Merchandising

CPG manufacturers and retailers have never had as much data and analytical solutions available as they do now. These offer seemingly endless possibilities to plan the "perfect store," but it can easily become overwhelming, especially when also considering the ever-changing retail landscape and the pace at which shopper and competitor behavior evolves. Ultimately, when planning…

In the retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) world, insight is everything. With insights into shopper motivations and behaviors, brands and retailers can anticipate new consumer trends. With insight into store-level performance, brands can identify category leaders and emerging competitors. Insights into category and market dynamics can reveal potential for expansion or innovation. With all…

In episode 333 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Joe Fisch, CEO and chief financial officer of Wine Access, a leading direct-to-consumer wine retailer best known for offering exclusive, carefully selected wines from around the world. Fisch discusses the Wine Access business and product offerings, his professional background that led him to join…

During a keynote session yesterday at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City, Elizabeth Spaulding, CEO of Stitch Fix, discussed how the styling service for women, men and kid's is evolving from its "Fix" box business into a personalized online shopping destination. Spaulding was interviewed by Lauren Thomas, retail reporter at CNBC. The…

It’s a great day for a merchant when a shopper decides to make a purchase. Not only have they made a sale, but they’ve also created an opportunity for a lasting customer relationship. But to build a successful customer relationship, retailers and brands must remember that their job doesn’t end with a transaction. The customer…

J.C. Penney announced on Monday that it's adding Forever 21 to its portfolio of national fashion brands. Shoppers will be able to find Forever 21 products at 100 of the 650 J.C. Penney stores across the nation, as well as on the retailer's website. Apparel items that will be available include tops, bottoms and dresses. The…

As retailers prepare for yet another pandemic-altered holiday shopping season, there are a higher-than-usual number of uncertainties they must address to best serve their customers and drive sales. The good news is that sophisticated and increasingly accessible technology solutions are making that task easier. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool…

In episode 324 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Sarah Philips, vice president of marketing, and Tim Pitt, former senior vice president of marketing and merchandising, at Rent-A-Center, a rent-to-own industry leader. Philips and Pitt discuss how consumer behavior has shifted among Rent-A-Center customers in the last year-plus, how the business has reacted to those…

Customers have high expectations for online shopping. Not only do online retailers need to imitate the experience of in-store shopping, they also need to make online shopping worthwhile to their customers. For consumers, online shopping can be risky. Is the ordered product what they were expecting? How soon do they need the product? Will it…

Today’s shoppers expect a lot from online retailers. In a June PwC survey of global shoppers, respondents ranked important e-commerce attributes. Coming in at the top were fast, reliable delivery; in-stock availability; ease of returns; and convenient site navigation. These results underscore that the most important thing an online retailer can do to drive sales…