Sharon M. Leite

Why Retail Needs Active Training and Impactful Coaching #RetailSuccess #EffectiveTraining https://hubs.ly/Q02D9FFv0

4

1 Comment

In my experience as a buyer, I viewed brand-buyer relationships as collaborative, but it's crucial to recognize that not all collaborations are equal. When you seek a retail partner for growth - look for a retailer that is collaborative Understand that the retailer still operates as a for-profit business But, know that you play a role in helping them achieve their goals Here are some areas to consider when looking at collaboration with retailers Door Count Bigger does not necessarily mean better. If your original doors aren’t “ALL” that’s ok. Discuss a tiered plan for growth and expansion. Placement Every brand wants to be seen. Your shelf placement, or location in the store can determine how many consumer eyes see your product. Ask where you’re being placed. Marketing Yes, ask for support from the retailer in their advertising vehicles. But know this is the place where the brand does the heavy lifting. Be ready to shout to the rooftops where you are. Forecasts Work closely with buyers, planners, and your ops team to understand projections. Have a reserve stock to plan for overperformance. Sales Expectations Ask upfront about the retailer’s benchmarks. Consider how the category performs too. Check-Ins As a new brand, having regular check-ins with your buying teams is great. This could be quarterly, or monthly depending on the projected sales volume. A lot to cover, and I know you might not be there, yet. So save this for that future retail meeting - cheers! – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, your bridge from niche market to major retail. I’m a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale. Ready to expand your reach? Book a discovery call and let’s explore how we can elevate your brand together.

54

3 Comments

Dear Retail Friends,   If you’re a wholesaler, access to data from suppliers and retail customers is critical in enabling optimal service levels with minimal inventory. But getting that data, and acting upon it, can be challenging.   While there are many hurdles to this kind of collaboration, it can be done. And the benefits are numerous – not just for wholesalers, but their suppliers and retail customers as well.   https://lnkd.in/dbxub36v   #supplychain #supplychainoptimization #wholesaledistribution The future of wholesale supply chain collaboration | RELEX Solutions Unlock insights on boosting wholesale collaboration for supply chain efficiency and profit in this expert interview.

15

BRILLIANT RESEARCH: Five 2024 Holiday Shopping Predictions https://lnkd.in/emwXStw7  Holiday shopping will look different for retailers this year.  After remaining largely resilient throughout four years of economic uncertainty, consumers are finally feeling the pinch.  Nearly a third of global shoppers (32%) reported using alternative credit services like buy now, pay later (BNPL) more frequently this year #retail Digital Commerce 360

2

Few know more about what consumers are facing today — and what that means for retailers — than Circana’s Chief Financial and Growth Officer Anne Bramman. In a keynote presentation to 625 retail leaders at the Women in Retail Leadership Circle's Leadership Summit, Anne explained how Circana’s complete picture of consumers and retail reveals an environment in which retailers can still win on differentiation and product innovation in a period where growth is still challenging. #WIRLS #WIRLS2024 #WIRLSummit

67

Retail sales rose significantly, showing strong increases both month-over-month and year-over-year, as consumers continued to spend and drive growth https://lnkd.in/ekHc4QcA Total retail sales (excluding automobiles and gasoline but including restaurants) rose 1.35% month-over-month in May and were up 3.03% year-over-year #retail Chain Store Age

14

At Flywheel Sourcing, we know that understanding how younger generations navigate the shopping experience and spend their money is essential to developing products that are relevant to new generations of buyers. Consumer needs and values differ across generations, and their purchases reflect that. Connecting with younger generations of shoppers will require different strategies than reaching their parents did. Product development for consumers under 40 requires a new set of considerations. In our most recent blog, we’ll explore what’s important to today’s young shoppers and what to consider when developing products geared toward this demographic. Product Development for Consumers Under 40: What’s Important to Younger Shoppers? — Flywheel https://bit.ly/3JjSgVw

6

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞... A recent RetailWire discussion ponders whether Walmart can take on Trader Joe's with its latest private brand launch, bettergoods. My take was that the brand seemed more Target-esque (shades of Good & Gather) and that it was about time Walmart upped the ante with a "better" private brand in grocery. This weekend, I headed to the freezer to grab my new favorite plant-based ice cream only to find I was out of it. Keep in mind that 1. I'm plant-based but wasn't always. I know the standards analogs need to meet. 2. I've been hitting this ice cream several times per week. It's rich, not too sweet, with a perfect consistency, even after days in the home freezer. 😋 I started backtracking to remember where I bought it. Was it Whole Foods? Fresh Market? I remembered the bright green packaging...very "Target" - that must be it (my more frequent jaunts to Target for plant-based goods still surprise me). I wasn't completely sure so I headed to the recycle bin. Mystery solved. It was - Walmart's "bettergoods" plant-based ice cream. 😯 Well played, Walmart. Well played! ✅ 👏

7

#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.

27

12 Comments

TOP 3 LAST WEEK: 1) Major retailers see store visits rise in Q1; 2) 3 Ways To Measurably Increase Employee Satisfaction; 3) Your Personal Brand Needs a Refresh. Here’s Where to Start https://lnkd.in/erBZ_uHi #retail #leadership

2

Putting yourself in the shoes of your dream retailer can yield an understanding for their priorities. Each year, major U.S. retailers open a crucial window to evaluate new and established brands. This is your golden opportunity to pitch to buying teams. Retail Insight: Product resets in retail are both time-consuming and costly for retailers. Store teams continue to do the things they always do: – Restocking shelves – Serving customers – Maintaining store cleanliness Buying teams are also inundated with extra work: – Creating new blueprints for stores to lay out the new items – Meeting with 100+ brands that all have exciting newness to share – Landing on a strategy that will yield growth Major resets also involve: – Printing new shelf labels – Rearranging product placements – Managing discontinued items – Communicating big bets and strategy from corporate to stores These resets can evoke mixed feelings among retail teams: • Excitement about new products and the potential growth they bring. • Anxieties over the additional workload. Why am I sharing this? Because timing is important, you get one window annually to pitch your brand at big retail. So when you approach the retailers treat it like this is your one shot. Prepare your pitch → Nail it. Share your brand purpose → Inspire them. Understand what it takes to be successful →  Make them believe in you. Take this opportunity to show buyers all of the things your brand has done. Shine bright. PS - Have you pitched to a retailer? Share your experience in the comments. – 👋🏾 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.

31

2 Comments

According to new data from Circana’s consumer tracking service, running shoes — one of the hottest categories in the U.S. footwear market in 2024 — is a $7.1 billion business, with the women’s segment growing even faster than men’s and has almost caught up to its size in the past 12 months. Running shoe sales have grown by $1.3 billion in the past three years, Circana noted, with running footwear dollar sales increasing by 12 percent in the 12 months ending April 2024. As for how consumers are wearing these shoes, it varies. Circana added that it found that 43 percent of consumers bought running shoes for sport and exercise, while over half of the dollars spent are attributed to non-athletic uses, including casual or everyday use (33 percent) and work (7 percent). “While performance is paramount in running footwear, the innovation in the category is also attracting casual wearers that are looking for everyday comfort,” Beth Goldstein, footwear industry analyst at Circana, said in a statement. “The visible functional elements have become fashion for both runners and non-runners alike, commanding premium price points." ”https://lnkd.in/eFdHvGbi

35

1 Comment

The state of the consumer in 2024 is already taking shape — even before the country’s major retailers begin to report first-quarter earnings, starting with Home Depot and Walmart next week. There are signs that the U.S. consumer is still spending, especially on experiences. But stubbornly high prices are squeezing consumers with lower incomes, pressuring everyday purchases and corporate profits. #retailsales #consumerinsights

6

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers are embracing the omnichannel shopping journey https://lnkd.in/ewKkHy3G 73% of consumers blend online research, physical store visits and options such as buy-online-pickup-in-store or in-store returns before making purchase decisions #retail #TRI Chain Store Age

7

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

1

In the ever-changing and competitive world of retail, understanding customer preferences isn’t enough anymore https://lnkd.in/e2veSdKs As more and more shoppers return to stores, retailers are shifting their attention to analyzing in-store traffic #retail Chain Store Age

17

3 Comments

Can heritage brands remain relevant without losing their roots???? One of my favorite topic I covered at eTail™ West with Patricia Vekich Waldron from RetailWire This article beautifully summarizes how we successfully drive growth and innovation while maintaining Hanky Panky’s brand identity and appealing to both our loyal and new customers. ⭐️Understanding Customer Needs: It's essential to understand customer cohorts beyond demographics and focus on their feelings and aspirations to drive product innovation. ⭐️Investing in Innovation: Allocating a portion of the budget to experimental initiatives allows for the freedom to fail and scale successful actions, driving growth. ⭐️Creating Delightful Experiences: Expanding product offerings, enhancing existing items, and creating new experiences are crucial, like our last NYC pop up, for engaging both old and new customers. ⭐️Balancing Heritage and Innovation: Heritage brands must respect their roots while adapting to meet the expectations of today's customers to ensure continued growth and relevance.

34

5 Comments

TGIF! Which means today is The Robin Report's #RetailUnwrapped Podcast. Listen to #RetailConsultant Liza Amlani for insights about #SuccessionPlanning and how PepsiCo has done it so well for a long time. Listen, Read, Subscribe 👇

7

1 Comment