Helayna Minsk’s Post

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Thursday, March 7: 👖 Abercrombie & Fitch Co. capped off an impressive year on its latest earnings day after its stock soared 390% over the past year. Now, the question facing is can A&F keep up the good times against the backdrop of cautious consumers 👟 Foot Locker capped off the year with sales up 2% and comps down 0.7% in the fourth quarter, noticeably better than the company’s guidance. The retailer swung to a net loss, though, recording a loss of $389 million in the quarter. 👙 Shares of Victoria’s Secret & Co. plummeted after hours on Wednesday after the intimate-wear maker forecast full-year sales that were below expectations, saying it was staying “conservative in the near term”. 🧸 Target has officially launched Gigglescape, a new owned toy brand. The current assortment is $20 and under, with most plush toys priced at $10 or less and books at $5, the retailer said in an announcement. 🚫 EXPRESS shares have been suspended from the New York Stock Exchange. NYSE said the company didn’t comply with a requirement to maintain an average global market capitalization of at least $15 million over 30 days. 👧🏼 Target says its in-house children's apparel brand Cat & Jack is the largest kids brand in the US. The retailer said it sells enough for every kid under 12 in the US to have eight items. 🚶🏻♂️ REI employees from the company’s nine unionized stores plan to hike from a park in Issaquah, Washington, to REI headquarters Thursday afternoon to demand that executives come to the table and bargain in good faith. 🚜 Tractor Supply Company has updated its Neighbor’s Club loyalty program. Among the new incentives are a lower threshold to reach the program’s Preferred status, and more personalized perks. 💵 To a growing number of youths, a wallet stuffed with cash and cards is as unfashionable as the millennial tuck, no-show socks and skinny jeans. Carrying only a smartphone is the way, reports The New York Times. 🌟 Some Walmart stores are limiting the use of self-checkout lanes, reserving some for Walmart+ members and drivers for its Spark delivery service, according to reports. 🇬🇧 Katie Bickerstaffe, the joint chief executive of Marks and Spencer, is set to leave the company after just two years in the role. Her departure will leave the UK highstreet retailer under the sole leadership of Stuart Machin. 🌭 For the first-time ever Ocsar Mayer is going plant-based with two new versions of its hot dog and sausage The products, called Oscar Mayer “NotHotDogs” and “NotSausage” roll out nationwide later this year. 🥖 A Panera Bread franchise owner in California said he will raise the minimum wage for his employees after accusations he benefited from ties to the state’s governor to avoid hiking pay. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Sunday, March 3: 👖Levi's is diversifying its product range and enhancing its direct-to-consumer channels under CEO Michelle Gass. With an 11% increase in DTC sales and a plan to boost DTC revenue from 42% to 55% within six years. 🏥 RITE AID continues to shrink its store footprint. The pharmacy retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October, is planning another round of about 77 store closures. 🧘🏼♂️ Legendary long distance Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky has signed a five-year deal to represent women’s activewear brand Athleta. Ledecky joins Athleta’s roster of female athletes 🏬 Two of the biggest names in big-box retail have boosted their bets on a growing trend for brick-and-mortar sales: smaller stores. Best Buy and Macy's announced plans to add small-format stores. 🧴 The Sunday Times reports on how administrators to The Body Shop are closing dozens of stores despite them being profitable. Administrators from FRP have said 82 of its UK stores will close over the next six weeks. 🌟 Walmart is coming for your TVs. Buying a budget TV maker is not the most obvious way to sell more advertising. But when you are America’s biggest retailer, you can afford to make a side bet or two. 🎉 Party City has said it is introducing a new store format and will accelerate remodels based on a successful pilot program. The company has redesigned its balloon shopping experience, which includes a dedicated service area. 🍔 In-N-Out Burger is hoping to expand to the state of Washington. The burger chain has filed a development application for a location in Ridgefield. Washington is the only state in the Pacific Northwest without an In-N-Out. 🚴🏽♀️ Frasers Group, owned by Mike Ashley, has acquired online bicycle retailer Wiggle out of administration. The deal includes the purchase of the brand and intellectual property of both Wiggle andChain Reaction Cycles. 📱 Major retailers JD.COM, Tmall, and Pinduoduo are offering steep discounts on Apple's iPhone 15 in China to attract customers and boost sales. ☕️ Starbucks' founder posted a letter he wrote to the company's leadership team about its future. Howard Schultz said Starbucks is at an "inflection point" and has an opportunity for a "reset." 🎬 Could more price hikes be coming to Netflix this year? Analysts think so: UBS said it expects to see rate increases. #retail #retailnews #economy 

Traditional mall tenants continue to outperform: Think of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and its sister brand Hollister Co. as the comeback kid. The mall-based clothing retailer, which courted teens with dark interiors and loud music in the 1990s and 2000s, put a stamp on its comeback with mostly remodeled bright stores in the 2020s, posting its best first quarter in the company’s history. The retail chain reported $1 billion in net sales, a 22% jump from last year. The Hollister brand managed a 12% growth in same-store sales, defying a soft economy. The growth was widespread, with revenue up 23% in the Americas and 19% in Europe, where the U.K. and Germany led the gains. The results marked the sixth straight quarter of gains. Profits on these sales also surged, with operating margins rising 860 basis points to 12.7%. For every $1 in revenue A&F brought in this past quarter, it roughly tripled that sale's profits. The company owes its blowout numbers to well planned clearance sales of overripe winter fashions, a pull-back on promotions and inventory, and its fashion predictability, like the wide-leg, low-rise jean that was known half a century ago as bell bottoms that hippies like your grandparents used to wear. This retail success—which propelled a 285% stock growth that even exceeded Nvidia’s stock growth last year—has been due to a seven-year disciplined transformation of Abercrombie’s brands to focus on young millennials (the mid-twenties consumer). But apparently, Abercrombie is also attracting middle-age fashion forward shoppers nostalgic for their youth by introducing a wider range of sizes. Abercrombie’s comeback represents a beacon of hope for other apparel retailers that were once stalwart mall brands. At AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS INC. revenue gained 6% year over year and marked a record for first quarter results. Gap Inc. (due to report earnings after the stock market closes today) is expected to report consistently with this positive trend, even as department stores continue to wither as they struggle to cater to the young customer. In the earnings statement, A&F CEO Fran Horowitz said, “we continue to make strategic investments across stores…” That’s key for retailers to thrive, in my view. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates about 750 stores across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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

It was great to hear from the CEO of Kohl's, Tom Kingsbury, at Shoptalk yesterday. Tom outlined Kohl’s plans for getting back to growth. The four main areas of focus are: 1. Enhancing the customer experience 2. Accelerating and simplifying the value strategy  3. Managing inventory and expense with discipline 4. Strengthening the balance sheet There were two general things that stood out for me. First, the focus on the fundamentals of retail. Tom is a retailer and merchant, so this isn’t surprising; he’s not playing games with real estate or finances, he’s getting down to brass tacks. Second, simple fixes are being quickly executed – such as ensuring there are more impulse buys at registers and that seasonal assortments are displayed at the front of the store. Both of these things are good, but I still believe that Kohl’s has an awful lot of heavy lifting if it wants to revive the brand. We kept hearing about how Kohl’s being in mostly off mall locations is a big strength. In terms of being where the footfall is, that’s true. But the location doesn’t matter much if the brand, and the stores and products, are not up to scratch. And the honest truth is that, at present, Kohl’s falls short. Moreover, being in these spaces means Kohl's bumps up against the likes of Target and TJX's banners, both of which have been taking share from the department store. Sephora was mentioned a lot as it’s something of a success story for Kohl’s. By 2025, Sephora in Kohl’s will generate $2 billion in sales. Tom mentioned that 40% of Sephora purchases have another item from Kohl’s in the bag. This is interesting, but it leaves a question: are these Kohl’s shoppers who have bought a Sephora item or are they new Sephora shoppers who are now buying this from the Kohl’s assortment. Given the current poor sales figures from Kohl’s, I would assume the latter. Again, this underlines that big improvements are needed in the core offer. There are plans to do this with a big launch of an expanded homewares range, being more aggressive on price, chasing styles in fashion, and trying to diversify more into dressy away from the focus on sports apparel. Marketing will also be boosted to communicate these changes to potential customers. There is a lot to like in what Tom had to say. Directionally, Kohl’s is on the right track. My nagging doubt is around execution and whether this will be enough to really transform the fortunes of Kohl’s. #Shoptalk #Shoptalk2024 #retail #departmentstores #retailnews ___ Picture: CNBC's Melissa Repko talks to Kohl's CEO Tom Kingsbury at Shoptalk.

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Saturday, February 17: 👖 rag & bone is headed in a new direction. The brand — which started in premium denim and aspired to a more designer or luxury positioning — agreed to sell itself to Guess and brand management firm WHP Global. 🇬🇧 The British ‘King of Trainers’ is taking on the land of sneakers. Retailer JD Sports Fashion thinks it can conquer a depressed US market with its sportswear-as-fashion concept. 🏥 RITE AID is to lay off employees as it transitions California warehouse operations. The drugstore chain will close its Woodland distribution center and shift work to its facility in Lancaster. 👟 Crocs reported another record year of earnings Thursday, with revenue reaching nearly $3.96 billion. That’s up 11.5% from $3.55 billion a year ago. Net income for the year was $792.6 million. 👜 Large multi-brand online retailers focusing on luxury, like Net-a-Porter, are struggling. Where does that leave the future of luxury e-commerce? The model is trending more toward DTC. 📈 Wholesale inflation, as measured by the Producer Price Index, rose more than expected in January, adding to what has so far been a disappointing inflation picture for the month. 🫙 Tupperware said it has secured financial flexibility while it explores strategic alternatives for the company. The company said that it entered into a forbearance agreement with its lenders. 👞 Zappos is switching up its marketing strategy this year by tapping everyday people in lieu of top-tier talent for campaigns and influencer-led projects. As part of this effort, Zappos is highlighting real-world runners. ⛽ Gasoline prices are moving swiftly higher across the country. The national average has climbed 11 cents in the past week alone, to $3.28 a gallon, according to AAA. 🍔 Diners are getting annoyed at how expensive fast food has become — and the likes of McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Shake Shack seem to be listening. The chains say diners should expect smaller price increases this year. ☕ Starbucks has unveiled a new store design that puts the focus on accessibility and inclusion. The format at its new store at Union Market in Washington DC features such as optimized acoustics and lighting. 👕 Marks and Spencer has partnered with Puma and Reebok to strengthen its range of external brands. Over 140 products from the two brands will be added to M&S's website as part of its "Brands at M&S" strategy. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong's major food delivery platforms charge as much as 85% more for orders compared with takeaway prices at outlets, while some meals arrive outside the estimated time, the city's consumer watchdog has found. #retail #retailnews #economy 

Gap #CEO's Reflection on #Retail #Strategy** ‘You barely knew what we were actually selling’: Gap CEO Richard Dickson on the brand’s heavy discount strategy Richard Dickson 's insights shed light on Gap's past challenges, emphasizing a historic reliance on discounts that obscured the brand's essence. In the era of heavy online promotions, the CEO admits a lack of clarity in conveying product value. Despite recent positive Q3 earnings, the subdued holiday sales forecast signals ongoing hurdles. Dickson's success in revitalizing Mattel, Inc. ' Barbie ® Brand demonstrates his transformative capabilities. His departure for Gap reflects a commitment to revitalizing legacy brands. Acknowledging the need for brand differentiation within Gap Inc.'s portfolio Athleta , Old Navy , Banana Republic , and Gap ), Dickson emphasizes the importance of precise communication in every brand detail. The CEO advocates a return to Gap's origin story, urging a reconnection with the cultural conversation. The call for creativity and risk-taking in advertising aligns with Gap's historical emphasis on denim, as hinted in recent campaigns. Dickson's departure from Mattel, despite the Barbie movie's success, underscores his strategic vision for Gap's transformation. TELL ME YOUR BRAND STORY IN 30 SECONDS OR LESS 6 Initiatives To Bring a Brand Back in Focus Your reason for existing is something many retailers lose in translation with offer after offer. However, it’s so important that vision, culture, employee engagement, strategy, innovation and public image can be easily misaligned. And over the years it just continues to play out of control with no script. You see it in service, product, merchandising, advertising and ultimately sales. Getting back in focus starts internally with your brand and its purpose. This is what needs to be addressed: - The narrative internally chases the future instead of creating it. - Things tend to be so wrapped up around technology you forget what made you successful. - If you want to grow profits put people before that, customers and employees. - Your customers have stayed loyal for a reason but do you understand it? - Product must tell the brand story not the discount. - Write and Tell the brand story in 30 seconds so that it is what drives the organization. Easy to remember. As a retail thought leader, Dickson encourages the industry to embrace change, take risks, and learn from failures, hinting at a need for agility in a dynamic retail landscape. The article prompts reflection on the evolving role of iconic brands and the imperative for adaptability in navigating contemporary consumer expectations. https://lnkd.in/gfaxkd7V #RetailInsights #BrandRevitalization #StrategicLeadership #RetailTransformation #Brand #storytelling #communications #thoughtleadership #cmoinsights #gap #retailing #strategy #ceo #retail #technology #innovation #Gap

Foot Locker’s turnaround is showing signs of life, CEO sees consumers willing to pay full price. Foot Locker on Thursday posted better-than-expected comparable sales as CEO Mary Dillon’s turnaround plan shows signs that it’s beginning to bear fruit. The former Ulta boss said average selling prices increased during the quarter, proving that consumers are willing to pay full price for the right product. The sneaker company has been working to reverse an ongoing sales slump by revamping its stores and winning back brands. $FL https://lnkd.in/eCGFnvsQ #tradeguard #receivableputoptions #arputs #receivableputs #tradereceivables #accountsreceivables

Macy's expansion into private brands is not just a timely move; it's a masterclass in how to leverage private branding as a cornerstone of retail strategy. With an ambitious goal of making private brands account for 25% of total sales by 2025, Macy's is showing how this avenue can revive a traditional retailer’s fortune. #Privatebrands offer higher profit margins and greater control over #supplychain and quality—critical attributes for sustaining a business in a hyper-competitive market. Moreover, Macy's exhaustive data collection from over 100,000 consumer surveys underscores the brand's commitment to aligning closely with customer needs. The launch of "On 34th," designed for an under-served 40- to 60-year-old demographic, is especially significant as it demonstrates how private brands can not only fill market gaps but also attract a new customer base. As we watch Macy’s meticulously roll out this strategy, the broader question becomes: Are we witnessing the future blueprint for retail success through private brand expansion? #PrivateBranding #RetailInnovation #strategicalignment

Will Kohl’s and Babies"R"Us Be a Beneficial Alliance? In a bid to revitalize its offerings and entice a younger demographic, Kohl's announced a partnership with WHP Global, the proprietors of Babies"R"Us. The collaboration is set to introduce a diverse array of baby products, furniture, and accessories to around 200 Kohl’s stores nationwide, marking a significant expansion of Kohl’s merchandise portfolio. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e9NXf5yq Zel Bianco "This makes sense as so many of the standard items needed for young families can be found at Kohl’s and Babies"R"Us when taken together. The cross-promotional opportunities alone will be good for both. This coupled with WHP Global’s marketing strength should produce positive results." Carol Spieckerman "The key here will be quality. Babies"R"Us under WHP is a pure licensing deal. In other words, Babies"R"Us is a brand whose name will be slapped on goods manufactured by whomever WHP designates... Hopefully, WHP did its homework to ensure this program is compelling, high-quality, consistent, and in-brand." Christine Russo "I have often wondered where mature brands with valuable IP could go in brick-and-mortar. Perhaps Kohl’s is laying the groundwork for being that resource. I think there is something there for that model."