Odette Welling

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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An article in The Business of Fashion on "Fashion's Golden Opportunity With Older Shoppers"... Is total and complete BS. There is an opportunity across ALL shoppers. Dividing them up by descriptors that have been used for decades is just not going to cut it anymore. While teaching fashion marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology last Fall, there were modules on generations and how they spend, how they consume information, etc. I had to add caveats to each statement in the textbook because you can't make these types of assumptions anymore. This is an old school way of marketing. We can't put customers into these buckets anymore as there are so many other data points to consider. The affluent customer shops at Walmart, Target and Costco Wholesale. The tech boom will go through another cycle and you will have more younger customers with disposable income. Resale luxury is bought by Gen Z to the boomer. Generalizing is a wasted effort and it's what gets retailers in trouble with excess inventory to irrelevant product assortments. The customer has evolved across generations and we need to stop generalizing to avoid marketers look at the data in just 1 way. #retail #retailnews #fashion #fashionmarketing #bof

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Today's The Robin Report "undresses" the denim trends & consumers behaviors toward them... (so no more pinch rolled levi's? 😉 ) Takeaway: Retailers that have direct, conversational interactions with consumers and manufacturers will be better positioned to produce what consumers want. Read and Subscribe to get real opinions, insights & more delivered every day. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eAkYa73Z

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👟🌟 Exciting insights! Dive into the latest findings from the 2024 Spring U.S. Footwear Consumer Survey by AlixPartners & Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), showing a strong shift towards athletic shoes this season. As consumers prioritize branded stores and seek out promotional deals, the landscape of footwear spending is evolving dramatically. Discover how these trends are reshaping the industry and what it means for your brand. Full details in this insightful article by my colleagues Ryan Poole and Bryan Eshelman! #FootwearTrends #ConsumerBehavior #RetailInsights #AlixPartners #WhenItReallyMatters https://lnkd.in/evaHipdA

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Saturday, May 11: 📉 Consumer sentiment plunged to the lowest level in six months as price increases reaccelerated, according to the latest University of Michigan survey of consumers, released Friday. 🏬 JCPenney remains profitable and could open new stores. Holiday and full-year sales fell, and net income plunged. But the CEO of one of the retailer’s owners says its ongoing profitability could merit an expansion. 🛍️ The retail industry is going through a tough time as it copes with inflation-weary consumers and a rash of bankruptcies, prompting chains to announce the closures of almost 3,200 brick-and-mortar stores so far in 2024. 💊 The Vitamin Shoppe  has announced that subscribers to its telehealth service will have access to weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Rybelsus. 🏪 99 Cents Only Stores in Texas may soon morph into Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Inc. or Dollar Tree Stores as competitors of the California-based retailer find discounted real estate in the bankruptcy liquidation. 👕 On average, Britons bought three items of clothing from secondhand retailers in 2023, with young adults buying 5.3 items on average, compared to 1.7 items for those aged 55 and over. 🥫 Weis Markets plans to begin construction on six new stores this year that will open in 2025, according to a company earnings release. This marks a significant uptick in openings for the company compared to the past few years. 👜 Hermès has asked a US judge to dismiss a "far-fetched" class-action lawsuit accusing it of forcing shoppers to spend thousands of dollars on goods before having a chance to buy one of its Birkin handbags. 🇨🇦 Canadian Tire Corporation Tire has reported a drop in first-quarter retail sales in its first quarter, citing a “challenging consumer demand environment” as Canadians continue to cut back on non-essential spending. 🥣 The outlook for yoghurt looks particularly sour as Americans’ love affair with the creamy, fermented dairy product is over. That's one reason General Mills is looking to sell its yoghurt business. 🍄 Meati Foods is set to add 2,000 retail locations within Kroger's family of stores by April, expanding its presence in the market. The company offers alternative protein products made from mycelium, or mushroom root. 🍍 A new variety of a rare, high-end pineapple is now available to purchase in the US. Del Monte is introducing Rubyglow pineapples, a new variety of the tropical fruit, to the US market. 🎌 Japan's consumer spending shrank for the 13th consecutive month in March, according to government data. This poses challenges for policymakers who are aiming for self-sustaining economic growth. 📦 The Commerce Department reported that US wholesale inventories fell 0.4% in March, having risen 0.2% in February. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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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

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The state of the consumer in 2024 is already taking shape — even before the country’s major retailers begin to report first-quarter earnings, starting with Home Depot and Walmart next week. There are signs that the U.S. consumer is still spending, especially on experiences. But stubbornly high prices are squeezing consumers with lower incomes, pressuring everyday purchases and corporate profits. #retailsales #consumerinsights

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"Generalizing is a wasted effort and it's what gets retailers in trouble with excess inventory to irrelevant product assortments." Adore this commentary from the inimitable Liza Amlani. Highly recommend it as a read. Generalization is a symptom from our over-stretch to efficiency. We are biologically attracted to efficiency as it reduces effort which burns (what were once precious) calories. We therefore seek out every way we can improve efficiency in how we make stuff, how we think, and how we do things. It has a true cost though, which is articulated beautifully by Liza. Customers aren't formed in factories, and their behaviors and preferences change all the time. Even what they say are their preferences don't always align to their actions. It's an old school way of thinking and in a world of this much data down to individual level, we can do better.

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#HotTake: Retail stores aren’t a shortcut to success. Retail offers bigger POs, visibility, and cash flow Yet, it doesn’t ensure brand sustainability Case in point: JLo Beauty Despite celeb status and prime placement at Sephora, She faced challenges resulting in a US exit Retail alone doesn’t secure loyalty or repeat sales Placement isn’t guaranteed forever For lasting success, think beyond the retail PO Some markers of a sustainable brand include: Authenticity, community, differentiated formulas, and true fans Building a lasting brand legacy requires more than a retail presence – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale at big retail. If you are ready to scale and invest, book a discovery call, and let’s see if we can work together.

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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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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Thursday, June 6: 🧘🏽‍♀️ lululemon beat Wall Street’s earnings and revenue estimates, but issued weak second-quarter guidance as it contends with a slowdown in the Americas, its largest market. 👕 Hanesbrands Inc. will sell Champion to Authentic Brands Group in a deal worth up to $1.5 billion with performance incentives. Authentic owns brands such as Reebok, Forever 21 and Quiksilver. 5️⃣ Five Below cut its outlook for the year, warning that its core low-income shoppers were facing an outsized impact from years of inflationary pressures. It posted an unexpected decline in same-store sales for the first quarter. 👙 Victoria’s Secret & Co. said it was encouraged by demand for its bras, sleepwear and other clothing in May, but the company said it was exercising restraint amid continued caution more broadly among the US consumer. 🏪 Foxtrot intends to reopen several locations in Chicago in the Gold Coast and Old Town neighborhoods. The news comes after Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen & Market closed on April 23. 🌳 Dollar Tree Stores Tree said that it had started a formal review of strategic alternatives for Family Dollar, which it said could include among others, a potential sale, spin off or other disposition of the business. 💵 Walmart is now offering bonuses to its hourly employees in the US., the company announced Wednesday. The longer an associate has been with the company, the higher the associate's bonus potential, to a maximum of $1,000. 📚 In a blow to publishers and authors, Costco Wholesale plans to stop selling books regularly at stores around the United States, four publishing executives who had been informed of the warehouse retailer’s plans said Wednesday. 🚚 Albertsons and Uber have launched a new food rescue initiative that aims to address food insecurity and food waste in several major US cities. The program donates surplus food from the grocer’s stores to local nonprofits. 📸The TJX Companies, Inc., parent of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, said it’s equipping some store employees with body cameras to thwart shoplifting and keep customers and employees safe. 🍔 McDonald's lost a European Union trademark dispute over the Big Mac name after a top European Union court sided Wednesday with Irish fast-food rival Supermac's in a long-running legal battle. ✂️ The Bank of Canada's decision on Wednesday to cut interest rates from 5% to 4.75% is expected to provide financial relief to Canadians and encourage consumer spending. 🧳 Shinola and Filson parent Bedrock Manufacturing Company has appointed Steve Katzman to the role of CEO and Kevin Wertz as chief marketing officer. 🇦🇺 ALDI Stores Australia is moving into the insurance sector, with the launch of a series of homes and contents, car, and landlord products. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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A brilliant article on how TJX is able to beat a dull retail market and is ready for a expansion spree. TJX has seen a significant increase in total revenues in 2023, reaching $54.2 billion, with plans to add 1300 new stores. The company's success is attributed to its profitable and scalable business model, focusing on customer transactions and value proposition. TJX's ability to gain market share across various geographies is a key factor in its growth. The off-price retail model of TJX sets it apart from competitors, with a focus on selling low and buying lower. This strategy has led to the closure of many legacy retail brands while TJX continues to expand. The company's unique approach to offering quality branded merchandise at lower prices has attracted a loyal customer base, particularly among next-gen consumers. TJX's eCommerce strategy has shown growth, with double-digit sales increases, although online sales still account for a small percentage of total revenues. The company differentiates its online product mix from in-store offerings to avoid cannibalization and maintain store traffic. TJX's focus on attracting next-gen customers through social media marketing and contemporary brands has been successful in driving sales and maintaining consumer interest. Overall, TJX's success lies in its ability to provide a treasure hunt shopping experience, offer affordable luxury brands, fast fashion, and localization. The company's unique business model, combined with a strong focus on customer engagement and market expansion, positions it as a leader in the retail industry. #tjx #retail #storeexpansion #growth #customerexperience

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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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Delighted to see my co written article with Deena Pitzele of The Partnering Group covered by Store Brands. As we look at Walmart launch of #bettergoods and unpick some of our view on the strategy behind the aspiration of achieving a $3b brand and ~300 lines. Is it to target new customers from competitive retailers such as Trader Joe's and Kroger or having seen how the #ukretailers and #australianretailers built their different strategies to combat the aggressive growth of Aldi UK and ALDI Stores Australia in the market, the start of their strategy focusing on the growth go ALDI USA #privatebrands #privatelabel #retail #usaretail #groceryretail #ownbrand #customerfocused #foodanddrink #growthstrategy #discounter #ukretail #australianretail #brandstrategy #productinnovation #consulting Greg Sleter Prof. Consulting Group Deena Pitzele (PLMA) Private Label Manufacturers Association Australia / New Zealand Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) https://lnkd.in/e7gqA_HQ

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Will Kohl's benefit from its latest third-party venture with Babies"R"Us? On the plus side, adding Babies R Us is more of a help than a hinderance to Kohl's. It bolsters the proposition in an important area of the market and gives Kohl’s more credibility in the space. This should help drive some incremental revenue into the business. There is also a view that if Kohl’s can pull in younger family and family formation shoppers for baby products it can, hopefully, convert them into buying other categories like toys or homewares.    However, for this to work properly, Kohl’s really needs to improve the look and feel of its stores and make its own assortments and pricing more compelling. If it fails to tackle these things, this will be a reasonable venture but one that cannot throw a halo over the rest of the business – much as has been the case with Sephora.   The bottom line is that Kohl’s can add in as many third-party brands and ventures as it wants, but there is a tactic admission here that its own core proposition isn’t good enough. It still needs to work to dispel this view. Great to chat with Inside Retail US about this, link to article in comments. #retail #retailnews #departmentstores #babies #parents

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It’s line review season in retail. I’ve been on both sides of the meeting. It's tough to know what to share. Here are six tips I’d share with brands already on the shelf who want to nail their presentations. Tip 1: Be Engaging Buyers are in back-to-back meetings. Be sure to add some sizzle, and personalize the conversation if you know them. Tip 2: Remind them of Who You Are Most buyers manage 50+ brands. They may not recall what the current assortment is. Recall your brand’s “why.” Walk them through the current state and the desired future state. Tip 3: Share *Relevant* Market Performance Buyers don’t necessarily want to hear about the competition. Talk about growth at other retailers if it ties into your desired future state for that retailer. Tip 4: Cover the Business Go through your current business performance. If it’s going well - know your ask for more. If it’s not going well, have suggestions prepared to offer solutions. Tip 5: Provide Positive Updates Share what you’re excited about: a new influencer partnership, a new product launch, new operations, new people on the team. Tip 6: Ask Questions What best practices are you seeing from your top-performing brands? Are you noticing any changes in the consumer that we should be aware of? Maximize this opportunity to talk with the buyers. Share news about your business Gather the intel you can use to help your business grow.

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What's the headline from recent retail earnings transcripts from Walmart, DICK'S Sporting Goods, The TJX Companies, Inc., and more? Value wins. The macroeconomic environment played a role in crowning the season’s winners. Value is top of mind for consumers as they look to stretch their budgets. Read on below for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gCvZghbY

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