Melanie (Pastrana) Chambless

I enjoyed chatting with Inside Retail US about the FTC’s attempts to block the Tapestry x Capri Holdings Limited merger. As I told them, the decision does a great disservice to the retail industry and to American companies trying to create brand houses to rival those in Europe – at least in terms of scale. More importantly, however, the case is based on extremely poor logic and a misreading of how the market works. The FTC is meddling in areas that it doesn’t adequately understand. It all too often operates in a theoretical bubble that is divorced from reality. More of my views in the article… https://lnkd.in/eqXTmefT #retail #retailnews #regulation #luxury #handbags

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“Our new store concept cements Foot Locker’s position as the leader in sneaker culture by offering an engaging, cutting-edge shopping experience for the sneaker passionate,” Foot Locker’s president and CEO Mary Dillon stated in a press release.  I spoke with Inside Retail US and Nicole Kirichanskaya and what this all means for the 👟 retailer. Some of my insights: Foot Locker is headed in the right direction with their ’store of the future’ strategy. In fact, it is long overdue. This strategy will put a spotlight on product obsessed sales associates, hyper-localized assortments as well as curated experiences. Rethinking the physical store will get Footlocker to take customer insights and inform product and store decisions based on location and community. This will make every store different and get customers excited about visiting the retailer. The sneaker industry has lost a lot of its luster. Brands like Nike and Under Armour are overstocked with SKUs, and adidas would have had a rough year if it wasn’t for the Samba. Additionally, there are more brands competing for market share. On and HOKA have taken the running community by storm. Brooks Running is focused on innovation and wholesale while PUMA Group and Reebok are relying on celebrities as creative directors to capture a new customer base. The hype around exclusivity and limited editions is not as exciting for consumers, and it will take a lot more than just the product to persuade shoppers to buy. Retailers like Footlocker have the upper hand if they reimagine the physical store as a destination for innovative and exciting experiences vs. focussing on pushing a handful of brands. It’s all about the customer and getting them to spend time in your store. Find the entire article here --> https://lnkd.in/ebzaEUam Shoutout to Neil Saunders and Marie Driscoll, CFA 🙌🏽 #retail #retailnews #footlocker #footwearnews #stores #cx #merchandising

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DICK'S Sporting Goods Quarter 1 Results: ⚽ Delivers Net Sales of $3.02 Billion, Up 6.2% Versus the Prior Year ⚾ Delivers Double-Digit EBT Margin of 11.3% 🏀 Delivered 5.3% comparable sales growth, driven by growth in transactions and average ticket 🏈 Reported earnings per diluted share of $3.30 with 4% EBT growth 🎾 Raises full year 2024 guidance for comparable sales growth to a range of 2.0% to 3.0%, up from 1.0% to 2.0% previously 🏐 Raises full year 2024 earnings per diluted share guidance to a range of $13.35 to 13.75, up from $12.85 to 13.25 previously #dsglife #dickssportinggoods #results

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Feedback can literally make or break your company. But only if you use it correctly. What is your best tip to use feedback effectively?

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Foot Locker's newly redesigned store doesn’t solve all of its problems, but it is a very good start at remedying some of the ills that have plagued the brand.   Most of the estate looks tired and shops are not conducive to driving sales as they are too functional and don’t always allow Foot Locker to showcase product effectively. This deters customers, especially younger ones who like modern and exciting environments. However, it is also a turn-off for brands like Nike which are conscious about how their products are displayed.    The refresh also brings Foot Locker into line with other retailers. The bar for store design has been set far higher thanks to companies like Lululemon or Vuori, and even Dick’s is investing more in its stores – especially the new House of Sport locations. Its commitment to updating 900 shops shows that Foot Locker does not want to be left behind.    In my view, the plans will also help CEO Mary Dillon, as they are solid evidence to investors that things are changing. Foot Locker has had a string of very bad numbers so Wall Street is now keen to see signs of material change.   However, new stores also need to be accompanied by better sales numbers. This might be more difficult to deliver quickly in a sneaker market that is still very soft and where several brands are still trying to push direct to consumer sales. Thanks to Insider Retail for including more of my thoughts in this piece... https://lnkd.in/eYNiB5vM #retail #retailnews #sneakers #stores #design #sportinggoods

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To all my former Nike colleagues impacted by the layoffs announced this week: 🏃‍♂️ You've probably heard the saying "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon" in countless meetings lately, alongside "There's no finish line," leaving you in a mental tug-of-war. But just like in a marathon, taking time to rest and recover is crucial for professional success. Before sprinting back into the job market, give yourself that breather. 🚧 All great athletes face setbacks. Remember that being cut from the team doesn't define your worth. You have beaten the odds to work for the #1 sportswear company in the world. You will in turn beat the odds in a tough job market to find your next opportunity. ✍ Take time to write down your Nike story—highlight the projects you led, skills you honed, and the impact you made. Instead of fixating on why things didn't pan out, embrace your journey and the lessons it brought. This will empower you to lead with your positive experiences while telling your story. 🤝 Call on a community. With most jobs secured through networking, tackling a challenging market solo may not lead to success. A valuable resource I've found is "Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker’s Playbook" by phyl terry. phyl has developed a reliable framework for navigating the job market, along with a growing network of peer support groups that convene weekly to offer assistance in discovering your ideal job. https://www.phyl.org/ #NikeLayoffs #NeverSearchAlone

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Monday, May 6: 👟 Outdoor retailer REI is betting big on running. After pulling back on its own branded footwear, which the retailer will no longer make, REI is now expanding its footwear offerings with new partnerships with brands like On Running. 👗 Luxury ecommerce platform Mytheresa says it will be one of the few winners following the implosion of competitors including Farfetch and Matchesfashion. The company’s share price has gained c30% so far this year. 💰 After years of price increases, food companies say more consumers are pulling back and big brands are losing out. Fast food chains and snack makers plan new deals and flavors to compensate. 👕 Ralph Lauren has launched his Fall/Holiday 2024 collection in a minimal and intimate fashion show. The collection features designs in soothing neutral tones, Western accents, and occasional cowboy hats. 🏃🏽‍♂️ Dan Sheridan, the CEO of Brooks Running, the running shoe maker owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has said he views China and Europe as strong growth areas for the business. 🤖 AI will manage all Sam's Club exit checks by end of 2024 in an effort to slash bottlenecks at the door. The new tech has been rolled out at 20% of Sam's Club stores so far. 🥫 There’s a new retailer getting into the private-label food business, and it isn’t your local Walmart or Target. It’s Ace Hardware Corporation. The chain has debuted a line of own-brand barbecue sauces and seasonings. 🛍️ Retailers are feeling jittery. Consumers aren’t shopping like they used to. In a game of chicken between stores and shoppers, it’s the stores that appear to be yielding first, by dropping prices on thousands of products. 🎒Beach bag brand ALOHA Collection is riding the retail store wave. The company, which sells splash-proof travel bags and pouches, opened its fifth retail location in the US on Saturday. ☕️ Former Starbucks boss Howard Schultz said the coffee giant needs to renew its focus and own its shortcomings, especially in the US, after the chain delivered disappointing earnings results last week. 💪🏼 More than 80% of business leaders believe the U.S. economy is strong compared to just 40% of American consumers, according to a report from the Milken Institute and Harris Poll. 🚬 The Wall Street Journal suggests that many US cannabis companies could become profitable if the Biden administration follows through on its place to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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Interesting article on remarkable turnaround of Abercrombie & Fitch Abercrombie & Fitch has experienced a significant turnaround, with sales growing by 30 percent year over year in the last four quarters. The brand's parent company, ANF, saw its share price rise from $35 to $194 in the past year, driven by the success of sibling brand Hollister. The credit for this transformation goes to CEO Fran Horowitz and her team, who undertook a complete reinvention of the brand, focusing on talent, culture, processes, and digital investments. The reinvention of Abercrombie involved re-engineering merchant processes, reinventing the brand, and accelerating digital initiatives. Under Horowitz's leadership, the merchandising function was revamped to give merchants more responsibility and incorporate customer and fashion trends. The brand's evolution involved moving away from its previous exclusive image to become more modern, inclusive, and digitally driven, targeting millennials and adults aged 21-40+. The company's digital strategy has been a key focus, with investments in digital marketing, ecommerce, and unified commerce capabilities. Abercrombie has shifted towards a more digital-centric approach, with a significant portion of sales coming from online channels. The brand's current inclusivity and product offerings are strong, but further differentiation from competitors is needed to solidify its position in the market. #abercrombieandfitch #apparel #turnaround

Nike has continued its shift from direct-to-consumer (D2C) to wholesale channels over the past three months. Matthew Friend John Donahoe #Retail #TextileRetail #ApparelRetail #RetailNews #DailyNews #USA #footwear #RetailIndustry #ApparelResources #ApparelIndustry #FashionBrand

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Abercrombie went from being a controversial retailer with a negative image and declining sales to completely turning their business around.  Last year, they were the best-performing stock on the S&P Index at 285 percent! 🔥 They also brought in $4 billion in revenue in 2023.  How’d Abercrombie do it?  It didn’t take rocket science. But it wasn’t easy.  The CEO focused on customer experience, segmentation, and a focused understanding of customer desires. They refocused on an older customer than their earlier teen demographic, which made sense, since their original customer was now in their 20s and working. They allowed their original, loyal customers to grow with their brand.  Then, the business focused its efforts toward delivering a great consumer experience. Now, Abercrombie is one of the hottest brands for the Gen Z demographic.  Have you seen other brands turn their business around like that? Name them in the comments!  #Retail #GenZ #CustomerExperience #ConsumerExperience

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Under Armour took a major hit today as its shares fell by almost 10% 📉 The popular athletic performance brand reported disappointing fourth-quarter results and a bleak financial forecast, leading to a lack of confidence from investors. In Q4, Under Armour's revenue dropped by 5% to $1.3 billion, falling $30 million short of expectations. Furthermore, its earnings per share (EPS) decreased by nearly 39% to $0.11. Looking ahead, the projected EPS for fiscal year 2025 is anticipated to be in the range of $0.18 to $0.21. This recent price decline adds to the company's overall 71% share price plunge over the past three years. #investment #financialmarkets #stockstobuy #stockstowatch #stockmarket #stockmarketnews #stockmarkets #sp500 Not investment advice. Capital at risk.

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For most of my career, I was the only woman at the table. When I was pregnant with my first child, I met with the leaders at my company. And I was gobsmacked. It turns out they didn't even have a maternity leave policy. So I ended up writing my own policy. I learned that if I wanted to create change, I had to do it myself. Comment below: How have you handled inequity in your career?

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One of the standout features of Nirvana Super is that our HMB-infused beverages are designed for everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability. Plus, they taste fantastic. We're excited when sports legends like four-time NBA champion, two-time league MVP and 10-time NBA All-Star Stephen Curry and the parent company of his business endeavors, SC30 Inc. chose to invest in Nirvana Super out of all of their numerous beverage options, reflecting their commitment to wellness and great tasting, scientifically backed products. Our work with Stephen and our other #athleteinvestors is about more than simply growth; it's about forming relatable connections and sharing a common mission - #hydration meets #musclehealth. I believe the beverage industry is on the verge of becoming much more exciting, surpassing the trends of coconut water, coffee variations, and endless energy drinks. https://lnkd.in/exrAaz-b #NirvanaSuper #stayhydrated #stephcurry #linkedinSports #innovation #healthcare #startups #foodandbeverage

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Let your running be about more than running and your running can help you get better at more than running. And that will mean more than running can help you get better at running! It makes sense. Just watch the video. Cheers!

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One of the most rewarding things I get to do professionally is this presentation - a session aimed at helping brands and their sales teams understand how most independent retailers formulate their buying plans, and how that understanding can lead to more long-term sales. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to present this to dozens of brands. I’ve been in front of the sales team for the biggest brand in the outdoor industry, and startups that have one employee. The consistently surprising thing that I observe is this - most people responsible for selling to wholesale have at best a fuzzy understanding of the math that buyers use to spend their open-to-buy, and it’s a huge unlock for their success when they learn it. Knowing how and why a wholesale account spends money with you - beyond “because we make cool stuff” - gives you the opportunity to be an exceptional brand partner. Plus, it can make everyone more money. If you’re interested in learning more about how to bring this session to your team, please reach out. One other thing. This was my first time back to Outdoor Retailer in years. It’s a completely different show than what it once was . The thing that inspired me to accept this gig was that it’s mostly now made up of small brands. Some of those brands are very small businesses- just like Sunlight Sports. I hope that something that we talked about in my session helps one of those people who have risked so much on their new startup brand be successful. If so, what a great feeling. More thoughts on OR overall to come. Katie Soule thanks for the post! #outdoorretailer #outdoorindustry #independentlyowned

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My CNBC video interview on Abercrombie & Fitch's blowout sales and profits illustrates the competitive advantage of having a retail merchant as the CEO! Fran Horowitz is a savvy CEO offering Great Fashion for Real Consumers and everybody wins!! #abercrombieandfitch #fashion #cnbc #retail

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1. Brands create a framework that maximizes value for products/services 2. Celebrities start thinking like brands 3. Brands buy stadium rights 4. Celebrities buy stadium rights 5. Celebrities create a framework that maximizes value for stadium rights 6. Brands *should* start thinking like celebrities Fans are going to be way more excited and engaged when they go to Pitbull Stadium vs "insert bank here" stadium... which is going to translate into more value. Any brand that can afford a major naming rights deal does not need "awareness" help, they need relevance help... which is created not by the number of exposures but by..... excitement and engagement. The Jean > Levi's Stadium Globestar Stadium > AT&T Stadium The People's Park > Citizen's Bank Park The Razor > Gillette Stadium The Bullseye > Target Center Taylor Swift Arena > Anything ever Who had "Pitbull rewriting rules of sports sponsorships" on their bingo card? https://lnkd.in/ey8Kfxh4

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