Nick Stenson

In this new survey-driven report, learn how fashion and beauty brands use a unified e-commerce model to create a frictionless customer experience. Sponsored by BigCommerce.

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Tough reporting day for Kohl’s, surprising with soft Q1 sales. On the plus side:  -Delivered gross margin expansion and managed down inventory  -Early success in underpenetrated categories, positive trends in Women’s, and continued strong Sephora growth.  -New opportunity through Kohl’s Babies “R” Us partnership For a summary of today’s highlights, see MPG’s Earnings Report Recap below. For a conversation on the implications for your brand strategies, reach out to Jaspreet Kaleka. #retail #marketing #Kohls #omnichannel #mpg #marketperformancegroup

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Book Preview Excerpt. "Help! I'm Covered in Adjectives - Cosmetic Claims & The Consumer" Second Edition. #cosmeticclaims #beautyclaims #beauty #cosmetics #cosmeticindustry #beautyindustry #cosmeticbusiness #cosmeticregulations #influencer #journalist #cosmeticscience

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Why is there still such a big gap between corporate vision and store execution? The vast majority of sales are completed (or fulfilled) in stores, but store operations and associates seem to get less investment, voice and respect. Here are some thoughts from last weeks Future Stores where I was lucky enough to meet many talented execs and learn how they are delivering excellence. Blenders Eyewear uses stores as a Lab ie: focus group Jeff Fisher SWAROVSKI is adding and retrofitting locations based on new store concepts devised in the pandemic period Jochen Schmidt PACSUN brings store associates into corporate to work with developers to make sure applications are easy to use and provide functions needed Joel Quill Fabletics is beta testing #RFID to improve inventory control, customer service, and reduce shrink Katherine Dela Cruz Paulk Macy's Connected Fitting Room is driving tangible benefits in test stores Fave #Quotes Janis Avila “Silos are the biggest barrier to great CX” Phil Amandola “Take those cuffs off” Benjamin Thiele-Long “Retail experience is equally important to the people working in stores and those who shop in them“ #genZ Panel "Don’t assume I can’t afford to shop in your store, and don’t bother me with 10% offers" Jeff Fisher "we don't believes in #omnichannel we believe in ‘Customer Channel’ Joel Quill "RFID won't solve shrink, but it will point you in the right direction" Worldwide Business Research (WBR) RetailWire Zainab Hayat Ted McCaffrey - Omnichannel Champion Lena Moriarty Elizabeth Robillard Kristin Paulick Schoenstein Alicia Thorpe eTail™

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Ulta Beauty's recent Q1 earnings report highlights a significant shift in the beauty retail landscape, suggesting that the industry may be entering a period of moderation following years of explosive growth. While Ulta saw a modest 3.5% increase in net sales and a 1.6% rise in comparable store sales, these figures represent a slowdown compared to previous quarters. CEO Dave Kimbell attributed this deceleration to intensified competition and changing consumer preferences. Despite new brands and strong engagement with luxury products, Ulta experienced mid-single-digit declines in makeup sales, a sign that last year's growth surge is tapering off. This shift is not unique to Ulta; the broader beauty sector is grappling with similar challenges, as indicated by rising competition from online platforms like Amazon and successful in-store collaborations such as Sephora within Kohl's. Do the trends Ulta reference point to a potential industry-wide slowdown as inflation and economic pressures mount, impacting consumer spending habits even in the resilient beauty category? The phenomenon known as the "lipstick effect"—where consumers continue to purchase small luxuries during economic downturns—appears to be losing some of its protective power. Ulta's strategic adjustments, including lowering annual sales guidance and planning new brand collaborations, aim to regain momentum. However, these measures reflect a broader recalibration within the beauty industry, signaling that even this previously robust sector is not immune to the evolving economic landscape and competitive dynamics. #BeautyTrends #UltaBeauty #CosmeticsIndustry #MakeupSales #EconomicImpact #BeautyMarket #ConsumerTrends #RetailGrowth #InflationImpact #LipstickEffect

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How refreshing - tech deployed thoughtfully in a win/win for customers and store associates alike. Ask us how we can help you rethink your own edges to be in the forefront of meaningful CX and engagement.

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See you Monday, besties 😎 . . . #beautynews #beautytrends #beautywriters #beautybrands #beautymarketing #beautybloggers #beautybusiness #beautyblog #beautyindustry #thebeautybrief

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👑 Is the 'Kim K Effect' real in Hair Extensions? Ever wondered why everyone's clamoring for the latest Kim K-inspired hairstyle in the beauty biz? 💥 In 2024, we're not just following trends—we're setting them. The Kim K Effect transcends mere buzz - it's an unstoppable force. But what can we learn from it? 🌟 Insights 🌟 • I witness it firsthand from 'the chair' with countless asks to emulate her hair design. You either 'get it' as a professional with recommendations, or you don't - and potentially lose revenue. Your POV on trends impacts your bottom line. • Fact: Following Kylie Jenner's admission of lip augmentation in 2015, searches for "lip fillers" skyrocketed by 3,233 percent (Source: Allure). • The Kardashian's influence on the beauty industry can be measured by the success of her many collabs, product launches (KKW made $100 million in first year!) and social media impact. She has the ability to drive consumer trends (Source: Forbes). 🔥 Hot Takes 🔥 • Myth: People think it's all about the fame. • Truth: Real influence come from the transformative confidence her style brings. • My two cents? Kim K's not just setting styles - she's creating new beauty stories and will be for decades to come. Bottom line? The beauty industry isn’t just about copying looks. It’s about the deeper influence and the bold statements we make with our style recommendations and choices. 💡 Seen the Kim K Effect play out in your business? Drop your stories insights below. Let's get this convo started! #TrendingInBeauty #NextLevelLuxe #TaniaCrawford

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Everything you need to know about moisturizing, whether or not you even need it and how to do it correctly.

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I fixed the subhead of this article! 🤣 👉 How Kelly Slater Learned to Love Sunscreen. The surfing legend, a vocal opponent of chemical-based sun protection, is launching his own line of chemical-based skincare products this week. #beautyindustrynews #cosmeticchemist #cosmeticscience

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Strategies and tactics about how to gather richest shoppers. A lot of conventional and close-to-conventional activities from top retailers like Neiman Marcus Group and Saks Fifth Avenue. Is it a true luxury experience? Or -at the end- is something like a mass-market (in smaller numbers)? #luxury #jewelry #jewellery https://lnkd.in/eNcCVgpG

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Macro economic conditions are something to consider when determining a beauty business strategy. Target to lower prices on 5K items. The price cuts are centered on nondiscretionary grocery, household, and health and beauty items. #beautyindustrynews #businessofbeauty

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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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SalonCentric - A Subsidiary of L'Oreal USA just sent an email about the new work option for beauty professionals, called ArtistOnGo (AOG) I believe this concept is going to revolutionize the way pros work in the same way salon suites did. It may even rival suites which will be a great pivot. The concept is; Beauty Professionals can rent a chair from a salon listed on the AOG platform. You get to select whether you want to do hourly, weekly or monthly rentals. You have the option to rent multiple locations and you can choose the aesthetics of the salons you want to be paired with. Honestly this is GENIUS! I am really excited to see this expand as the current available options for beauty pros have been choosing the lesser evil. - A suite provides your own space, you manage your money, you set the aesthetic. The minimum payment is $300/week. Which is not feasible for most, as our bookings are cyclical rather than consistent. Even if you are the exception and you are fully booked, you get burnt out quickly. - A commissioned hairstylist/booth renter gives up 35% - 70% of their earnings based on their contractual agreement. If a service is $100, they make $30 - $70 BEFORE tax. Hence the great migration to suits or lack of enthusiasm from stylists. - Home salon owners are met with lower expenses mainly rent, but the proximity of your personal life to your professional life leaves a blur. That blur impacts the guest experience, as family aren't always mindful that it's a business. - Travelling hairstylist have to include travelling fees in their prices, as well as pack up all their supplies in their vehicle, carry it into the location, set up, then begin the service. Most times the surroundings aren't favorable, between kids touching the equipment and chemical services that require a functional sink, it can get overwhelming quickly. Artist on the Go, if partnerships with a spectrum of salons are secured in all states, it looks like a match made in heaven. Salon owners get money for empty chairs, stylist pay for their time, they can do multiple locations and clients get a salon experience. SalonCentric - A Subsidiary of L'Oreal USA this email intrigued me. Great share! ArtistOnGo I hope the New York born concept Flourishes nationally.

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Distributors no longer look at what retailers you are sold in other countries. Well, they certainly do it less than before Consumers do though Why are some retailers have such a global audience and others don’t Let’s look at the US Brands in Sephora have a much wider organic global reach than brands in Ulta Because tourists or foreigners living in US tend to know the Sephora brand Looking on 小红书 little red book which is a very important Chinese social platform Brands in Sephora USA have much more discussion around them compared to brands just in Ulta. Why is this… Sephora is better known in China On Red book Sephora has over 90,000 mentions vs. Ulta who has only 6,500 Sephora is present in many Asian markets but it is not the shopping destination that it is in the US so this is not a key reason Most of the top US brands in the premium space start with Sephora so Chinese consumers discover brands who are mentioned by influencers or through friends and family who live in the US and so often these brands are found in Sephora So as a brand know that if you are not in Sephora US then you can actively cultivate the Chinese living in the US or target the travelling Chinese to give your brand a kick start. #ulta #sephora #chinabeauty #global

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Reflecting on RICE last week, here are my (extended version) thoughts and takeaways, which center the themes of personalization, empathy, and innovation: - Especially in the context of AI and how to apply AI meaningfully to brand experiences, we have a tendency to put consumers into easy boxes, not because they're real but because they're easy. Then we get confused when people don't act the way we expect them too, but most of those expectations are based on (often problematic) generalizations. One of the clearest applications for genAI that I heard about is creating more specific and personalized experiences not just based on demographic assumptions -Experiential retail still a huge trend that doesn't seem to be going anywhere; rather than a trend, this really is the evolution of store from buying center to being a hub for services, fun, trying something new, a full multisensory experience, and providing an escapist outlet. American Girl was one of the first to do this with American Girl Place and is really prioritizing this pillar in their modern business. Thinking back to the first really strong experiential retail spaces, it's Disney, American Girl, and Lego. There's a magic to this kind of connection that brands need to chase with empathy. -Speaking of empathy, empathy must be at the center of successful retail, especially for emotionally riddled experiences like weddings. A more empathetic experience builds loyalty. Loyalty programs are moving away from cash based programs because the impact on P&L is complex to track and often a huge cost to the business (the Starbucks effect). David's Bridal is leaning on partnerships to exchange advertising/exposure for big, exciting rewards like a free honeymoon, cars, etc., which Kelly N Cook from David's Bridal provided great examples of. Candidly, this sounds amazing but also hard to believe it's attainable for the average DB customer. -On a broader industry basis, what is the purpose and future of broad retail/ecom industry events? There is so much diversity of function and category it's hard to tie together cohesive content for everyone, even if you do have tracks. Without some kind of very clear functional focus (influencer marketing, product innovation, or sustainability to name a few) or a sector specific focus like fashion or home where similar and adjacent brands can learn from each other, the content can feel a little hit or miss, and I also sensed some conference fatigue from brand-side folks who are hearing too much of the same few things

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