After working with many retailers over the past 15 years, I’ve been exposed to visionary players and retailers who are struggling to make their sales goals. There’s a drastic difference in the way in which the two groups operate. I’ve actually learned more from the later group…..about what NOT to do. Here are 8 mistakes that happen often from retailers who are struggling. Mistake #1 –Try Be Everything to Everybody Sometimes, retailers are so desperate for sales they will do w

Toys ‘R Us did not go out of business due to a lack of demand for toys. In fact, per NPD, US & Global toy sales increased 1% in 2017. In the US alone, the toy market brought in over $20 Billion in sales and grew 1%. Same goes with their Babies ‘R Us brand. The baby care market brought in $30 Billion in 2017. There are many reasons why TRU when under, but it wasn’t due to demand. The demand (and sales) are there. Toys ‘R Us did approximately $6B in revenue in 2017. But where

As a follow up to yesterday's blog post "New Store Concepts Breathe Life Into Established Brands", here is a companion infographic that highlights the 5 things that retailers are bringing to new store concepts to win in 2018. #retailmarketing #newstoreformats #infographic #howto

There’s no other way to say it: We’re living in a digital world. And marketers are responding. In 2018, marketers are shifting their budgets towards digital marketing. According to eMarketer, digital media will make up 43.5% of all media spend this year and is projected to overtake traditional media channels by 2021. But how does that affect traditional retailers? Does digital really drive sales into stores? The short answer is YES! Creating an online presence for a physical

In the words of the legendary Veruca Salt “I don’t care how, I want it now!” Veruca, who has taught countless children the downfalls of instant gratification, would be amazed at today’s environment. She wants a golden goose? Daddy can have it delivered to her in short order. She wants to try to newest toys, makeup or clothes? She can order endless subscription boxes with new products delivered often. And she doesn’t have to fall down a garbage shoot to find what she’s lookin

Newsflash – Retail isn’t dead. There is article after article decrying the “apocalypse”, “the death of retail” or that everything is being “killed” by Amazon. Every day, another storied retailer either files bankruptcy (Nine West, Bon Ton), announces waves of store closings (Sears, Ann Taylor) or closes up all together (Toys R Us – as a child of the 80s, that one hit me hard!). What is dead, is old-school retail. The idea that if you build it, they will come. The concept of