Remember the old adage that “retail follows the rooftops”? If you do, then you probably have fond memories of the Eisenhower administration, the post World War II suburban building boom when Sears Roebuck and J.C. Penney ruled the retail roost, […]
Fiddling with the Roofs Read More »
Mampering. Manscaping. Guy-brows. There are lots of lame new monikers attached to a bonafide beauty movement with big-bucks potential: The rise of guys as committed, trend-savvy – and, dare one say it, glamorous – consumers of product and services. Have
The Grooming Boom: This One’s Gonna Stick Read More »
First it was Nikes replacing ballet flats. Then it was Birkenstocks replacing Nikes. Then Patagonia and Tevas became a thing. Then George Clooney’s fiancé was wearing mom jeans. Baseball caps, sports jerseys, mall chic, Jerry Seinfeld. What can we make
The New Normal: NORMCORE Read More »
Luxury Brands, Fast Fashion, Treasure Hunt, Localization, Super Value Untouchable The TJX business model is not easily copied. In fact, one could make the case that the specific differentiators and advantages that have been crafted into its DNA cannot be
Store format redux from retail’s emerging trends in 2015 has proven that retailers are marching ever forward in this disruptive industry landscape. Big format stores are investing in smaller format editions, department stores are dabbling in specialty and online e-tailers
Retail’s Darkest Secret: The Knowledge Deficiency Gap Read More »
In the horror story of the declining fortunes of the American shopping center, the central character is the “Ghost Mall” – abandoned, forlorn, and lifeless — but looming, casting a post-apocalyptic pall over the American Dream. The website, DeadMalls.com, provides
Ghost Malls: Creative Destruction Read More »
What’s happening in the tumultuous youth market? The way youth retailers are faring reflects the typically fickle trend-sensitive nature of this market. Based on recent earnings reports, I think Aeropostale could derail this year. While their international opportunity is real
Youth Retailers Rebounding in 2015…or Not? Read More »
By Victoria Kulesza, Tiffany Lung, Kei Sato and Daniel Swanepoel At the World Retail Congress in October 2014, a panel of Millennials presented their takes on the Future of Retail. Here is an excerpt of their comments, providing a provocative
Millennials: Retail Experiences Around the World Read More »
I don’t know if “weed” is legal yet where CEO Tadashi Yanai, (Tokyo-based Fast Retailing Company, including the Uniqlo brand), or CEO Don Chang, (Los Angeles-based Forever 21) run their companies, but maybe they’re getting delusional on some other substance.
Uniqlo and Forever 21: What Are They Smoking? Read More »
Now that Eddie “sell the assets” Lampert is turning his dying retail business into a real estate play, he should retain Richard Baker as a consultant. If Lampert can afford him. Of course Richard doesn’t need the money, so he
Richard Baker Is Smarter than Eddie…or Is He? Read More »
