Consumers are deprioritizing retail authenticity and diving headfirst into escapism. A few extra fingers matter less to next gens than the emotional resonance of the video on their screens. The irony is that these videos are generated with deepfake technology that only recently became available, and it feels right on brand for 2025.
The Oxymoron of Tech and Nostalgia Read More »
Noise erodes trust. When shoppers cannot hear staff clearly, misunderstand promotions, or feel overwhelmed by background clamor, frustration builds. In fashion and specialty retail, where ambiance directly influences spending, the cost of poor sound management is exceptionally high.
The Hidden Costs of Retail Noise Read More »
Hershey raised prices by double digits. A 48-count box of full-size bars that cost $40 last year is now $50. So how is Hershey responding? With a switch pitch to smaller vampire-shaped Kit Kats. Really?
Off the Shelf: A Tricky Halloween Read More »
Retailers with significant real estate holdings are better insulated from rising rents and capital costs and can leverage property as both a financing tool and a growth asset. The market is beginning to reprice this dynamic, treating real estate not as a static asset but as the true measure of long-term strength.
Retail Real Estate Redefined Read More »
Shelley and Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC, discuss a mix of consumer trends that will impact holiday spending. It might surprise you to know that Gen X controls 33 percent of all spending (although only 19 percent of the U.S. population); so why are retailers still ignoring them?
A Preview of Mixed Holiday Spending Trends Read More »
There are three major keys to success: spend time on the floor, truly understand your customers, and develop the ability to lead and inspire people. Retail is first and foremost a human business
Patrice Wagner Is a Retail Radical Read More »
In their quest for scale, many legacy retail brands have transitioned from curators of wonderment to experts in expansion and operational effectiveness. Public listings, expansion mandates, and cost-cutting initiatives can propel these operators into performance engines by managing expenses through operational effectiveness. The smart operators blend concept innovation with performance.
An Industry Manifesto: The Antidote to Retail Boredom Read More »
Kat DePizzo, President of Justice Design Lab, reinvented the brand under dramatic circumstances. During the pandemic, with 15 people and a garage full of samples, she relaunched the #1 tween brand in America across 4,400 Walmart doors.
Lead Like Her: Kat DePizzo, President, Justice Design Lab Read More »
F1’s prestige, defined by values such as excellence, precision, and endurance, aligns seamlessly with those of luxury and prestige. And LVMH’s 10-year partnership has given the elite sport a fresh makeover as the title partner for the first race of the season, where it unveiled Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunks.
Luxury Brands Chase F1 Read More »
When you are an architect who works on projects around the world, your perspective about American retail changes through a refined filter. Kevin Roche, Founder of Roche Design Strategy, has the advantage of understanding firsthand the power of Return on Experience (ROE).
Why Traditional Retail Stores Are Missing Return on Experience Read More »
