Join Shelley and Dan Altman, author of the High Yield Economics newsletter, as they unpack why the K-shaped economy is persisting, and why diversified supply chains and revenue streams are a survival strategy for retail leaders.
An Economist’s Warning on Shifts Impacting Holiday 2026 Read More »
The boom and bust of Korea’s AI-fuelled financial markets could be foreshadowing a wider global meltdown. The way its digital natives are dealing with their reversed fortunes could also be a leading indicator of how the rest of the world’s consumers will cope.
Fashion brands are facing the prospect of higher inventory costs thanks to an EU ban on destroying unsold apparel, accessories and footwear. As of July 19, large companies are now prohibited from incinerating or sending unsold products to landfill. Why major brands ever thought this was morally justifiable is another question. The new rules also cover customer returns and force fashion retailers to prioritize selling products through discounts or alternative markets, donating them or preparing them for reuse.
EU Dispatch: European Luxury Feels the Heat Read More »
Shein, the Chinese-origin online seller of trinkets and baubles, first came on the U.S. scene in 2017, and then really exploded in the early 2020s. It sent shockwaves through a whole genre of American apparel and gift retailers who couldn’t compete with its fast—and impressively cheap—business model.
Shein: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week, 8.1.26 Read More »
Asia’s infatuation with Western expansion has hit a few speed bumps. EU legislators and watchdogs have put guardrails in place against the proliferation of cheap, unsustainable imports, and brands are devising production alternatives to dependence on Chinese manufacturing. Consumer sentiment is changing, and questions have been raised about whether the Chinese model is durable in the long term.
EU’s Backlash Against Asia Read More »
Vacancy rates in shopping malls could rise to nearly 10 percent over the remainder of the year as Russia’s ill-conceived war continues to hit the home front. The market has given way to a long-term malaise that puts Russian consumers in a bind, although many international geopolitical critics will shed no tears.
Russian Retail Is Tanking Read More »
The Estée Lauder/Puig merger was universally perceived by financial markets as not beneficial for both companies. The consensus among analysts for Lauder: Restore some order to your balance sheet, stop the downward sales trajectory of the past several years, and then maybe consider a deal of this magnitude. In other words, get healthy again and then maybe think about becoming the next L’Oréal.
Why the Estée Lauder/Puig Talks Broke Down Read More »
The new Marc Jacobs Beauty line sold DTC through the Marc Jacobs website, and Sephora feels like the odd man out in the beauty industry. Its playful maximalism and bright colors go against the grain of the market nowadays, and at a time when both Coty and prestige cosmetics are under significant pressure, the venture isn’t just the reinvention of a makeup line, but a big gamble for everyone involved.
Marc Jacobs Beauty: The Comeback Kid Read More »
Part of the Doc Martens revival has been driven by fashion’s ongoing focus on authenticity; the brand has benefited from being viewed as timeless rather than trendy. Unlike earlier generations who discovered Dr. Martens through music and sports, Gen Z buyers are often discovering the brand through social media influencers, vintage styling videos, and celebrity endorsements.
What Happened to Doc Martens? Read More »
Everlane, which brought a new sense of values and design to the fashion world, is being acquired by Shein, the Chinese-derived direct seller best known for cheap knockoffs and highly disposable merchandise. This follows Allbirds fire sale to a brand aggregator and, just to make matters worse, its announcement that it was transitioning into some sort of an AI company. Really?
Everlane: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week, 05. 23. 26 Read More »
