Alex Gerstenzang

Looking for some visual merchandising tips? Here are some thoughts on the virtues of mass merchandising from the Specialty Shop Retailing blog. #independentretailers #shoplocal #visualmerchandising #retailing #smallbusiness

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A huge benefit from our first introduction (David Middleton) has been sharing of information and trends across the Atlantic. From pre-pandemic to the highs after the pandemic and now to more stable times, we have helped each other with insights, ideas and toy news. We even discuss the future periodically. Here we compare top selling vendor lists in a somewhat quiet year. Several key differences (keep in mind only 2 shop keepers but in tune with the industry); Slime sales have fallen in the UK (US slowing but still large) Squishmallows sales have fallen faster in the US than the UK Jellycat #1 plush seller but Douglas up significantly as well in US LEGO #1 both lists (but a higher percentage of the UK biz) Pokémon still trending across the two markets, evergreen continues. Final point-despite 4000 miles apart our YTD dollar sales trends are within a few points of each other. #toys #toynews #toyindustry #games #retail #retailindustry #brickandmortar Toymaster Ltd Learning Express Toys & Gifts

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Retail Media Network Basics At A Glance At the Path to Purchase Institute, we've curated all the essential retail media intel, terms, and definitions you need to know. Whether you're new to retail media or looking to refresh your knowledge, this article is packed with valuable resources to help you stay ahead of the curve. Take a look and get up to speed on the latest in retail media. #RetailMedia #Marketing #P2PI #membership #MediaTrends https://lnkd.in/eS4Jnid8

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Walmart’s new research on the state of adaptive retail points to a new era of retail where customers expect to be advised and guided throughout their shopping journeys. Shoppers want retailers to be ready for them – ready with hyper-specific recommendations, ready to adapt offerings to match needs, ready to deliver.    The systems and platforms the Global Technology Platform team builds are essential for enabling many of these dynamic experiences, from our clouds which power everything across our ecosystem, to platforms like Element that enable teams across Walmart Global Tech to leverage the data they need to innovate faster.   Check out the report to understand the trends shaping the future of retail and how retailers can adapt to meet customer needs.   https://lnkd.in/g_GXHywS   #walmart, #walmartglobaltech

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In today’s retail landscape, merchandisers are overwhelmed with data but often lack actionable insights. They face the challenge of making quick decisions on product selection, inventory, and more, all while navigating fragmented data systems. Traditional BI tools, while useful, can complicate this process with complex dashboards that don’t cater to individual needs. The good news? AI-powered analytics are stepping in to bridge this gap. By integrating generative AI with BI platforms, merchandisers can easily access insights using natural language, simplifying decision-making. For instance, instead of sifting through multiple dashboards, they can simply ask an AI for sales data on specific products across regions. This integration not only streamlines workflows but enhances data-driven decision-making, ultimately improving product assortments and customer satisfaction. As we embrace AI, the future of merchandising is set to become even more intuitive and responsive, giving retailers a competitive edge. Conversations On Retail, Chain Store Age

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Retail design always is a meaningful part of the #retail experience, and I enjoyed sharing my insight with National Jeweler on how design is impacting store design and consumer engagement alike. What are your thoughts on how merchandising + design impact stores… jewelry focused like discussed here or any category of retail?

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It’s not just a luxury playbook.  And it doesn't need to be limited to shoes. Most brands can better manage their distribution channels and how they get to consumers. What some call “pacing growth” can also be shown to fuel demand through constrained supply and exclusivity. It’s not limited to launching a celebrity collaboration, but calls for careful and selective allocation. Finally, managing inventory levels is important as always, but so is achieving the appropriate mix of where it is sold. Merchant strategy and intent, rigorous forecasting and planning, and fulfillment execution. #inventorymanagement

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How to get more swipe-rights !! Your window display is your first impression – make it count! Think of it as your store’s swipe-right moment! Your store window display and visual merchandising are the ultimate bait to reel in those wandering eyes and get customers stepping through the door. It's not just decoration—it’s the silent salesperson that screams: "Come in, we’ve got something special!" From bold colours to clever themes, if your display is on point, customers won’t walk by—they’ll walk IN. Ready to turn heads and boost foot traffic? Your display is the key! Checkout the blog to find out what big brands are doing to attract more customers into their store and how technology plays an important part in doing that !! #VisualMerchandising #RetailMagic #WindowDisplayGoals #AttractAndConvert #RetailStrategy #CustomerExperience #StorefrontSuccess

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NOSTALGIC RETAIL SERIES: 20 - KB TOYS KB Toys was founded in 1922 as Kaufman Brothers, a wholesale candy store.Kaufman Brothers opened a wholesale toy store in 1946. The toy business was an acquisition from a candy client who could not pay its outstanding debts. The retailer ended its candy wholesale business two years later to to focus on toys. Retail sales began in 1973 as the company moved away from wholesaling to become a mall-based toy retailer, using the name Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby. In 1981, Melville Corporation purchased the 210 store Kay-Bee chain from the Kaufman family for $64.2M. The retailer and Melville Corporation went through a series of acquisitions in the 1980s and early 1990s causing a major restructuring and closing of 250 underperforming stores in the new portfolio. In 1996, Kay-Bee was sold to Consolidated Stores Corporation (now known as Big Lots) for $315M. By 1999, the company operated 1,324 stores and was the second-largest toy retailer in the U.S.. It also changed its name to KB Toys that same year. In 2000, Bain Capital entered the picture after Consolidated Stores could not create a profitable company and purchased KB Toys for $305M (notice we are going in the wrong direction!) KB Toys declared bankruptcy in both 2004 and 2008 due to competition, expensive mall rent structures and poor sales. It officially threw in the towel in February, 2009. closing all 461 stores (this from a peak of over 1,300 stores). Toys "R" Us acquired the remains of K·B Toys (website, trademarks, and intellectual property rights). "Strategic Marks, a company that buys and revives defunct brands, purchased the brand in 2016, and planned to open new stores using the name beginning in 2019; plans for this revival, however, were cancelled due to a lack of funding. As of 2020, all trademarks for K·B Toys have been abandoned by Strategic Marks and is currently not used by any company." [Wikipedia] Missed any posts in the series? Click here for the website with the full list: https://bit.ly/3YxvVfR #nostalgicretail hashtag#retail hashtag#shopping hashtag#brands hashtag#retailrealestate

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Retail sales rose significantly, showing strong increases both month-over-month and year-over-year, as consumers continued to spend and drive growth https://lnkd.in/ekHc4QcA Total retail sales (excluding automobiles and gasoline but including restaurants) rose 1.35% month-over-month in May and were up 3.03% year-over-year #retail Chain Store Age

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I enjoyed speaking with Larry Getlen about the trend for retailers opening smaller stores. It’s not just large department stores opening smaller format stores, but that is certainly popular. Also, available locations close to both suburban and urban consumers are tight, especially in more high-traffic lifestyle centers. There are numerous advantages and opportunities for retailers in smaller stores to more effectively manage the assortment, inventory, staffing, and last but certainly not least, the consumer experience. #retail #stores

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If you would like to know more about the theory and practice behind my retail safaris then do take the time to read this fantastic article by Jayalakshmi N I am running safaris in London, Paris and Madrid this summer, so if you would like to take your team out to be inspired with fabulous retail innovation across food, fashion, technology, and looking at everything from great architecture, design and merchandising, sustainability and storytelling, then do get in touch. #retailsafaris #retailtrends #technology #onnichannel

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🚀 Big News Alert: Saks Buys Neiman Marcus with a Boost from Amazon! 🚀 Hey everyone! Just had to share this HUGE update in the luxury retail world. Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent company is dropping $2.65 billion to scoop up Neiman Marcus, and guess what? Amazon’s in on the action, bringing their tech and logistics game. 🛍️✨ Here’s the Tea: • Power Move: Merging two luxury legends to create a mega retail powerhouse. • Tech Boost: With Amazon on board, expect next-level tech integration for a seamless shopping experience, both online and offline. • Big Bucks: Financed by top-tier investors like Rhône Capital and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, plus $1.15 billion in debt from Apollo Global Management. • Market Shakeup: The new combo will hit around $10 billion in annual sales, giving them major leverage with suppliers and streamlining costs. Why It’s a Big Deal: This merger shows how vital tech and partnerships are in today’s retail scene. It’s proof that luxury retail is evolving and adapting, even when times are tough. For investors, this move is a clear sign of confidence in the luxury sector’s future and the potential for new opportunities. Big things are coming, and I am excited to be part of this evolving industry. Stay tuned for more updates as we keep pushing the boundaries in luxury retail!

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With a projected global 2024 gross merchandise value of $3.8 trillion, digital marketplaces are commanding greater investment and attention from traditional retailers and branded manufacturers. #marketplace #retailstrategy

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With the takeover bid for Macy’s simmering away, there has been a lot of focus on the merits of public versus private ownership of retailers – especially legacy players like department stores. One of the big problems with public ownership is short-termism. Most investors want quick returns, and they expect fast progress on initiatives. This pressure isn’t always a bad thing, but it can drive short-term decision making where executives are so focused on the next quarter that they lose sight of longer-term goals. Capital investment can also be an issue, especially if it is directed to things that markets don’t hold in favor. The negative reaction of many when Target announced it was investing in stores is a case in point – although Target’s spending has now been thoroughly vindicated. Private ownership allows for more considered decision making, and it allows for longer term planning. But neither is it a savior. Without the pressure and scrutiny of markets it is very easy to become sluggish and complacent. The Nordstrom family is, no doubt, conscious of all these arguments as they finalize their bid for taking the iconic chain private. Their success hinges on convincing the committee assessing the privatization of the fair value of their bid, and that it beats any competing offers. My view is that the family will have to pay a fairly hefty price to make this deal go through. Ultimately, as a private company Nordstrom will face exactly the same issues as it does now. However, the response to those challenges may be different, and more flexible, and that’s what will ultimately determine whether or not privatization improves the fortunes of the chain. More of my thoughts are in this piece by Just Style... https://lnkd.in/gQCDhGa3 #retail #retailnews #departmentstores #Nordstrom

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Article…”Store Closures Are Surging This Year”… CBS. Any HEALTHY Retailer should be closing +/- 5% of their store portfolio every year and redeploying the resources to new / better locations. An annual “Portfolio Review” that includes reps from Store Ops, Finance, the Leasing Team, Construction and even Mkting and Merchandise should annually review the P&L of EVERY LOCATION along with vacancy rate, $/ft, market demos, market rents, possible alternate and/or emerging markets, population trends of EVERY CENTER and potential new market. The goal is to develop an ACTION PLAN on each location… where can indiv. Depts. make a positive impact to improve business…and what locations need to “go away”… at the end of the lease or even sooner. These sessions can be tense and intense with some “gnashing of teeth” and soul searching but it ultimately results in a more profitable Retailer with resources available to redeploy to new, more productive locations. Crossroads can assist in executing Portfolio Reviews and even work with landlords on “early out” agreements…a sometimes contentious and complicated process that in-house leasing reps may not be equipped to navigate. Our track record on settlement agreements is OUTSTANDING. Contact us at [email protected]

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