Chuck Ryan

Good read for points to consider. I would add a few more. On data, capture the right level of detail that allows observable corrections to improve the scorecards. Get agreement from all stakeholders on the measurement and the details behind the measurement. I remember a previous role where it took several months for accounting and merchandising to agree on the inputs for the margin calculation. Do not underestimate the need for change management. You create a scorecard to ensure success. It will flush issues that require change in the retailer and supplier networks. Leaders must be expect and support those changes. Some of those changes will be uncomfortable and may strike close to home.

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Great to see this sustainability initiative from Target Also Alyssa Hardy is on point here regarding fast fashion. https://lnkd.in/gdiQdgqs It’s not 100% clear where the #denim material goes after we drop it off at Target. Is anybody in my network knowledgeable about the downstream sustainability issues of fast fasion? If there’s one thing I learned from pandemic, it’s that global supply chains are quite fragile in moments of crisis. #supplychain #cradle2cradle #denim #fastfashion

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The critical role of continuous improvement https://buff.ly/4csELzQ via @gregkihlstrom of @theagile_brand on @Thinkers360 #CustomerExperience #DigitalTransformation #Marketing

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It's unsurprising that some consultants for retail are still completely missing the boat with new technology -- to argue that retailers need a "war room" for inventory management because retailers have siloed data is ridiculous. Umm, maybe replace the disconnected systems with a modern unified platform instead of adding more labor, inefficiency, and complexity to the retail chain. A unified system like FieldStack running a retail chain will easily, provably outperform a "war room" of people looking at siloed data sets -- the "war room" will invariably induce personal bias, be slower, and much harder to scale... there is a much better way --- fix the problem! #retail #retailstrategy #inventorymanagement

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Thank you RETHINK Retail for this feature. One of the questions I was asked: 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜? ⏺️ Product creation practices tied to over development and excessive physical sampling ⏺️ Merchandising and assortment planning strategies need to be reimagined = more supply does not equal more demand ⏺️ Inventory issues like excess inventory and eroded margins from markdowns ⏺️ Managing customer expectations on the instore and online experience ⏺️ Perfecting personalization, from design to marketing Interested in learning more? Check out the link below. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/edXg5aAf #retail #topretailexpert #RetailVoices #RetailVoicesbyNRF #RETHINKRetail #NRF2025

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Financial results for four major retailers  Kohl's, Burlington Stores, Inc. , Dollar General, and Five Below in the second quarter of 2024 highlighted a range of performances and strategic responses. From growth and resilience to challenges and adjustments, their fiscal performances provide insights into how they are navigating the evolving retail environment. #Retail #BigBrands #consumers #sales #results #UPSDigital

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Happy National Read A Book Day! 📖🥳 ⬇️ Comment down below your favorite agile book. #agile #agilecoaching #agile2024 #agileaustin #agilemindset #nationalreadabookday #agilebook

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Retailers are facing increasing margin pressure, and adding unprofitable activities to their stores only exacerbates the challenge. The rise of "Amazombies" - Amazon customers returning packages to Staples, Kohl’s, or UPS Store - has become a significant issue in the retail landscape. According to one associate, Amazon contributes about one-tenth of profits to retailers but consumes a staggering 90 percent of the working day. This imbalance highlights the need for retailers to reassess their strategies in dealing with such returns effectively. For retailers grappling with return complexities, Dropit offers a solution that streamlines returns redistribution, aiding retailers in achieving optimal inventory management. Learn more about how Dropit can help revolutionize your approach to returns: https://bit.ly/4c8dgur #retailindustry #dropit #inventoryoptimization

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🚨Leadership Changes in Retail🚨 In a significant shift in the retail landscape, Kohl's CEO Tom Kingsbury is set to step down in January, making way for Ashley Buchanan, the current CEO of Michaels, to take the helm. This transition marks a pivotal moment for Kohl’s as it navigates the evolving retail environment and aims to enhance its competitive edge. Tom Kingsbury has spent considerable time at Kohl's, implementing key strategies to drive growth and engagement during his tenure. His leadership has certainly shaped the company’s direction, but as trends change and customer preferences evolve, it’s clear that fresh perspectives are essential. Enter Ashley Buchanan. With a strong background in retail and a proven track record at Michaels, she brings valuable experience that could redefine Kohl’s approach to customer engagement and operational innovation. Her ability to adapt and pivot in a shifting market is crucial as Kohl’s seeks to revitalize its brand and attract a broader audience. The retail industry is witnessing unprecedented changes as e-commerce continues to thrive, and companies grapple with evolving consumer behavior. With Ashley Buchanan leading the charge, we may see a renewed focus on enhancing the in-store experience, integrating digital platforms, and fostering community connections—key areas that will drive loyalty and sales. As we anticipate this leadership transition, it’s an opportunity for Kohl's to reinforce its strategy and reshape its future in retail. Let’s keep an eye on how this new chapter unfolds for both Kohl's and its employees, customers, and stakeholders. What are your thoughts on this leadership change? How do you see it impacting Kohl’s moving forward? #RetailNews #LeadershipChange #Kohls #Ecommerce #TomKingsbury #AshleyBuchanan #BusinessStrategy #RetailLeadership #ConsumerTrends Source: https://theinformer.uk/ 🚨🚨🚨Sponsored Link: Why 45 Million+ People Can’t Stop Raving About Revolut – The Game-Changer for Banking, Stocks, and Crypto! https://lnkd.in/eYqp6nXy

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A brand-new course has been launched….. GRAY CAT LEARNING SERIES: MERCHANDISING Merchandising is a critical aspect of how “shoppable” a store will be. Conceal or confuse the customer with your merchandising and it won’t matter if you carry the top brands, the customer will become frustrated and leave the store. Many retailers simply “stack it high and let it fly” without considering the nuances of proper merchandising. By guiding the customer through your store with their favorite products that are easily accessible, the retailer has an excellent opportunity to turn merchandise inventory more quickly and thus increase profits. The goal of this course is to provide you with an overall merchandising strategy to make the shopping experience quick, efficient and easy for the customer. While some customers may wish to “shop” the store and take more time, let that be their choice, not forced into that mode by poor merchandising. Here is the link for the Merchandising course: https://lnkd.in/da7mFFCN Available as an individual course or as part of a company-wide program (contact me for details). Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. #graycatenterprises #managementconsulting #conveniencestores #franchise #retail #merchandising

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Oh Target...you got distracted by #ecommerce and #grocery which hurt your profits...and the store experience suffered as a result (items locked up, stores look tired, poor stock, closed dressing rooms.) On the other hand, it's time to face that your #shopper is changing, and fun/fresh/new isn't quite enough anymore. You need a broadened health/household/beauty assortment to cover more core needs. Agree/disagree? #retail #stores #target #commerce

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Kanban is an visual workflow management method designed to help teams work more efficiently together. 👉 Explore the DASA Glossary. https://glossary.dasa.org

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Want to learn how to use a RACI model to assign responsibilities? Check out PMIStandards+: https://bit.ly/3yRrAtj #PMIStandardsPLUS #RACI #ProjectManagement

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An interesting read on the impacts of the new government on retail. A mixed bag: Tax cuts or continuation of tax cuts that are due to expire in 2025, increased tariffs( = increase in expenses), a warmer approach to mergers, etc. #retail

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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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Thank you Russell Gallagher for elevating my comment to its own thread. Whether dealing with business transformation, moving locations, increasing social media presence or any myriad of other business initiatives may seem like simple business decisions, they can increase the risk of insider data leakage, introduce new threats or otherwise have cause for a good conversation with your cyber risk professionals. As CISOs, we need to be prepared to discuss business risk beyond the IT controls.

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Is your retail organization focused on everboarding?    This is a topic of increasing importance, as today’s retail talent pool is searching for jobs that will invest in their development and growth. During MOHR Retail’s recent webinar, I dove into this topic with our panelists. Take a look at some of the takeaways below:   ▶ Lisa Anderson (She/Her/Hers), Division Vice President of Optometry at EyeCare Partners, shared that when it comes to individual career-pathing and growth plans, they use a variety of training formats, including microburst training to hands-on experience and focus time with a mentor. This approach has proven valuable from a retention standpoint and in helping drive more internal promotions.    ▶ Mike Van Lente, Executive Leader of Learning & Development at Whole Foods Market, noted that they offer a development program to prepare high-potential team members for each leadership role in a store, from associate team leader (assistant manager) all the way to store team leader (general manager).    ▶ Career-pathing isn’t just about moving into leadership, though, as Van Lente pointed out. Whole Foods also offers apprenticeship programs that are designed to build specialized skills and knowledge, creating a pipeline of artisan talent to fill different roles across the specialty grocer’s departments.   In all, retail organizations need to focus on varying pathways for team members to create advancement and increased income opportunities. By investing in an everboarding approach, retail organizations will improve their opportunities to recruit and retain the top talent.    How has your retail organization invested in everboarding?    #LearnMOHR #RetailTraining #Everboarding 

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