Gemma Lionello

Aloha Friday 🤙🏼 Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Friday, May 31: 👖 Gap shares rallied more than 20% in the extended session Thursday after the retailer reported first-quarter earnings and sales well above investors’ expectations, raised its guidance for the year and pared down its inventory. 🏬 Kohl's shares plunged as much as 25% on Thursday after the retailer reported a surprise first-quarter loss and lowered its forecast for the year. The department store chain saw a 5.3% drop in net sales. 🥫 Costco Wholesale reported fiscal third-quarter profit, revenue and same-store sales that all beat Wall Street forecasts, but shares of the membership-based warehouse retailer pulled back from a record high. 💄 Ulta Beauty earnings that showed the effects of a slowdown its CEO had previously warned about. Comparable sales increased 1.6% year over year, a stark slowdown from the same period a year earlier. 👗 Nordstrom shares fell 5.6% in extended trading Thursday after the company reported a wider-than-expected first-quarter loss of $39 million, although revenue topped analysts’ estimates. 📺 Best Buy has reported the 10th straight quarter of same-store sales declines, a reported 6.1% drop for February, March and April. Its total revenue of $8.85 billion was a little lower than Wall Street anticipated. 👟 Foot Locker’s turnaround is starting to bear some fruit.  The sneaker giant saw comparable sales decline 1.8% during its fiscal first quarter, far better than the 3.1% drop-off that analysts expected. 💵 Dollar General reported better-than-expected profit, sales and same-store sales for its first-quarter as more customers shopped its stores for groceries and other essentials. 🥡 Amazon customers in the US can now order takeaway deliveries from Grubhub without leaving the tech giant’s app. The deal is part of a deepening relationship between the tech giant and Grubhub. 🚫 Illinois set to end grocery tax. Legislators have approved a state budget for 2025 that eliminates the 1% tax, paving the way for Governor JB Pritzker to sign it into law. 👓 Innovative Eyewear has released an Eddie Bauer Smart Eyewear collection. The collection includes four styles and features voice access to ChatGPT. The glasses have built-in Bluetooth microphones and speakers for music and calls. 🥖 Subway, the restaurant chain with the most locations in the US, has sold $3.35 billion of asset-backed bonds to help fund its buyout by Roark Capital Group, in what is the largest securitization of its kind on record. 📦 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)is giving Prime Air additional permissions that allow it to operate drones for more deliveries in a wider area. 🇫🇷 Pharmacists in France have gone on strike for the first time in a decade, closing around 90% of pharmacies across the country. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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Hello Retail Friends, I am pleased to announce the release of our latest Pricing and Promotions research report, developed with Incisiv. This report, surveying 179 retail executives across the US and EMEA, will be presented at Groceryshop in Las Vegas this week - be sure to come see us at booth #A610 to learn more.    Key findings include:   🔹 93% of shoppers demand more value: With 84% citing price as critical, 87% of retailers have adopted aggressive discounting strategies to sustain sales and loyalty.   🔹 $1 trillion in sales driven by promotions in 2023: Amid economic uncertainty, promotions are essential. 87% of retailers plan to maintain or increase promotional efforts in 2024.   🔹 Low adoption of advanced analytics: Only 12% of retailers use real-time data, advanced algorithms, and AI, impacting their agility.   🔹 Critical challenges in data quality and integration: Effective promotional strategies require accurate, unified data, yet cultural resistance also hinders progress.   🔹 Reliance on outdated systems: 37% of retailers still use spreadsheets, lacking the agility needed for dynamic market conditions.   The report highlights the need for integrated pricing and promotional capabilities. By leveraging advanced technology, retailers could achieve an additional $450 billion in incremental sales.   I encourage industry leaders to explore this report for strategic insights to drive growth and innovation.   #RetailLeadership #PricingStrategy #Promotions #MarketResearch #RetailInnovation #Groceryshop #GroceryForum #RELEXSolutions   https://lnkd.in/eSjYKxqC

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👟🌟 Exciting insights! Dive into the latest findings from the 2024 Spring U.S. Footwear Consumer Survey by AlixPartners & Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), showing a strong shift towards athletic shoes this season. As consumers prioritize branded stores and seek out promotional deals, the landscape of footwear spending is evolving dramatically. Discover how these trends are reshaping the industry and what it means for your brand. Full details in this insightful article by my colleagues Ryan Poole and Bryan Eshelman! #FootwearTrends #ConsumerBehavior #RetailInsights #AlixPartners #WhenItReallyMatters https://lnkd.in/evaHipdA

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July retail sales as reported by U.S. Census Bureau illustrate consumers are focused on back to school. National Retail Federation's Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D. stated "Households are proceeding with measured spending and getting the benefit of falling retail prices despite still-elevated prices for services. Even with growth of the labor force cooling, consumer spending remains the backbone of the economy and is keeping the expansion on a positive path. " Read on below for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gu7msaqX

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Who's winning in retail?? - It is all coming out in our AlixPartners 2024 Consumer Sentiment Index. I had the pleasure of discussing major findings with CNBC's Gabrielle Fonrouge. See link below for Gabrielle's article, as well as link to our full report. Ask me about it - there's even more behind the report. We surveyed 9000 consumers and asked what makes them shop (and buy!) across Fashion Sectors, and who's winning according to the consumers (Walmart, American Eagle Outfitters Inc., Nike, Macy's, Kohl's and others)! (Full report here: https://lnkd.in/ejyutg7v)

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"It’s about extending our ability to find incredible brands we believe our customers will love and introducing them to those brands at a bigger scale, without the cost of a #wholesale model.” A lot to applaud in Nordstrom's #marketplace launch (#TLDR their vision is to become "The Spotify of #Fashion") ... enabling broader, deeper assortments; building out extended sizes; making marketplace items accessible to in-store #stylists; offering tailoring and alterations; and perhaps most importantly, allowing in-store #returns for marketplace purchases. In addition, I think they should use this as an opportunity to extend beyond "#gifting, #home, and #outdoor" and build share of wallet across a broader range of products and services. For some retailers, a marketplace is a chance to try and become #TheEverythingStore. For most, however, it's an opportunity to curate a range of goods and services that are tailored to your target customer(s), without the requisite costs of setting up #fullstack teams., processes, and #OTB to support. https://lnkd.in/g9aR6sjE

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I am excited to share that my latest article has been published by CEOWorld! Drawing from my experience as a retail leader, I explore strategies that companies can implement to foster a consumer-centric team culture. This approach enhances the consumer experience, giving companies a competitive edge. Take a look at the article here: https://lnkd.in/dx7TkU8M #retailleadership #retail #leadership #womeninleadership #inspirationalleadership #CEOWorld

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In partnership with Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), our AlixPartners Fall 2024 U.S. Consumer Footwear Survey dives into the changing behaviors of customers and seasonal trends. As kids prepare to head back to school, parents are faced with the challenge of juggling budgets and keeping their children in style. Our survey reveals how #footwear companies can meet consumers where they are today. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eWrrCSmT

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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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Aloha Friday! 🤙🏼 Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Friday, June 28: 👟 Shares of Nike tumbled after hours on Thursday after the athletic-wear giant dimmed its expectations for the year as it grapples with wobbling consumer demand and cuts production on lower-selling classic sneakers. 🏥 Walgreens is planning to close more of its roughly 8,700 stores in the United States, its parent company said on Thursday, after the retail pharmacy giant reported third-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations. 🚜 Tractor Supply Company said it is done with corporate diversity and many environmental efforts, a striking reversal as more companies face criticism of these initiatives from conservative activists. 🏬 Saks Fifth Avenue is expanding its luxury personal shopping and styling service through new standalone locations. The Fifth Avenue Club concept will expand the total number of standalone locations to 20 by the end of the year. 🎯 Target plans to crack down on retail theft by lowering the threshold for how much shoplifters can swipe before employees are allowed to finally step in. The threshold will come down to $50 from $100. 👨🏼‍⚖️ Kroger chief executive Rodney McMullen told shareholders on Thursday that he is prepared to defend the company's proposed $25bn takeover of Albertsons as it heads to court to face antitrust regulators. 🥫 As Sam's Club opens more locations, it is trying to raise the bar for its own brand, Member’s Mark. The label’s makeover has become critical for Sam’s Club as it aims to close the gap with Costco. 🍉 Grocery inflation has cooled substantially since its 2022 peak. Despite the cooldown, surveys show consumers are still struggling to come to terms with how much food costs today. 🌮 Taco Bell announced Thursday that it’s entering the food wars battle with one of its biggest deals ever - the Luxe Cravings Box, a collection of its four of its most popular foods plus a medium drink for $7. 🩺 The pay-per-visit Amazon Clinic telehealth service is now Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit. Customers now have two options when seeking care from Amazon One Medical: Pay-per-visit or a membership option. 👰🏽‍♀️ Adding another product category to its business, David's Bridal has launched its first shapewear collection, dubbed Shapewear DB Studio. Priced between $24.95 and $49.95, the collection is available in sizes small to 2XL. 🥤 Arizona Iced Tea launched in 1992 at 99 cents for a 22-ounce can. It still costs the same amount in 2024. If the price had kept pace with inflation  it would cost 124% more than it does today. 🧸 A stuffed Mothman plush figure appeared to have sold out on Thursday within hours of its release on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website. ☕️ Gloria Jean Kvetko, who expanded a namesake chain of coffee shops across the country, has died aged 82. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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The topic of innovation is top of mind in the performance running shoe market – especially if you ask Nike, which has been widely criticized for having a lackluster product pipeline by analysts and the Street in recent months. But for Deckers chief executive officer Dave Powers, this isn’t an issue for its star running brand Hoka. Indeed, on the product front, Hoka is driving growth and consumer acquisition through innovative updates and new introductions across a diverse assortment of footwear. Footwear News Deckers Brands HOKA Nike Dave Powers #running #hoka #runningshoe #earnings #sneakers #nike #marathon

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Retail sales are forecasted to increase +0.3% in July MoM, according to economists surveyed by the The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. That increase would follow better-than-expected figures the month before that showed consumers maintained their spending habits. Catching up on The Home Depot's Q2'24 earnings call, results suggest consumers are demonstrating a “deferral mindset” as they await potential rate cuts. Read on below for more: https://lnkd.in/gBCrbc-2

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🚀 Big News Alert: Saks Buys Neiman Marcus with a Boost from Amazon! 🚀 Hey everyone! Just had to share this HUGE update in the luxury retail world. Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent company is dropping $2.65 billion to scoop up Neiman Marcus, and guess what? Amazon’s in on the action, bringing their tech and logistics game. 🛍️✨ Here’s the Tea: • Power Move: Merging two luxury legends to create a mega retail powerhouse. • Tech Boost: With Amazon on board, expect next-level tech integration for a seamless shopping experience, both online and offline. • Big Bucks: Financed by top-tier investors like Rhône Capital and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, plus $1.15 billion in debt from Apollo Global Management. • Market Shakeup: The new combo will hit around $10 billion in annual sales, giving them major leverage with suppliers and streamlining costs. Why It’s a Big Deal: This merger shows how vital tech and partnerships are in today’s retail scene. It’s proof that luxury retail is evolving and adapting, even when times are tough. For investors, this move is a clear sign of confidence in the luxury sector’s future and the potential for new opportunities. Big things are coming, and I am excited to be part of this evolving industry. Stay tuned for more updates as we keep pushing the boundaries in luxury retail!

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Get the Inside Scoop: Unveiling Customer Insights with Waanee AI Survey Bot In today's dynamic retail landscape, understanding your store managers' perspectives is crucial. They're the backbone of your operations, and their this feedback can be time-consuming and expensive. Traditional methods like surveys or in-person meetings may take managers away from their busy schedules or lack the personal touch. **Introducing Waanee AI Survey Bot: Your Conversational Feedback Partner** Waanee AI Survey Bot offers a revolutionary approach to collecting store manager feedback. Imagine having a friendly and efficient AI assistant that chats with your managers over the phone, just like catching up over coffee. Here's what makes Waanee AI Survey Bot a game-changer: -Cost-Effective: For a price comparable to a cup of coffee, you can gain valuable insights. -Conversational & Voice-Enabled: The bot interacts naturally, allowing managers to express themselves freely. -Self-Configurable: Set it up easily without needing technical expertise. -Powered by NLP & AI:** Uncover critical issues buried within the feedback data for immediate action. **Benefits Beyond Convenience** Waanee AI Survey Bot goes beyond just casual conversation. Here's how it empowers you: -Timely Interventions: Identify concerns quickly and take action before they escalate. Actionable Insights: Use AI-powered analysis to prioritize and address critical feedback. Improved Communication:Foster a culture of open communication with your store managers. **The Future of Feedback is Here** Waanee AI Survey Bot is a powerful tool that can transform the way you gather and utilize store manager feedback. It's affordable, efficient, and provides actionable insights that can directly impact your bottom line. **Ready to take your customer focus to the next level?** Let Waanee AI Survey Bot be your secret weapon for success. #conversationalai #waanaeeai #customerexperience #surveybots #contactcenterai

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The psychology of shopping for fashionable swimwear is fraught with challenges. See my comments in this Huffington Post article for key retail insights. https://lnkd.in/emKjq5rh #fashion #swimwear #fashionbusiness #fashionretail #fashionconsumer

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Bloomingdale's CEO on the Future of American Department Stores. About a year into his tenure as Bloomingdale’s chief executive, Olivier Bron knows what’s ailing American department stores: too much focus on financial returns, and not enough on shoppers. An outsider to American #fashion who has worked as an executive for Parisian department store Galeries Lafayette and Thai retail conglomerate Central Group, Bron believes the value of the format hasn’t changed since its invention 300 years ago — a sprawling space promising endless variety, with beautiful displays and persuasive salespeople. Simply displaying a mainstream offering of fashion isn’t enough. Discovery is about creating something new: bringing two brands together in collaboration, for instance, or an intricately themed event that people have never seen before. A New Standard for Partnership Bron’s strategy is rooted in winning back the favour of fashion brands that have grown wary of #wholesale, as well as making changes that will resonate with Bloomingdale’s’ particular demographic. Its shoppers tend to be younger and prefer a less formal shopping experience — a largely different profile from customers who visit standalone brand boutiques. The Bloomies’ Experience Bron also has big plans for the 57 existing Bloomingdale’s locations, taking a page out of his experience managing department stores in Asia and Europe: strong product assortment, great customer service and an emphasis on Bloomingdale’s own unique branding. In recent months, Bloomingdale’s has started making store improvements, from lighting upgrades and new furniture to renovating entire departments. Now, it’s looking to make major alterations in its 59th street Manhattan flagship, including expanding the luxury footprint, building new shop-in-shops and revamping its design shoe section. “It’s not just about products, but the joy and pleasure of shopping, from the façade and curbside of the building to all the small things inside the store,” said Bron. “It’s always a surprise to our customers, and that’s fantastic.” #retail #fashionindustry #bloomingdales #nyc #paris #toronto #manhattan #shopping #womenswear #shoes #ceo #fashionbrands #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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#podcast #retailleadership #retailgrowth Welcome to "From Store Assistant to Store Manager: Mastering Retail Leadership," your ultimate guide to climbing the retail career ladder. Whether you're starting as a store assistant or aiming for a management position, this podcast is designed to help you succeed at every level. We'll dive deep into the essential skills and competencies required for each role, from providing exceptional customer service and mastering communication as a store assistant to strategic planning and financial management as a store manager. Join us as we explore actionable insights and practical advice for career advancement. Learn how to demonstrate leadership, handle complex customer issues, and develop your team. Hear from an industry expert and successful retail professional who shares their experiences and tips on what it takes to excel and move up in the retail world. Tune in to discover how to navigate your retail career, gain the necessary skills, and unlock new opportunities. Whether you're looking to enhance your current role or ready to take the next step, this podcast equips you with the knowledge and confidence to achieve your career goals in the dynamic world of retail. https://lnkd.in/eqND6RJq

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Kmart used to be the Retail King! Sadly, the crown hasn’t been theirs for quite some time. K-mart's fall from grace can be linked to (but not limited to): ▶️A failure of to innovate in the face of competition from the likes of Wal-Mart (although this is not just restricted to K-mart only, department stores in general are laggards when it comes to innovation). ▶️Second, poor standards of product assortments and visual merchandising. ▶️Finally, a merger with Sears where the only value that K-mart brought to the table was its real estate footprint - there was no desire for those in charge to do well as a retail brand. Put these, and other factors, together and the end result is a once iconic brand goes and bites the dust. Is all hope lost for this retailer? Definitely. It's not worth the time, effort or expense to even try. The K-mart brand has been devalued because of years of leadership level ineptness and reviving it will have limited nostalgic benefit....if that. Thank you Nicole Kirichanskaya and Inside Retail US for including my POV on the story alongside my friend Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail. #retailnews #retail #stores #innovation #merchandising #kmart #TRE

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