Retail is in a moment of transition. It is missing something fundamental: a systems thinking approach to making decisions with the operational infrastructure to support them. Asynchronous decision-making is not only a hidden cost, but it can also overwhelm a store masquerading as. Fulfillment center.
A Store Is Not a Fulfillment Center Read More »
Join Shelley and Jason Brenner, Senior Vice President Digital Portfolio at FedEx as they delve into the fascinating world of returns logistics and how the process has evolved. Jason says consumer familiarity with ‘no box, no label’ returns jumped from 37 percent to 48 percent in just one year.
How AI Propels FedEx Customer UX Read More »
What is unquestionable is the deep ambition of Asian retailers to create a significant physical footprint in the U.S. and Europe, bolstered by their breakneck expansion rates to date, proving that they can do it just because they’ve done it.
The Chinese Are Coming Read More »
Will 2026 see a continuation of the volatile tariff swings of 2025 and will the U.S. stop importing from. China? And the answer is: It is unlikely that tariffs will stabilize into something more predictable—not free trade, but a stable managed relationship where some doors close while others remain strategically open, especially when it comes to a pragmatic relationship with China.
Why We Can’t Quit China Read More »
2025 may go down as the year retail lost the plot — and tried to rewrite it at the same time. At a recent Robin Report roundtable, four veteran retail experts — Mark Cohen, Warren Shoulberg, Phil Lempert, and Jasmine Glasheen
Retail in 2025: Tariffs, Tumult, and the Search for Sanity Read More »
Join Shelley and Evan Gold of Planalytics as they discuss the fact that the weather is more volatile now than it ever has been before with extreme weather events occurring in the U.S. every three weeks. Evan explains that retailers need to proactively plan with demand forecast accuracy that can increase overall profitability up to 30 percent.
Never Underestimate the Power of Weather Read More »
The numbers are staggering: 85 to 90 percent of all artificial Christmas trees and holiday décor, including ornaments, come from China. Countries like Cambodia have become larger suppliers of holiday lights, but plenty still come from China. China is also responsible for some 40 percent of all the wrapping paper used in the world, a third of the cardboard used in packages and as much as 87 percent of all the tinsel.
O Tannenbaum…O Tannenbaum: Where Art Thou? Read More »
Every year numerous analysts, forecasters, pundits and prognosticators attempt to predict an upcoming holiday’s retail performance. Typically, modest increases in sales are forecast. But what is it about this holiday, Holiday 2025, that may turn out to be very different?
Holiday 25: Predicting Chaos Read More »
Take the idea of a Nordstrom Local to the next level by adding stylist services, and health, nutritional and wellness coaches to help guide the GLP-1 patient along their journey. That could be the makings of a new retail disruption.
Get Ready for GLP-1 Retail Disruptions Read More »
Cyndi is an entrepreneur and CEO of Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems and uses her secret power of determination and patience to run a business to solve a global problem. She adds that building a textile recycling business that aims to drive an industry that doesn’t quite yet exist means you have to have vision and conviction.
Cyndi Rhoades Leads for Global Change Read More »
