How Retailers Are Thriving in The Resale Economy
We’ve come a long way since 2012, when Nordstrom selling secondhand shoes at Rack stores was the scandal du jour in the retail industry. In light of increasing environmental concerns, retail is evolving into what is called a “circular economy”–– an economy that doesn’t depend on finite resources or need to create waste to stay […]
Expert Spotlight: 5 Big Ideas from my Interview with KIZER & BENDER
Georganne Bender and Rich Kizer comprise the dynamic duo that is KIZER & BENDER. As “consumer anthropologists,” KIZER & BENDER’s client list reads like a “who’s who” in retail. Internationally lauded for their no-holds barred approach, their clients rely on them for timely advice on how to wow shoppers rise to the demands of our […]
The Recipe for Successful Alternate Format Grocery Stores
In today’s rapidly changing retail landscape, it’s no wonder that one of the most basic human needs—food—is undergoing the biggest transformation. Traditional grocery is at the heart of the changes. Since 1988 it has seen its market share shrink from 90 percent to 44 percent. A couple of key points underpin this shift, namely the […]
5 Amazing Tales of Apparel Retail Comebacks
The retail world is littered with doom and gloom stories. It seems like every week there’s another retailer that has to close its stores or file for bankruptcy. But every so often, we get a feel-good story from a merchant that bounced back from the brink of extinction. This article will be about those companies […]
Retail Bankruptcies of 2019: Lessons Learned from Forever 21, Gymboree, & More
Bankruptcy. It’s not pretty, but it happens. And in the retail world, it seems like there’s another company filing for bankruptcy every other week. This year alone, the industry has seen 16 major bankruptcies, including filings from Charlotte Russe, Payless ShoeSource, and Gymboree, among other stores. To be clear, retail as a whole is alive […]
How American Eagle is Building the Denim Brand of the Future
While some of American Eagle Outfitters (AEO)’s peers are fighting to stay relevant (like Aeropostale) and others are rebranding to weather choppy tides (like Abercrombie & Fitch), it’s been smooth sailing for American Eagle. In the last year alone, AEO achieved a company record of over $4 billion in net revenue after 17 straight quarters […]
7 Tips to Supercharge Your Retail Influencer Strategy
Social media influencers have taken the marketing world by storm. They’ve challenged traditional advertising practices that typically involve celebrity endorsements, print ads, TV commercials, out-of-home, and direct mail. Marketing budgets are now shifting towards influencer campaigns. Why? Simple: consumers trust them. Research shows that 92% of consumers trust influencers more than traditional celebrities and 49% […]
Retailers are Joining the Rental Economy. Who Will End Up on Top?
If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed an interesting change in consumer behavior: a growing number of shoppers are choosing to rent instead of buy. This trend is a lot more prevalent in the apparel market, but verticals like home furnishings are starting to catch on. According to the market research firm GlobalData […]
Key Takeaways from CB4’s Interviews with Top Women in Grocery
There’s an old adage in tennis: to improve, play with those who are better than you. The same principle holds true in the supermarket business. Learn from those who are a few steps ahead on the career ladder or those who have excelled in specific areas. We serve up some insights from three accomplished grocery […]
7 Things Legacy Retailers Should Know About Digital Native Brands
It’s no secret that online direct-to-consumer brands are upending traditional retail. The rise of Internet sales and marketing has birthed a slew of digital native brands offering quality products at lower prices by selling directly to the consumer. Dedicating themselves to understanding their customers and remaining nimble, these brands have seen explosive growth in recent […]
