Retail insights at the intersection of now and next. Unfiltered. Unbiased
When I try to explain the implications and unintended consequences of policy decisions, the metaphor of the butterfly effect is a good illustration. It refers to the idea that small, seemingly insignificant actions can trigger large, unpredictable consequences over time.
Counterfeiting erodes consumer trust and brand value. A DPP enables buyers to instantly verify a product’s authenticity, boosting confidence in both primary and resale markets.
Join Shelley and Misty Skolnick, Co-owner of Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels as they discuss how this company in rural Pennsylvania has been producing handmade, 100% natural pretzels as healthy snack options for decades.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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
Sign up for emails from The Robin Report and get our Daily Report, the latest in retail insights and analysis, delivered to your inbox.
