DEI: Courageous Efforts or Cowardly Responses?
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-article point-counterpoint series on recent retail decisions about DEI. We are
Costco’s DEI Challenge: Why It Should Concede Instead of Fight
Explore Costco’s DEI Challenge, highlighting its commitment to inclusion while navigating calls for risk evaluation and defending its policies.
New Episodes Weekly
The Retail Unwrapped Podcast
Retail insights on-the-go, with Shelley E. Kohan. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
From Our Partners
Placer’s 10 Brands to Watch + 3 Surprises
Check out Placer.ai’s latest enlightening report on the 10 Top Brands to Watch in 2025 when it comes to retail
How LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat Are Crushing Consumer Engagement
Watch and learn LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat are building engagement and social media strategies that matter to today’s younger consumer.
Technology
Placer’s 10 Brands to Watch + 3 Surprises
Check out Placer.ai’s latest enlightening report on the 10 Top Brands to Watch in 2025 when it comes to retail
The Risks of In-Store Retail Tech Misalignment
Retail tech risks misaligning with consumer needs by prioritizing novelty over practicality, overlooking human interaction and shoppers values.
Retail AI Trends Outlook for 2025
Retail AI Trends in 2025 emphasize the shift from isolated innovations to customer-centric systems that balance technology with human connection.
Management
Hailey Bieber Scores as e.l.f. Purchases Rhode
Three short years – and post-pandemic ones, no less — that’s all the time it took Hailey Bieber and her
Brian Cornell: The Sequel?
Target faces major challenges, and while Brian Cornell once saved it, the company now needs a bold new leader to
Operations
Aging QVC Pins Its Dreams on TikTok
QVC bets on TikTok and its “Age of Possibility” campaign to reverse declining sales and reconnect with women over 50
Rimowa’s Upcycling Edge
See how fashion brands like Rimowa, Coach & Uniqlo profit by upcycling materials to cut costs, boost sustainability & appeal
Gen Z Has Great Expectations: They Want You to Care About Them
“Omnichannel” and “seamless” are outcomes of smart technology. Yet investing in tech alone doesn’t serve next gen shoppers––Gen Z still