The retail industry is in a profound shift, and for most retailers, it’s adapt or die. Among the survival imperatives: responding intelligently to heightened consumer demand for creative, memorable shopping experiences. These are what reinforce the value of physical retail to shoppers and, consequently, remind brands exactly how valuable their brick-and-mortar spaces are. (Lest we…
Brent Franson
Every year, retailers gear up for what's essentially their Super Bowl, Oscars, Emmys and Grammys rolled into one: the holiday season. Pundits make predictions. Analysts run forecasts. And, of course, every industry player has been plotting strategy for months, looking to beat last year’s numbers and earn kudos for standing out in an extremely crowded…
Perhaps to no one’s surprise, women and men approach some aspects of shopping differently. Our recent research uncovers some important distinctions between the two genders that would be useful for retailers as they develop marketing strategies to reach these different demographics. Here’s what 1,500 consumers told us — plus three tips on how retailers should…
Good retailers are all about nurturing. If you’re doing it right, you’re perpetually taking care of the customers you have — even as you look to the future to attract and nurture the next generation of consumers. However, for many long-established physical retailers, built for an era that no longer exists, it can feel challenging to…
Earnings came and went, and for the retail sector, here’s the bottom line: we’re seeing the market respond to how well (or not) retailers are adjusting to the new reality of mobile-first consumers who shop online and in stores, e-commerce encroachment, and managing the omnichannel transition. A quick snapshot of Macy’s, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com shows…
It doesn’t take a genius to know that the holiday season is the Super Bowl of retail. Retailers plan for months, evaluating the competition, sweating the details, and getting ready for kickoff — i.e., Thanksgiving weekend. And we know why: This year, total holiday sales are estimated to be about $630.5 billion. Generally, holiday sales…
