Kathleen Mitchell

As a retail expert I discussed whether John Lewis & Partners can reverse its fortunes with Drapers news editor Elizabeth Howlett: There's a long road ahead, however, with current turnaround efforts expected to take until 2027/28 to bear fruit. John Lewis's interim results, released on 14 September 2023, painted a bleak financial picture for the retailer as operating profit declined by 6% year on year to £277.1m for the 26 weeks ended 29 July. Its losses narrowed by 14% year on year to £57.3m in the period. “The question is whether John Lewis is going the same direction as Allders, Arcadia Group, Debenhams and House of Fraser,” said Andrew Pepper, partner at business advisory RESOLVE.  (I was Administrator of Allders and advised the lenders on House of Fraser. I see lots of similarities.) “They will look at their property portfolio and look at their most successful premises and their least and explore if there is a way to right size its portfolio to be smaller on footprint, but more profitable.”   Pepper also pointed out that strong staff loyalty has some disadvantages. The partnership currently has a score of 3.8 out of 5 on open company review platform Glassdoor, with 70% of the 4,451 anonymous reviews from current and former employees recommending the company to others, with many citing good wages and employee benefits. While this has been a huge benefit to John Lewis over the years, as it has likely meant lower staff turnover and a good employer brand reputation, it could also mean larger redundancy packages. “John Lewis [and Waitrose] is a lovely place to work, so they likely had good redundancy terms and had people who had worked there for 20 years. Unlike other retailers, the movement of staff through [John Lewis] likely isn't that much,” explained Pepper. “By implication that means you have lots of people working there for 10-20 years, and the [redundancy] cost will be disproportionately higher.” Read more via Drapers, below. https://lnkd.in/eD5JPxHx #ForwardWithReSolve #privateequity #debtfinancing #thebodyshop #restructuring #administration Turnaround Management Association (TMA UK) Institute of Directors (IoD) R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals Richard Obank Retail Trust #turnaround UK Government Investments (UKGI) Foot Anstey LLP M&G plc Barings BlackRock Russell Jarvis Evelyn Partners Philip Kirkpatrick Kirkland & Ellis Close Brothers Arbuthnot Latham Bank Leumi בנק לאומי UK PNC Metro Bank (UK) Santander HSBC RESOLVE Maddox Legal Limited CMS UK Shawbrook Bank ABN AMRO Commercial Finance Praetura Commercial Finance Arnold Vos Retail Realisation Rothschild & Co #venturecapital Bantry Bay Andrew Buchanan Buchanan #retail British Land Mike Thompson MBE @CVC Capital Partners #ForwardWithReSolve #retailnews #turnaround

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Can charity shops be good for indie retail?   British designer, founder of fashion brand ‘Red or Dead’, Wayne Hemingway MBE was perhaps an odd choice of speaker at the British Independent Retailers Association Conference. conference last week, introducing as he was his latest venture, Charity Super.Mkt. Charity shops have long been criticised by many indie retailers as the death of the High Street. However, a series of examples and statistics presented by Wayne may have persuaded a cynical audience that Charity Super.Mkt offers a shopping experience that is an "awakening experience" for Gen Z and Gen A consumers. Indeed, such is the success of this new initiative, it has attracted the interest of big brand retailers including Apple. Charity Super.Mkt was founded in response to a rise in second-hand greenwash and to disprove the outdated notion that charity shops ruin high streets. Listening to charities and their desire to broaden their demographic and horizons Hemingway and his partner, Maria Chenoweth, created an umbrella brand to get charity retailers into mainstream spaces and places that they wouldn't normally be able to access, creating a brand that would fit nicely into any prominent location. After two years of market style pop-ups, Charity Super.Mkt moved things up a gear in January 2023 with its first bricks-and-mortar residency at Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the response was overwhelming. Costs for the fit-out of the vacant unit were approximately £40,000 – an amount Wayne and Maria hoped to be able to get back over the planned 4-week residency. Sales on the first night were in excess of £20,000! The store was so popular, the stay was extended by a further two weeks. 80% of the revenues went to the charities. Charity Super.Mkt’s launch article was the 3rd most read article on the BBC and the news spread like wildfire, further Charity Super.Mkt pop-ups have appeared in shopping centres across the UK and the total revenue shared by 50 charities now exceeds £2.75M. At the BIRA conference, Wayne revealed that Apple approached him to locate Charity SuperMkts close to their stores, as it was clear that the initiative was attracting the younger generation and the halo effect was boosting their own footfall and sales. Gen Z and Gen A are seeking variety, vintage, low cost, environmental and sustainable high streets, as well as things to do as well as buy. When questioned, however, Wayne admitted that the mega charity stores were a city / large-scale shopping centre phenomenon and wouldn’t work in smaller towns, but it does raise the question whether independent retailers’ wide spread prejudice against charity shops is a sensible view, especially if they appear to bring the younger generation on to the High Street. To inquire about locating a Charity Super.Mkt in your area visit

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Many British retailers and brands are focusing or refocusing their efforts on the US market - fascinating reading....From ceramics to timepiece accessories to socks, niche British businesses are tapping into the high-end market across the Pond. Manhattan is a long way from the pottery kilns of Stoke-on-Trent, but the high-end China cups and saucers made by Richard Brendon look at home in New York’s famous Saks Fifth Avenue department store. The United States is now the eponymous tableware brand’s fastest-growing and largest retail market, with the entrepreneur, who received the 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise, broadly unfazed by the rumblings of a recession amid America’s slowing economy, with soaring unemployment and interest rates. “In the UK we’re at the top end of the luxury market,” Brendon said of a range that also includes crystal glassware that is stocked in Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Liberty. London. “In the US there’s more independent tableware retailers with a much higher average customer spend, so we have more options. It may not be the time for investment, but it still feels like the US is open for business, with the customer willing to pay.” #sellingintotheUS #britishcraftsmanship #britishbrands #usmarket

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John Lewis & Partners have published their 11th annual ‘How we Shop, Live and Look’ report, which looks back at the products and trends that defined the past year. Crammed full of insights and trends including the growing importance of ‘Social Shopping’ - how we enjoy shopping together and the impact on product sales of this years poor weather. Read and download the full report here - https://lnkd.in/ew-hF4G2 #retail #consumers #trends #insights

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🚀 Retail Winners & Losers: The Changing Landscape Of The UK High Street Retail has been undergoing major shifts, and it's clear there are winners and losers emerging. I shared my insights with Anne Ashworth for the DailyMail.com 🔹 M&S is leading a successful turnaround, balancing design and digital innovation, while attracting both core and younger audiences. 🔹 Primark finally stepped into click & collect – but is it too late to compete with digital-first players like Shein? 🔹 John Lewis has struggled with cost-cutting measures impacting customer experience, raising questions about its ability to recover. 🔹 Next continues to thrive with a seamless online and in-store presence, supported by strong logistics and third-party brand partnerships. 🔹 Shein is continuing to disrupt fast fashion, overshadowing brands like H&M with its affordability and rapid product turnover, but raising sustainability concerns. Who are the big winners? Who’s lagging behind? 👇Sign up for my email list in the comments where I will be sharing more detailed insights. https://lnkd.in/eB4dcpv7

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UK Lessons – What Primark Did to Competitors Like Peacocks and Bonmarche When Primark expanded aggressively into the UK, it wasn’t just another retailer—it was a disruptor. Established budget-friendly brands like Peacocks and Bonmarché initially tried to respond by slashing prices, but Primark’s efficiency, lower costs, and fast-fashion model made it hard to compete. Within just a few years, both Peacocks and Bonmarché had filed for administration, unable to withstand the pressure. What does this mean for brands in the GCC? Could similar value-fashion brands face the same challenge? Or will we see local players innovating to stay ahead? Up next, we’ll dive into the impact Primark had in Spain, where even established local players struggled to survive. 🌍 #PrimarkVsUK #RetailDisruption #FashionWars #PrimarkEffect #ValueFashion

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The news that John Lewis & Partners is re-introducing it’s ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price promise after a two-year hiatus, and at a time when they are investing in a significant brand campaign is an interesting development. Brand marketing historically has always steered clear of price and promotions instead focusing on leveraging the brand name, making the product the hero, and establishing an emotional connection with the customer. However, in today’s digital world where a competitor with an equally as good product could be just one click away with a lower price or deal cannot be ignored. Having had first hand experience in brand development, promotional planning and e-commerce, it’s important to aim for a balanced approach and most importantly remain relevant to the customer. I await to see how John Lewis & Partners are going to, (in Peter Ruis words) ‘kick-start their brand for the next 100 years’ What do you think? https://lnkd.in/ebEfB_Pw #brand #brandexperience #marketing

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Retail is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology. A new dimension is emerging with the power of data science and retail media. Here’s a look at one of the first successful executions, offering valuable insights for our growth and learning. #RetailInnovation #DataScience #RetailMedia

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Who's buying lunch in retail? It used to be the supplier, but with the advent of Retail Media, it might start being the retailers.... as suppliers are now *their* customers... Colin Lewis and I talk about this in the light of Selfridges partnering with Criteo and why a retail media network needs to make a launch about much more than adtech capability. Retail Media Therapy podcast EP4 - listen here: www.retailmediatherapy.com Love the partnership - it makes sense - and with a new retail media launch each week, we discuss why retailers need to do a LOT more to stand out, or they'll need to buy a lot of lunches to hit their targets...

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Asos plunges to £120m loss as sales nosedive amid turnaround plan Asos losses widened to £120m in its half year as sales plummeted amid its turnaround plan. Adjusted pre-tax losses fell by almost a third over the half to 3 March, as group sales were down 18%. Despite this, Asos reiterated its full-year guidance of a revenues fall of between 5 to 15% alongside positive adjusted EBITDA. The online retailer said it was ahead of plan with its stock reduction process, as it continued to push ahead with its turnaround plan. Asos offloaded 83% of its autumn collection, making it a 17% improvement from the same time last year. #asos #online #retailer #ecommerce #stock #sales #plan

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Great news for those high streets. Adapting store formats to suit smaller local markets is definitely the way forward. We all know that the more touch points customers have with a brand, the more they’re likely to spend overall. A curated range in a small store format on a demographically aligned high street is a win win and a great strategy for growth. It’s also a great strategy for the town - you can bet that once a small format The White Company store opens, other brands with a similar aspirational niche will join them. From a personal point of view, I’d love to see Knaresborough Hight Street following a similar trend. #localisation #evolvinghighstreet #curatedproductrange #thewhitecompany #propertymarket

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As well as leading range reviews for my own categories in my 10 years as a Buyer, I've led or been involved in over 50 range reviews from the supply side. Here are my top 5 tips for how to plan for the big day…. 1.  START EARLY - Deep dive the Retailer’s category performance AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OUT to understand what’s working / what’s not & what that means for your brand/s. - Build the outline story now : What insights & marketing assets do you have… & what are the gaps you need to fill? - Quality Range Reviews take a lot of work - so make a realistic resource plan now to deliver it & avoid the usual last minute rush. 2.  JOINT BUSINESS PLANNING - Meet with the Buyer early to understand their plans & strategy in detail… & start to share yours. - Are there any big initiatives or ideas that need an early discussion to test the water?  Or that can be pre-sold early so both sides can move on to focus on quality execution rather than whether its even happening? - What Opportunities & Risks does the Buyer see for your brand/s?  Get them out on the table as early as you can & make a plan to do something about them. 3.  BE STRATEGIC - Look at your range from the Buyer's perspective – if your SKU is not driving TOTAL CATEGORY sales & profitability why should they support? - If you have products in the tail, is it better to sacrifice one or two & have a chance to recycle your distribution to another SKU?  - Don’t fight a losing battle trying to save something that cannot be saved, as you could lose credibility doing so (and lose the SKUs anyway). 4.  WARGAME - What are the potential Buyer concerns or challenges to your proposals? - What might your competitors be doing with the same eg Nielsen or Kantar data that you have? - Look at potential risks & plan a response to each to stay on the front foot. 5.  STAY CLOSE - Critical paths for Retailer range reviews are long, very long.  Once all Suppliers have presented their proposals they may then have 6-8 weeks of detailed range work before making final decisions. - Some may actively avoid Supplier discussions in this time, but do what you can to stay close. - If you can understand some of the trade offs, or get an early warning that something is at risk, you may also have time to do something about it. SUMMARY - Range reviews take a lot of time, a lot of thinking & a lot of co-ordination. - And they should – they are one of your BIGGEST, IF NOT THE BIGGEST CHANCE to drive your brand’s sales all year. - Start Early & Resource up - the ROI can be HUGE if you get it right. At Optima Retail we are Category Management experts who specialise in range review support. So if you need any advice, or just want a quick chat to explore options for how to address a particular challenge please do get in touch. ♻️ And if you enjoyed this post, please consider liking it & sharing it to your network too. Thanks for reading.

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We recently completed an analysis of the delivery and returns propositions of the UK’s top 100 fashion retailers. Check out the report if you’re interested in: - The true impact of charging for returns - Who is charging for returns - What delivery methods should you offer - How should delivery and returns be priced I found researching this report fascinating and I had a couple of opinions change, particularly around charging for returns. #ecommerce #retail #delivery #returns https://lnkd.in/exnKkfc2

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What’s been happening in retail this week? 🍿 Frasers Group is attempting to install Mike Ashley as CEO of Boohoo Group PLC (of which they own 27%), as he accuses the board of having “lost its ability to manage” the online fashion company. 👕 TFG (The Foschini Group), who owns Hobbs London, WHISTLES and Phase Eight, has acquired White Stuff. Jo Jenkins, CEO of White Stuff, will continue to lead the business - exciting times for the brand! 💿 WHSmith is bringing vinyl records back to 80 high street stores across the UK. Vinyl sales rose by 11.7% in 2023, marking 16 years of consecutive growth. 🌸 The Perfume Shop has launched “Eau De-Liveroo Rider,” an on-demand service in London, Manchester, and Bristol through Deliveroo. Customers can order free 5ml samples of popular perfumes via WhatsApp, delivered within 15 minutes. 👖 Marks and Spencer is planning to add self-checkouts to changing rooms in 180 stores, helping to reduce queing times. ⚽ Digital sports platform and retailer Fanatics is set to open its first standalone store on Regent Street, London. 🔋 Tesco has agreed to purchase nearly two-thirds of the output from the £450m Cleve Hill Solar Park, covering up to 10% of its power needs over the next 15 years. CEO Ken Murphy called it a "significant step" towards Tesco’s carbon neutrality goal by 2035. The site is expected to be fully operational by 2025. 💳 SHEIN has launched its first branded credit card in partnership with Mexican fintech Stori, offering points for purchases. 🎁 Poundland & Dealz's new rewards programme, "Poundland Perks," became the top free app on the Apple and Google Play stores just one day after its nationwide launch on 16 October. 👓 Snap Inc. launched ‘Snap Street,’ a two-day event on 19-20 October in Brick Lane, London, featuring augmented reality (AR) retail experiences. Brands like Boots UK, Depop, and Cosmopolitan participated, offering AR-enhanced interactions, beauty products, fashion, and pop-up experiences. 🚚 Amazon extended its same-day delivery to over 80 UK towns and cities, including Middlesbrough, Aberdeen, and Plymouth. With demand doubling since 2023, it’s investing £580m in robotics and AI to improve fulfilment efficiency. 👟 Hotter Shoes is boosting UK manufacturing to produce one million pairs annually, increasing domestic output from 25% to 75%. WoolOvers Ltd, the new owner, has reversed plans to phase out Skelmersdale production to maintain quality and margins. 💥💥 💥 💻 Retail Economics and ZigZag Global this week launched an in-depth piece of research on the impact of returns, shining a spotlight on "serial returners. ➡ Online returns forecast to exceed £27 billion in 2024 in the UK ➡ "Serial returners" account for 11% of online shoppers that make returns, but are generating 24% of all online non-food returns, totalling £6.6bn The full report 20 page report is available to download here. It's packed full of data, visualisations and insights! https://lnkd.in/e5paRNWC

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This week, the retail industry has seen a tale of two retailers, B&M and ASOS. While B&M reported a revenue of £5.5bn, up over 10% on last year, and plans to open more stores, ASOS group sales are -18% on last year over the half year. They are struggling to change their operating model to be more agile and rediscover their identity against a backdrop of changes in customer behaviour. The difference in their performance updates couldn't be starker! Check out the link below for more details on ASOS's interim results. #RetailIndustryUpdates #PerformanceUpdates #BusinessNews ASOS: https://lnkd.in/eRZwCcYa

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Insightful post! Engineering biology is reshaping cosmetics, and at LeafyColl Ltd, we’re driving this change with sustainable, safe, 100% plant-based collagen. Collagen is fast becoming the star of anti-aging skincare, set to surpass hyaluronic acid by 2026. Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand for the future of beauty. #Collagen #Cosmetics #Biotech #Innovation #Sustainability

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French Connection is gearing up for an exciting launch on Very this autumn. This expansion isn't just another retail move—it's a strategic alignment in the UK fashion market. Given Very's growing digital presence and French Connection's established brand identity, I'm intrigued by how this partnership will unfold. It's a unique blend of e-commerce dynamism with a classic high-street staple. Shoppers will have more access to curated collections, possibly exclusive lines that could only be found on Very. This innovative approach caters to the evolving needs of today's consumers, who seek both convenience and exclusivity. Additionally, this move highlights a trend where traditional brands increasingly lean towards strong, pure-play digital retailers. This strategy not only broadens their reach but also taps into a different segment of the market that prefers online shopping. From my perspective, this collaboration will also challenge other retailers to rethink their strategies. Competitors will need to step up their game in terms of digital presence and customer experience to keep pace. It's fascinating to witness these shifts in the retail landscape, and I'm keen to see the outcomes of French Connection's autumn launch on Very. This is just one of the many examples of how the retail industry continually evolves to meet modern consumers' demands. #AutumnLaunch #BusinessStrategy #RetailGrowth #FashionRetail

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The 2024-25 and 11th annual John Lewis & Partners Retail ‘How We Shop, Live and Look’ report looks back at the past year of shopping trends. It’s a brilliant read and a beautifully put together document. This year’s reveals that ‘social shopping’ is in fashion in a year defined by products like ŌURA Rings, lipgloss, microplanes, and barrel leg jeans and trends including social shopping, soggy weather, the 80’s and our sleep obsession. Key findings reveal: 🛍️In-Store Shopping: 79% of customers want to inspect products before buying, 61% prefer to try on clothes or test beauty products, and personal styling appointments increased by 35%. 🦾Personal Tech: One in two rings sold is an Oura Ring, making it a leading “tech jewellery” product. Sales of AI-integrated laptops and smart hair devices, like SharkNinja’s Flexstyle range, surged 154%. 🏠Home Trends: Vintage furniture brands like G Plan saw a 600% increase in searches, while sales of Ercol Furniture Ltd rose 52%. Curtain tiebacks sales more than doubled (+108%), and shaped trays saw a 106% rise. 💋Beauty Trends: Lip glosses, balms, and oils now account for half of all lip product sales, growing by 34%. Sales of body creams rose 25%, and hair masks, oils, and glosses climbed 33%. ♻️Sustainability: Second-hand luxury items gained traction, with the most expensive item sold being a pre-owned CHANEL bag for £4,699. Sales of garlands increased 54% as sustainable decorations grew in popularity. 👖Fashion: Searches for barrel-leg jeans rose by 60%, and leopard print blouses saw a 173% increase. Ruffle maxi dress searches doubled, and sales of rugby shirts grew by 30%. ☕️Social Shopping: 59% of 18-44-year-olds enjoy shopping as a way to bond, contributing to a 12% rise in holidays booked through Kuoni Group counters and a 2.4 average drink order in-store cafés, up from 2.0 pre-COVID. 📺Tech Purchases: Sales of TVs over 70 inches jumped by 38%, while air fryers continued to grow with a 17% increase in sales. STARLINK satellite connections tripled from 13,000 to 42,000. 🎄Christmas Trends: Smaller artificial trees (4.5 ft) saw a 55% rise, while sales of 6 ft trees dropped 13%. Jellycat plush toys boomed by 43%, with seasonal items up 1,411%. The report underscores a mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and technological advancements shaping consumer preferences, with pistachio predicted as 2025’s colour of the year and curved furniture leading design trends. #RetailTrends #JohnLewisReport #ShoppingHabits #SustainableLiving #SmartWearables #HomeDecorTrends #VintageStyle #BeautyInnovation #AIShopping #FashionForward #SocialShopping #LipGlossTrend #RuffleDresses #OuraRing #AirFryerRevolution #TechInRetail #SecondHandLuxury #GreenLiving #InStoreExperience #ChristmasTrends #TheCPGGeek #IBMRetail #IBMConsumer #FMCG #ConsumerGoods #Luxury #Fashion #Retail #Proud #RethinkRetailTopExpert #NRFRetailVoice RETHINK Retail #RethinkRetail National Retail Federation #NRF

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Monday, June 3: 🏦 Online fast fashion firm SHEIN plans to file paperwork for a potential London share listing as soon as this week. An IPO could value the company at around $66bn (£51.7bn). 📱 TikTok has put on hold plans to launch its fast-growing e-commerce business across major European markets, focusing instead on growth in the US where it’s fighting a divest-or-ban law. 📺 Zara plans to expand its live shopping broadcasts to the UK, Europe, and the United States, following the success of its shows in China. The brand intends to launch the initiative between August and October. 💵 Many Americans are worn down by high inflation and interest rates. Companies that offer bargains and staples are reaping the rewards. Dollar General, Ross and Dollar General are examples of recent winners. 🎰 Japanese arcade chain Round One is expanding its presence in US malls, offering a unique combination of entertainment options - with LED-lit Japanese video games, bowling, karaoke, and Japanese food. 👟 ASICS Corporation, the 75-year-old Japanese sneaker brand, is having a moment. So are its shares. The running-shoe maker’s stock price has quadrupled in total return terms over the past two years. 🎮 Roaring Kitty post appears to show a big stake in GameStop. Shares have surged over the past month as influential trader Keith Gill, aka Roaring Kitty on X and YouTube, reappeared on social media. ✈️ The New Terminal One at JFK Airport is set to offer a spacious retail experience. The terminal will feature a Food Hall and Travel Essentials, with a strong emphasis on local New York brands. 🧾 More retailers like Safeway and Dollar General are rethinking their self-checkout strategies. Bay Area news station KTVU reported this week that a few Safeway locations closed down self-checkout because of theft. 🩴 In an attempt to capitalise on full-price sales and robust demand for its cork-based sandals and more recent closed-toe models, mostly at its own stores, BIRKENSTOCK increased its annual revenue and core profit projections. 🏬 Chinese lifestyle and consumer goods chain MINISO USA, which has more than 6,000 stores worldwide including two in Manhattan, signed a 5,000 square-foot lease at JEMB Realty’s 150 Broadway at Liberty Street, NYC. 👮🏽‍♀️ California lawmakers are pushing hard to pass legislation aimed at tackling rising retail crime across the Golden State before a coalition of community members advances their own agenda. 🌶️ Americans should prepare for a hot summer, and not just because of temperatures. Consumers are opening their palette to bolder, spicier, more fiery flavors and the marketplace for foods and drinks is happily obliging them. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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