Halifax West

Happy Holidays from Halifax West! As Santa's reindeer raise his sleigh, we’re out raising capital—and reflecting on an incredible year. 2024 has been filled with successful deals, strengthened partnerships, and exciting milestones that have set the stage for even greater growth. Thanks to the trust of our clients, the dedication of our team, and the collaboration of our partners, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities and ideas into results. Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy and a prosperous 2025 for all! Warm wishes, The Halifax West Team

After over 120 years as a staple in retail, Nordstrom is embarking on a transformative journey. The Nordstrom family, alongside Mexican retail group El Puerto de Liverpool, has announced a $6.25 billion deal to take the company private. This bold move offers an opportunity to pivot away from public market pressures and focus on long-term strategies to address flatlined sales and fierce competition from industry giants like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Why go private? Public companies like Macy's and Kohl's have faced mounting pressure from investors to prioritize short-term profits. By stepping out of the public eye, Nordstrom’s leadership can take calculated risks to revive the brand, reimagine its customer experience, and explore new growth opportunities. As Erik Nordstrom and Pete Nordstrom continue their family’s fourth-generation leadership, they’ll have the challenge—and freedom—to redefine what a modern department store can be. With 381 stores already operating across the U.S., will this shift unlock a new era of innovation for Nordstrom? https://lnkd.in/ghP-HdQx #Nordstrom #RetailTransformation #Leadership #BusinessInnovation

Holiday shopping trends are shifting back to brick-and-mortar stores, with a 53% increase in consumers exclusively shopping in physical locations compared to last year, according to a First Insight, Inc. survey. According to Retail Customer Experience, this return to in-store shopping reflects a focus on competitive pricing, convenience, and enhanced customer loyalty programs, which have seen a 64% rise in shopper influence. Notably, 48% of shoppers are blending physical and digital experiences, showing how important it is for retailers to seamlessly integrate both channels. As Greg Petro CEO of First Insight, emphasizes, retailers who provide exceptional value and premium services like faster shipping are set to lead during this pivotal holiday season. https://lnkd.in/gBezEZi3

The latest State of Chains report reveals a telling trend in New York City: brick-and-mortar chain stores continue to face challenges, with 109 locations shuttered this year alone—a net decrease of 1.3%. According to Giulia Heyward, Gothamist, this marks the fifth net decline in seven years, as e-commerce reshapes consumer habits and forces retailers to reevaluate their presence in urban centers. While major players like TGI Fridays and La Perla have exited NYC entirely, others like Dunkin' and Popeye's are finding ways to grow, proving that adaptability is key in a fluctuating retail market. Interestingly, while merchandise-focused chains like clothing and jewelry stores are scaling back, food chains continue to expand, reflecting a shift in how residents engage with physical retail spaces. To counter these challenges, the city is taking action—Office of Mayor-Elect Eric Adams has announced a $152.7M plan to revitalize Fifth Avenue, aiming to enhance the pedestrian experience and breathe life into this iconic retail hub. This mixed picture prompts important questions: How can national retailers reimagine the in-person shopping experience? And will investments in infrastructure create the long-term vibrancy needed to sustain NYC’s retail ecosystem? https://lnkd.in/gxQFtJBn

November retail sales exceeded Wall Street expectations, rising 0.7% and reflecting the strength of the American consumer as the holiday season kicked off. According to Josh Shafer, Yahoo Finance notably: • Auto sales jumped 2.4% month-over-month. • Online sales climbed 1.8%, showing continued consumer confidence. These results come as the Federal Reserve Board recalibrates its interest rate stance. Despite anticipation for rate cuts, the economy continues to deliver stronger-than-expected data. What does this mean for businesses? Consumer spending remains a key driver—especially in sectors like auto, e-commerce, and core retail. However, with the Fed’s next moves looming, companies will need to stay nimble to respond to evolving market conditions. https://lnkd.in/djf_Sh9B #RetailTrends #EconomicResilience #HolidaySales

We asked people to read and pronounce “pemphigus,” and let’s just say the responses were… creative. Needless to say, everyone we asked said the same thing: “I’ve never heard of that before.” And that’s exactly why we’re having this conversation. Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune disease that causes painful blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. While it’s hard to say, for those living with it, it’s even harder to endure. Like so many rare diseases, it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely unknown. This lack of awareness creates real challenges for patients—from delayed diagnoses to limited research funding. But the good news? Talking about pemphigus is the first step toward changing that. 💡 How can you help? Start by visiting the International Pemphigus Pemphigoid Foundation Pemphigoid Foundation (link below)! The IPPF is dedicated to supporting patients, raising awareness, and advancing research for pemphigus and other similar conditions. Together, we can turn the challenge of mispronunciation into an opportunity for education and action. Let’s make pemphigus a word—and a cause—that more people know about. https://lnkd.in/gPBywB4M

The November jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics caused quite a stir, with headlines claiming a loss of 28,000 retail jobs. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture: the retail sector actually added 280,500 workers, though this figure fell short of expected seasonal hiring patterns. According to Pamela Danziger, Forbes, this discrepancy stems from the BLS’s seasonal adjustment methodology, which often hides more than it reveals during periods of heightened hiring like the holidays. Retailers like Target, Macy's, and others announced significant seasonal hiring plans, yet challenges remain. Labor shortages, shifting consumer behaviors, and competition with e-commerce logistics roles are reshaping the holiday workforce. As holiday sales growth is projected to remain modest, fewer employees might seem advantageous in the short term. However, this strategy could leave retailers vulnerable in 2025, especially with in-store experiences playing a critical role in rebuilding foot traffic. https://lnkd.in/gYUMdpUQ

New research from Retail Economics and SymphonyAI reveals the transformative impact of AI in retail. The findings are staggering: the world’s top 200 retailers have boosted pre-tax profits by nearly 40% and reduced their carbon intensity by 21% over five years—all thanks to technological investments, particularly in predictive and generative AI. According to Businesswire, the study highlights the power of connected retail, where AI-driven insights streamline operations across supply chains, inventory management, and customer engagement. Notably, food retailers lead the charge, using AI to optimize stock levels and slash waste, achieving both higher profits and significant sustainability gains. Yet, challenges remain. Many retailers struggle with siloed data and uneven AI adoption, leaving potential value untapped. Leaders are showing what’s possible by breaking down barriers with integrated platforms like SymphonyAI’s, which unify data for real-time, confident decision-making. This research underscores a critical shift: AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about resilience, agility, and meeting the demands of an increasingly sustainability-conscious consumer base. Retailers who prioritize AI adoption now will shape the future of the industry. https://lnkd.in/gre6Ejpm #RetailInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #ConnectedRetail

The 2024 holiday shopping season is shaping up to be historic, with both online and in-store sales poised to shatter records, according to Thomas McMillan Jr. of Texas A&M University reported by Lesley Henton. What’s fueling this surge? A blend of pent-up demand for in-person experiences and the convenience of online shopping. Younger demographics, especially, are embracing a “modern mall culture,” combining social outings with shopping trips. This shift reflects the importance of an omnichannel strategy for retailers who aim to meet consumers where they are—whether it’s in stores, online, or on their phones. With mobile shopping and personalized deals leading the way, retailers are offering deep discounts to compete for holiday dollars. This mix of old and new shopping habits highlights the evolution of consumer behavior—and the opportunities for brands that can adapt. https://lnkd.in/g25ANvYN

Steady growth for small retailers, according to Yahoo Finance, november same-store sales are up 6.6% YOY The latest National Retail Solutions (NRS Plus), report highlights significant growth for independent retailers across the U.S., with November 2024 same-store sales increasing by 6.6% compared to the previous year. This marks an acceleration from October’s 3.7% YOY growth, signaling resilience in small-format retail amid economic challenges. Key Highlights: • Units sold grew by 4.5% YOY, and transactions per store increased by 3.2%. • Energy drinks rebounded, chocolate showed rare growth, and Ice Melt sales surged as winter storms hit. • Average prices rose by 3.9%, reflecting inflation and consumer demand shifts. Small businesses remain critical to our economy, demonstrating adaptability and value in serving urban, multicultural communities. As these independent retailers outpace national averages, it’s a testament to their vital role in providing accessibility and diversity in products. NRSInsights Contact: Suzy Silliman SVP, Data Strategy and Sales at NRS National Retail Solutions [email protected] IDT Corporation Contact: Bill Ulrey [email protected] https://lnkd.in/g77Wgh58