Jeremy Brown

Hey Canada - apparel retail sales are very strong! A new report by Trendex North America, a marketing research and consulting firm, said Canadian apparel retail sales growth slowed in 2023, but certainly well exceeded the reported 2.2% in total retail sales last year. Comp ⬆6.8% in specialty apparel, meaning inflation was not keeping the consumer away. Women's apparel increased at a faster rate than menswear. Total sales $37.6 billion in 2023. The economy is resilient and solid when consumers are spending. Bank of Canada's monetary policy combined with strong federal fiscal policy in an already strong Canadian economy avoided recession and we will see more of the fruits of this labour through 2024 - 2025. "The report said the specific growth rate cannot be determined as Statistics Canada changed during 2023 its methodology for reporting apparel sales. But what can be determined by Statistics Canada’s new data set are: Apparel sales totaled C$37.6 billion in 2023; Sales in apparel specialty stores increased a strong 6.8 per cent; and Women’s apparel sales increased at a faster rate than men’s sales." https://lnkd.in/g_-YEB-4 #Retail #Apparel #Fashion #CanadianEconomy

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It's been a tough few days for Canadian retail. Store closures, brands 'trying out Canada' and failing, scaling without success... and next up is Ted Baker, Brooks Brothers and Lucky Brand 🇨🇦 I was interviewed by CBC news on what I think went wrong. --> Canada is not an extension of the US, just like France is not an extension of Germany because they share a border. Different customer needs. --> ABG just closed the deal to buy Champion so they have money. Not paying suppliers can't be the whole story. Or the excuse. --> Scaling a brand means investing in building brand loyalty + a merchandising & marketing strategy specific to that market 🗞 🗞 🗞 Liza Amlani, principal and co-founder of the Retail Strategy Group in Toronto, said the pending closures were not surprising to analysts. She said any problems between AGB and its suppliers is not the full story, given the large portfolio of brands AGB looks after. The real issues more likely involve the product mix at the store and a lack of understanding of the Canadian market, she said. "Every province you go in is very different," she said. "Customers are different, they're spending differently, they are dressing differently. So when I see brands coming into Canada without having that investment on the ground, that's where we start to see this sort of unravel." Amlani said Ted Baker did a good job of sorting its product mix, adding dresses, casual wear and athleisure wear, but "brands don't realize that what folks want in B.C. is very different to what customers want in Ontario." "Just like what happened with Nordstrom, that these bigger groups, these retailers, these brands coming into Canada, they think we're just an extension of the U.S., which is absolutely not true." "They're buying these brands because they can get them for cheap, not necessarily because they're using them to make a profit," she said. "I don't think that they're seeing this as a long-term investment. They're taking the intellectual property, the customer data. Data is worth so much more sometimes than the actual product that's selling on discount at these stores." https://lnkd.in/eAW64Dxd #retail #retailnews #tedbaker #stores #ABG Authentic Brands Group OSL Retail Services Paula Duhatschek

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"Generalizing is a wasted effort and it's what gets retailers in trouble with excess inventory to irrelevant product assortments." Adore this commentary from the inimitable Liza Amlani. Highly recommend it as a read. Generalization is a symptom from our over-stretch to efficiency. We are biologically attracted to efficiency as it reduces effort which burns (what were once precious) calories. We therefore seek out every way we can improve efficiency in how we make stuff, how we think, and how we do things. It has a true cost though, which is articulated beautifully by Liza. Customers aren't formed in factories, and their behaviors and preferences change all the time. Even what they say are their preferences don't always align to their actions. It's an old school way of thinking and in a world of this much data down to individual level, we can do better.

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Aritzia is consistent. From in store experiences to product. One thing The Business of Fashion did not highlight was the store associates. They are by far some of the best. Product and customer obsessed. A winning combination as Artizia continues to grow and capture the market across generations. #retail #fashion #stores #TRE #merchandising

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Great article by Siro! If you are in retail and have interest in private brands, this is a fabulous summary of recommendations for how to innovate and drive engagement with shoppers. #dunnhumby

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According to GlobalData, the U.S. secondhand apparel market grew 11%, or seven times faster than the broader retail apparel market, to $43 billion last year. The report estimates that resale sales online and at traditional thrift stores could reach $73 billion by 2028. #resale #retail #apparel #retailsales

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Tuesday, October 29: 👟 Shares of VF Corporation rocketed higher after hours on Monday after the parent company of Vans and the North Face reported second-quarter results that beat expectations. 👚 The RealReal on Monday said President and Chief Operating Officer Rati Sahi Levesque, who helped found the luxury resale site in 2011, has replaced John Koryl as president and chief executive officer. 👗 Ross Stores, Inc. has appointed James Conroy as CEO, succeeding 40-year company veteran Barbara Rentler,  effective February 2, 2025. Initially, he will join the off-price retailer on December 2 as CEO-elect. 👢 Western-themed retail chain Boot Barn has said its chief executive would be leaving next month, while forecasting better sales and profits for the full year. However, shares fell 8.5% after hours. 🌟 Walmart is preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year by offering three separate sales events. In addition to the deals, Walmart is also offering a one-year annual Walmart+ membership for $49. 🍽️ TGI Fridays's quietly closed dozens of restaurant locations last week as the chain reportedly prepares to file for bankruptcy protection. It previously closed 36 underperforming restaurants across 12 US earlier in the year. 📦 Amazon is experiencing tight capacity at some West Coast facilities due to high demand. The constraints are leading to lengthier processing times for seller inventory at inbound shipping locations. 🤖 Sam's Club's CEO says its automation push isn't about wanting to trim its workforce. He said the tech was removing "mundane" tasks and giving workers more time to engage with shoppers. 📱 Apple is releasing a free software update that will inject its first dose of artificial intelligence into its iPhone 16 lineup as the trendsetting company tries to catch up with technology’s latest craze. 🎭 Confounding gloomy portrayals of a pandemic-crippled theater industry, all but one of 41 Broadway venues will be open for performances in November — the first month so many have been active since 2018. 👖 Emphasizing seasonal fashions at affordable prices, Old Navy is turning up the heat this season with a glitzy party-driven ad campaignfeaturing singer Jennifer Hudson and a cast of whimsical characters. 🏪 Convenience stores, including major players like 7-Eleven and Casey's General Stores, are evolving to compete with fast-food chains by enhancing their food offerings. 💳 Hy-Vee, Inc. is making significant changes to its checkout process by dismantling or altering self checkout lanes in some stores. 🇨🇳 adidas has reported a 9% rise in currency-neutral sales in Greater China for Q3, reaching €946m—its best performance in the region since early 2022. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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"GenAI is very good at producing something from something, but great designers produce something where nothing exists". That's my most favorite quote from this episode with Karla Martin.   If you are interested in listening about how GenAI is changing the face of fashion retail, do check this one out 🎧🔥

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The shopping experience in Canada sucks. As a self-proclaimed "super consumer" with a keen eye for luxury, I've been continuously disappointed by the Canadian retail landscape. While recent reports suggest growth in retail apparel sales, particularly in the luxury segment, the shopping experience itself often falls short. The number of retail store closures recently – most notably Nordstrom, has served a major blow to the already struggling retail environment. Oddly, Trendex North America claimed that retail apparel sales were growing at a faster rate than overall retail sales. The women’s apparel category grew faster than men’s and standout growth was seen in luxury apparel sales, up +10% in 2023. Two key reasons for this growth appears to be driven by a rebound in tourism and an increase in luxury stores opening across key fashion destinations such as Yorkdale and the Bloor/Yorkville stretch. The strength of the USD makes shopping Canada-side more attractive, but what about us native Torontonians looking for an exclusive shopping experience? It simply doesn’t exist. Now transparently, I am not like most consumers. I thrive on the thrill of the hunt. Finding hidden gems and luxury items at off-price retailers has become my personal shopping superpower. In fact, my passion for this niche even led me to build a thriving Instagram community in 2019, where I share my adventures with like-minded individuals (will share my secret handle if asked) 😉 The reality is that the retail environment in Canada has become extremely consolidated. Holt Renfrew, Saks 5th Avenue and to an extent, Simons are the only true destinations for luxury goods in Canada. This is not good for the consumer as it limits competition thereby reducing pricing pressure which means less enticing promotions for the end consumer. Retailers are also making safer bets when buying resulting in an experience devoid of imagination and passion that we crave. The upcoming opening of Simons at Yorkdale mall is reassuring. Their strong online curation of diverse designers and styles has me eager to see how it will translate to a physical retail experience. Perhaps this will be a catalyst for a more dynamic and exciting luxury retail environment in Canada. ******** What are your thoughts on the current state of luxury retail in Canada? Are you a fellow "treasure hunter," or do you prefer a curated shopping experience? #retail #shopping #luxury

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Walmart’s new research on the state of adaptive retail points to a new era of retail where customers expect to be advised and guided throughout their shopping journeys. Shoppers want retailers to be ready for them – ready with hyper-specific recommendations, ready to adapt offerings to match needs, ready to deliver.    The systems and platforms the Global Technology Platform team builds are essential for enabling many of these dynamic experiences, from our clouds which power everything across our ecosystem, to platforms like Element that enable teams across Walmart Global Tech to leverage the data they need to innovate faster.   Check out the report to understand the trends shaping the future of retail and how retailers can adapt to meet customer needs.   https://lnkd.in/g_GXHywS   #walmart, #walmartglobaltech

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#HotTake: Retail stores aren’t a shortcut to success. Retail offers bigger POs, visibility, and cash flow Yet, it doesn’t ensure brand sustainability Case in point: JLo Beauty Despite celeb status and prime placement at Sephora, She faced challenges resulting in a US exit Retail alone doesn’t secure loyalty or repeat sales Placement isn’t guaranteed forever For lasting success, think beyond the retail PO Some markers of a sustainable brand include: Authenticity, community, differentiated formulas, and true fans Building a lasting brand legacy requires more than a retail presence – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale at big retail. If you are ready to scale and invest, book a discovery call, and let’s see if we can work together.

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The The FMCG Guys and I sure covered a lot in a quick 15 minutes! 🩵 A bit of background on Albertsons Media Collective and how far we’ve come … 🩵 A little slice into our #culture 🩵 A discussion on what Retail Media needs to consider as Google depreciates the 3rd party cookie. 🩵 How Brands and Retail media networks should think about expanding into #awareness channels. 🩵 How AI can be used as a tool for #retailmedia and the importance of data cleanliness and data fidelity. 🩵 Looking to Europe as to how to do in-store well.

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Still shocked that most large retailers haven't implemented this to date. The potential for expansion of in-store retail media ad units and revenue (profit) is significant. It's a financial investment, but the opportunities are somewhat endless... think beyond pricing. #Retail #Marketing #BusinessOpportunities

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Are Shopify's predictions for the Top Retail Trends for 2024 too optimistic? 🔮 As we journey further into 2024, i thought it would be worth reviewing Shopify's own predictions for the retail landscape, and they're worth your attention! 🛒 The spotlight was on #Omnichannel Retail, emphasizing seamless shopping experiences that merge online and offline channels. 🔄 Then, there was a strong push towards #Personalization; think AI-driven product recommendations and marketing messages tailored just for you! 🎯 Not to forget, #SocialCommerce was slated to dominate further, making platforms like Instagram and Facebook indispensable for boosting sales. 📈 but with the potential closure of TikTok in the US, is this going to take the shine off? Retail continues to push on through a challenging Q, evolving their strategies and seeking advice on integrating these trends effectively. What's your take on these trends? Have you had to adapt to stay alive or thrive? 🚀 Drop your thoughts and strategies below! ⬇️ #Omnichannel, #Personalization, #SocialCommerce, #Ecommerce, #RetailTrends, #Shopify, #2024Predictions, #DigitalMarketing, #AI, #MachineLearning

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An article in The Business of Fashion on "Fashion's Golden Opportunity With Older Shoppers"... Is total and complete BS. There is an opportunity across ALL shoppers. Dividing them up by descriptors that have been used for decades is just not going to cut it anymore. While teaching fashion marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology last Fall, there were modules on generations and how they spend, how they consume information, etc. I had to add caveats to each statement in the textbook because you can't make these types of assumptions anymore. This is an old school way of marketing. We can't put customers into these buckets anymore as there are so many other data points to consider. The affluent customer shops at Walmart, Target and Costco Wholesale. The tech boom will go through another cycle and you will have more younger customers with disposable income. Resale luxury is bought by Gen Z to the boomer. Generalizing is a wasted effort and it's what gets retailers in trouble with excess inventory to irrelevant product assortments. The customer has evolved across generations and we need to stop generalizing to avoid marketers look at the data in just 1 way. #retail #retailnews #fashion #fashionmarketing #bof

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Great analysis by C-Store Dive on inside store sales, the shifting competitive landscape and independent C-Stores.

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The Retail Monitor, a monthly survey from CNBC and the National Retail Federation (NRF), found that sales ticked up 0.26% from March to April. NRF CEO Matthew Shay attributed the modest increase to “a growing job market and real gains in wages,” but qualified that “consumers remain focused on value and price and are shifting their spending patterns where needed to make ends meet.” #retailsales #economicgrowth

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Our Voice of the Consumer—Canadian insights is here! Explore how consumers' mindsets are evolving in 2024 and the imperatives for retailers to build consumer trust. #ConsumerInsights #ConsumerTrends

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Why is brand neutrality so important as a retailer of multiple brands? I am far from a brand expert and I could still confidently write a handbook on this subject. When we opened Vancouver Running Co. our biggest challenge was getting footwear brands on board. Vancouver is a highly political run specialty market and for brands to sell product to us was akin to the Canucks losing in game 7 to the Bruins (this still hurts) in the eyes of their other accounts. It was cause for riot. Why? Those other account's success was coming from the brands success, and (apologies if this comes off as harsh) maybe not necessarily anything else they were doing ( 😬 ). Their success would be highly contingent on how the brand was doing and worse so, if the brand made some bad corporate decisions on highly divisive topics...yikes. I realized pretty quickly that we needed to ensure our brand was the one people were after and whatever our product assortment was at the time was 100% what we say was best. So, we did exactly that. We created unique projects, partnered with like-minded businesses (shoutout to Physioroom), held one of a kind events/activations, and created collaborations that were VRC first. We created our own shoe fitting protocol that became so personalized and knowledge backed that the logo on the shoes was rarely a concern. Did we miss out on sales? Oh for sure. But far less than if we leaned into a brand. Many of those brands we were initially after are now partners. Some aren't. But with RunReady coming shortly...hmm (a post for another day). Bottom line: Your brand is first and should always be. Market your own way, fly your flag and become a brand others want to work with. Fun fact: both you and the brands you work with are going to have way more fun...I can vouch for that.

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