Don't Close Your Stores Just Yet

The companies that succeed going forward will be those that build the best consumer-facing network, whether that be retail stores, an e-commerce site, mobile apps and website, catalog, etc. It's about the brand, the product and the experience, Storch said.

Merchandising is an area where Toys"R"Us excels, Storch believes. That's a good thing considering he lists merchandising as the core skill in retail. In fact, he says the brand already knows what the hot toy of the holiday season will be, he just wasn't willing to give up that information to the packed session. He wants to keep it a secret so Toys"R"Us can buy up all of those toys and grow its market share.