Devanshi Mehta

Our Voice of the Consumer—Canadian insights is here! Explore how consumers' mindsets are evolving in 2024 and the imperatives for retailers to build consumer trust. #ConsumerInsights #ConsumerTrends

23

1 Comment

The The FMCG Guys and I sure covered a lot in a quick 15 minutes! 🩵 A bit of background on Albertsons Media Collective and how far we’ve come … 🩵 A little slice into our #culture 🩵 A discussion on what Retail Media needs to consider as Google depreciates the 3rd party cookie. 🩵 How Brands and Retail media networks should think about expanding into #awareness channels. 🩵 How AI can be used as a tool for #retailmedia and the importance of data cleanliness and data fidelity. 🩵 Looking to Europe as to how to do in-store well.

84

3 Comments

The Rise of Delivery Partnerships: Transforming Grocery and Convenience Retail 📦🛒 Retailers are increasingly embracing delivery partnerships to meet consumer demand for speed and convenience. Walmart Canada’s recent collaboration with #DoorDash, expanding delivery to over 300 Supercenter locations, highlights a broader shift in grocery and convenience retail. This trend prioritizes last-mile delivery as a cornerstone of customer satisfaction. Why Is This Happening? Delivery partnerships address key consumer expectations: Convenience matters more than ever: Shoppers are pressed for time and expect fast, reliable delivery. E-commerce habits are here to stay: The pandemic accelerated online grocery adoption, and consumers now expect seamless integration between online and in-store experiences. Cost efficiency for retailers: Partnering with platforms like DoorDash, #Instacart, and #Shipt allows retailers to scale delivery without heavy infrastructure investments. Who Else Is Doing This? #Walmart isn’t alone in expanding delivery partnerships: #ALDI collaborates with Instacart to bring affordable delivery to value-conscious shoppers. #Target leverages Shipt for same-day delivery, blending convenience with a wide product range. #Kroger partners with DoorDash and Instacart to deliver fresh produce and alcohol. #Amazon / #WholeFoods sets the standard for rapid delivery via Prime, cementing customer loyalty. Impact on Grocery and Convenience Retail This trend is reshaping the industry in three key ways: 1️⃣ Expanded Accessibility: Delivery partnerships help retailers reach new customers, including underserved areas, without more stores. 2️⃣ Rising Expectations: Consumers increasingly value speed and convenience, forcing retailers to rethink operations. 3️⃣ Blurred Segments: Grocery, convenience, and quick-commerce lines are narrowing as all adopt rapid delivery. What Does This Mean for the Future? Delivery partnerships represent a long-term shift in how groceries and essentials are sold. Looking ahead: More partnerships: Retailers will seek multiple collaborations to offer varied options. Greater differentiation: Unique offerings, like curated assortments, will help retailers stand out. Technology integration: Data sharing with platforms will enable personalized marketing and optimized logistics. The Takeaway Delivery is becoming a fundamental expectation in grocery and convenience retail. Partnerships with providers like DoorDash allow retailers to meet evolving demands, innovate, and solidify their relevance in an increasingly competitive landscape. 💬 How is your organization adapting to growing demand for convenience and delivery? Let’s discuss. #GroceryDelivery #RetailInnovation #ConvenienceRetail #LastMileDelivery #RetailTrends #CustomerExperience #ECommerce Link: https://lnkd.in/djaajCtx

5

The shopping experience in Canada sucks. As a self-proclaimed "super consumer" with a keen eye for luxury, I've been continuously disappointed by the Canadian retail landscape. While recent reports suggest growth in retail apparel sales, particularly in the luxury segment, the shopping experience itself often falls short. The number of retail store closures recently – most notably Nordstrom, has served a major blow to the already struggling retail environment. Oddly, Trendex North America claimed that retail apparel sales were growing at a faster rate than overall retail sales. The women’s apparel category grew faster than men’s and standout growth was seen in luxury apparel sales, up +10% in 2023. Two key reasons for this growth appears to be driven by a rebound in tourism and an increase in luxury stores opening across key fashion destinations such as Yorkdale and the Bloor/Yorkville stretch. The strength of the USD makes shopping Canada-side more attractive, but what about us native Torontonians looking for an exclusive shopping experience? It simply doesn’t exist. Now transparently, I am not like most consumers. I thrive on the thrill of the hunt. Finding hidden gems and luxury items at off-price retailers has become my personal shopping superpower. In fact, my passion for this niche even led me to build a thriving Instagram community in 2019, where I share my adventures with like-minded individuals (will share my secret handle if asked) 😉 The reality is that the retail environment in Canada has become extremely consolidated. Holt Renfrew, Saks 5th Avenue and to an extent, Simons are the only true destinations for luxury goods in Canada. This is not good for the consumer as it limits competition thereby reducing pricing pressure which means less enticing promotions for the end consumer. Retailers are also making safer bets when buying resulting in an experience devoid of imagination and passion that we crave. The upcoming opening of Simons at Yorkdale mall is reassuring. Their strong online curation of diverse designers and styles has me eager to see how it will translate to a physical retail experience. Perhaps this will be a catalyst for a more dynamic and exciting luxury retail environment in Canada. ******** What are your thoughts on the current state of luxury retail in Canada? Are you a fellow "treasure hunter," or do you prefer a curated shopping experience? #retail #shopping #luxury

14

6 Comments

Retailers Need A New Perspective: What If a Retail Brand Were a Piece of Clothing? How Does It Remain Appealing? Imagine if a retail brand were a piece of clothing. Over time, it would inevitably wear out in appearance and lose its fashionable appeal. To remain in business, you would have to innovate that piece of clothing in ways unimaginable. Of course, it might seem absurd to think that one brand could survive on a single piece of clothing. But what if it could learn to grow its business on that one item, becoming the best at it and increasing its sales? Expanding to other lines of clothing would then become a substantial path to survival. I strongly believe that the majority of retail brands today become out of touch within a generation. A consumer generation typically spans 15 to 20 years because by the time consumers are 35 to 40 years old, they start focusing on other challenges, such as paying off debt, family, and retirement. Therefore, unless a brand has the ability to renew and reposition itself to target the next generation, it usually becomes outdated within 20 years if it is lucky enough to last that long. To succeed in this competitive landscape, there are basic rules you learn in your first year of a marketing co-op. For example, retailing in Quebec is not the same as in Ontario, nor are British Columbia or Alberta relatable to the Maritimes or the first two. However, variances in merchandising and pricing will make little difference if a brand serves an overcrowded segment or has been impacted by disruptions it could not adapt to. These factors will have only a marginal impact on growth. But there is another critical aspect to consider. I don't believe that many brands today are creating trends in the fashion world. Full Stop! So, let’s return to the analogy that a brand is a piece of clothing. If your friends like it and it makes you feel the way you hoped, it would be aspirational, confident, and purposeful. You would wear it like a badge of honour. How many brands out there can you say are a badge of honour that you would be proud to wear? That is the question every retailer needs to ask themselves. Thanks to Susan Krashinsky Robertson for reaching out. Always great reporting. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation #TedBaker #BroooksBrothers

8

Wish I could say I was surprised as it was a bad idea to begin with and never made sense. Consumers want unified commerce and don’t differentiate between online and off line from a retailers Personally the next idea that needs to go is saying goodbye to Zellers inside Hudson's Bay. You are either a mass retailers or a dept store. It doesn’t make sense to be both. Thoughts? #retail #retailing #ecommerce

6

3 Comments

🎉 Big news! We're launching our first no name® store pilot - and in just two weeks! With affordability top of mind for all Canadians, we’re rolling out 3 new “ultra hard discount” stores to help Canadians save. 🛒💰 Prices at the store will be up to 20% cheaper than comparable products at nearby discount stores, including our own No Frills stores. Two-thirds of the products will be below $5, and just under 60 per cent will be no name or President’s Choice brands. It’s a simple concept; by cutting store costs, we can pass those savings onto shelf pricing and offer everyday essentials at rock-bottom prices. Think shorter hours, minimal marketing, no flyers, reused fixtures, and fewer deliveries. Our first store opens in Windsor on September 5th, with two more coming soon to St. Catharines and Brockville. We’re excited to see how this experiment unfolds—let’s see if we can change the game (again)! 🙌 #NoNameStore #Savings #AffordableEssentials Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ghi-wtyV

1,893

82 Comments

The latest Bytes of Brilliance Episode 15 with Jonathan Ram Ex Clarks CEO and New CEO at Careismatic Brands just dropped. at https://www.cdotimes.com. This episode encapsulates the spirit of The CDO TIMES - sharing best practice, lessons learned, leadership lessons and how to leverage technology to move your organization forward. A masterclass by Jonathan Ram! #leadershiplessons #brandmanagement #ceo #marketingstrategy #dtc #innovation #cdotimes

1

Great article by Siro! If you are in retail and have interest in private brands, this is a fabulous summary of recommendations for how to innovate and drive engagement with shoppers. #dunnhumby

12

1 Comment

A very timely summary of current underlying trends in the luxury business. This article is even more relevant in the Canadian market, which is characterized by a (relatively) large middle class and high level of home ownership, leaving these middle class shoppers with less disposable income in the wake of increased interest rates and inflationary pressures.

26

Climate crises are not the only thing hampering brand operations – technology outages like what happened with CrowdStrike on the 19th can affect them too. I spoke with Matthieu Houle, CIO at the ALDO Group about how the brand bounced back when it was affected by the outages, what technology teams should be prepared for, and how AI is both helping and hindering with cybersecurity. https://lnkd.in/gjWT93Ue Glossy

3

1 Comment

I am attending #RCCSTORE24 with Cognizant on May 28-29 in Toronto, CA. I am thrilled to join over 2,000 retailers to discuss our industry’s most critical issues and how we can evolve our strategies to meet increasing consumer expectations. Want to learn how Cognizant is helping guide retail clients through industry evolution and technology modernization? Drop a comment below to set up time to connect at the conference. In the meantime, you can learn more about our Retail Technology Solutions here: https://cogniz.at/452Xpvh #Cognizant #RCCSTORE24 #Retail #IndustryInsights #Toronto #Canada

8

2 Comments

Amidst the increasing interest rates—which appear to be slowing down—and the challenges they pose for the real estate market in Canada, bold moves like this from digital first furniture retailers are further blurring the lines between eCommerce and retail. This shift towards a truly omnichannel retail experience is exciting news. Kudos to the team at Article! #ecommerce #retail #omnichannel

6

1 Comment

Nine years ago, I shared some thoughts that resonate with me today. As I look back at this memory, I’m reminded of the journey I've been on and the lessons I learned along the way. In 2015, the retail landscape was evolving rapidly. I believe in the power of the 3Cs: #Collecting customer information, #Convenience for customers, and #Connecting with them. These concepts were born out of countless experiences and challenges faced in the retail world. They were my guiding principles for navigating change and driving success. Collecting customer information allowed us to tailor our marketing efforts, making them more effective. Convenience was all about reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction, something I learned was essential through hands-on experience. Connecting with customers built loyalty, a lesson reinforced through every interaction and feedback received. These 3Cs naturally led to what I termed the 4Ps: Improved Customer #Perceptions, Enhanced #Productivity, a #Panoramic View of Customers, and New #Places for sales. This holistic approach laid the groundwork for what we now call Omni-Channel Retail. Seeing this memory today reminds me of the importance of always thinking ahead, adapting to change, and striving for innovation. It's not just about the destination but the journey and the insights gained along the way. #Retail #CustomerExperience #OmniChannel #Leadership #Innovation #RetailInnovation #Visionary

40

6 Comments

Just in time for your morning commute. Get ready to cut through the Bullshit on the next episode of The Brian Librach Show! We're diving straight into the reasons why you're not getting what you want from people – no sugar-coating, just straight-up truth bombs. Plus, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're spotlighting Dr. Doug Brackmann book, "Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes, and Maybe You!" Get ready to uncover what it takes to unleash your full potential. And hey, to all the folks at Rue 21 and Express facing bankruptcy, here's your reality check: Stay confident and keep pushing forward. I've got some tips to help you navigate your next steps. But that's not all – we're also tackling the empathy deficit. What's holding you back from truly understanding others' perspectives? Tune in for some hard-hitting insights and practical strategies to become a more empathetic badass. YOOBIC RETHINK Retail Don't miss out – join us, let's #getupandgop and kick some excuses to the curb! Click to Listen: https://lnkd.in/e8iV9gd4 and here to grab a copy of The Retail Leaders Roadmap https://a.co/d/2qjoAZe

8

Ready for the holiday rush? StrataVision, in partnership with pass_by, is taking traditional holiday shopping forecasts to the next level. While our industry usually delivers a national top shopping dates list, we’re diving deeper with category-specific insights that cater to the unique needs of each retail segment. Beyond helping retailers prep for staffing and events, these insights can guide merchandising and last-minute marketing strategies. From Black Friday to the days leading up to Christmas, we’re here to help retailers fine-tune their approach for the busiest shopping season. Curious to learn more about how data-driven decisions can make an impact? Check out my latest blog or reach out to explore tailored strategies for your business. https://lnkd.in/ew9JRXgf #HolidayRetail #DataDriven #RetailAnalytics #StrataVision #AI #ShopperInsights

20

Every moment is an opportunity for growth and transformation. As we reflect on the evolution of merchandising, it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come from bustling bazaars of ancient civilizations to today’s dynamic eCommerce landscape. In ancient markets, merchants showcased their goods with creativity and skill, building relationships through engaging displays and personal interactions. Fast forward to the digital revolution, and we’re leveraging technology to craft tailored shopping experiences for consumers across the globe. The agility and innovation that businesses display today echo the adaptability of those early traders. As we embrace the future of merchandising, let’s remember the importance of connecting with our customers authentically while utilizing cutting-edge strategies like personalized recommendations and data analytics. What’s your story about how merchandising has impacted your journey? Share your experiences in the comments below! 😊🌟 https://lnkd.in/ezyRW-Y2

1

In June, Shopify powered A$AP Rocky’s first-ever fashion show in Paris. Twenty years ago, this wasn’t possible. Artists needed to rely on global brands and retailers who were gatekeepers to distribution and customers. Today, Rocky can own his creative work, take control of his brand and tell his story on his terms, thanks to tools like Shopify. This event marked a major cultural moment merging the launch of his fashion line American Sabotage and A$AP Rocky’s music. We live streamed the entire show to fans worldwide and enabled pre-orders for his new album and clothing line to go live while the show was happening - and it was all powered by Shopify technology. The rise of DTC and the lower barriers to starting a business is not only helping more people become entrepreneurs, it’s helping creatives and the best artists in the world like A$AP Rocky control and own their creative output. To power the livestream and pre-order, we used Single, the only Shopify App that reports sales directly to Billboard. Gone are the days of relying on behemoth brands who gatekeep and leverage artists for their own creative success. Here are the days of creatives becoming successful entrepreneurs on their own terms. The technology to connect directly with customers is available and accessible to anyone that has the will to create. Entrepreneurship is for everyone.

488

39 Comments

Aritzia is consistent. From in store experiences to product. One thing The Business of Fashion did not highlight was the store associates. They are by far some of the best. Product and customer obsessed. A winning combination as Artizia continues to grow and capture the market across generations. #retail #fashion #stores #TRE #merchandising

64

5 Comments