Kadian Langlais

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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🚀 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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Our team talked through the differences in physical retail vs. digital this week. Cole Walker presented some great insight in the differences in Instacart behaviors and typical store patterns. The big underlying theme? Visibility means something entirely different when you’re talking digital vs. physical in retail. One of my favorite things to do in store is tidy up the shelf (most CPG folks I’ve found do this 😆). The physical shelf requires price tags, inventory, some decent packaging, and merchandising to look good. It also is seen by the human eye, which has a wide lens and can capture a lot of info at once. The digital shelf largely relies on inventory, reviews, and an algorithm paired with searches. It has a very narrow lens for viewership (1 listing per 1 inch of screen essentially) and is noisy in its own way. As the two worlds grow more intermingled, it’s imperative to remember the core ingredients that fuel each medium, and the recipe need for success.

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Kohl's is partnering with Instacart for same day delivery. This latest initiative is part of a wider pattern at Kohl’s of doing things with third parties. Amazon returns came first. Then Sephora. Then Babies-R-Us. Now same day delivery with Instacart. The partnerships don’t hurt Kohl’s in any way and some, like Sephora, do help generate revenue. But they also don’t fix the many issues with the core business. In the case of same day delivery, I doubt it will move the dial much at all. Why? Well, from our data, among Kohl’s existing customers fast online delivery currently ranks 20th in the list of reasons why people opt to shop at Kohl’s. Kohl’s doesn’t score badly here, it’s just not that important to shoppers. This is most likely because a lot of the things Kohl’s sells are not needed urgently, and people are broadly satisfied with current delivery speeds. Among those who do not use Kohl’s, online delivery being too slow is 26th in the list of reasons people don’t shop the chain. Only 5% of non-shoppers identify it as a reason for not shopping at Kohl’s; and less than 1% say it is the main reason. In other words, faster delivery will not activate many new customers and will not drive existing ones to spend more. It's a distraction - albeit not a deeply unhelpful one - from the main problems. Thanks to Modern Retail for including my thoughts in the article linked in the comments. #retail #retailnews #fastdelivery #samedaydelivery #ecommerce

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Here at Ulta Beauty, we believe that beauty is a force for good, for all. So in a world where beauty standards are always changing, our brand new Ulta Beauty study revealed and confimred that every generation shares a deep emotional connection to beauty starting as early as Gen Alpha that is deeply rooted in self care and joy! Introducing our “Generation Joy: Defined by Beauty Enthusiasts of All Ages, United by Joy” report, uncovering a new generation of beauty enthusiasts who are bonded by beauty and united by JOY. We dug deep to discover how consumers across generations, including #GenAlpha, perceive, experience, and are influenced by beauty – and how joy is at the heart of beauty rituals, no matter your age. Among the topline “Generation Joy” insights: ✨Universal Joy from Beauty Routines: All generations look to self-care to increase joy in their lives - with 77% agreeing that maintaining a beauty or wellness routine helps them feel more joyful on a day-to-day basis. ✨Early Beauty Experimentation: Gen Alpha females and males are starting to experiment with beauty products at an average age of 8, five years earlier than Gen Z females. ✨Holistic Beauty Definition: 91% of Gen Alpha believes beauty is about looking and feeling good beyond physical appearance, with a focus on holistic self-care. ✨Parental Guidance: 77% of Ulta Beauty Rewards members who are parents to Gen Alpha actively encourage their child’s interest in beauty, with 70% using beauty routines as a bonding activity. And over two-thirds of these Gen Alpha parents agree that it is healthy and “normal” for their child to want to explore beauty at their age. ✨Natural Preferences: 92% of Gen Alpha prefers a more natural look, 87% prioritize skincare over makeup, and 97% believe skincare is self-care, reflecting their beauty goals – cleanliness, hydration, and enhancing natural beauty. Check out the report to explore how joy and beauty unite us! 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/gSFpqYXu #UltaBeauty #TheJoyProject #JoyForward

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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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Hello Retail Friends, I am pleased to announce the release of our latest Pricing and Promotions research report, developed with Incisiv. This report, surveying 179 retail executives across the US and EMEA, will be presented at Groceryshop in Las Vegas this week - be sure to come see us at booth #A610 to learn more.    Key findings include:   🔹 93% of shoppers demand more value: With 84% citing price as critical, 87% of retailers have adopted aggressive discounting strategies to sustain sales and loyalty.   🔹 $1 trillion in sales driven by promotions in 2023: Amid economic uncertainty, promotions are essential. 87% of retailers plan to maintain or increase promotional efforts in 2024.   🔹 Low adoption of advanced analytics: Only 12% of retailers use real-time data, advanced algorithms, and AI, impacting their agility.   🔹 Critical challenges in data quality and integration: Effective promotional strategies require accurate, unified data, yet cultural resistance also hinders progress.   🔹 Reliance on outdated systems: 37% of retailers still use spreadsheets, lacking the agility needed for dynamic market conditions.   The report highlights the need for integrated pricing and promotional capabilities. By leveraging advanced technology, retailers could achieve an additional $450 billion in incremental sales.   I encourage industry leaders to explore this report for strategic insights to drive growth and innovation.   #RetailLeadership #PricingStrategy #Promotions #MarketResearch #RetailInnovation #Groceryshop #GroceryForum #RELEXSolutions   https://lnkd.in/eSjYKxqC

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Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending the Transformational CMO Summit in Charlotte, NC alongside leaders from Lowe’s, Chewy, World Market, Michael’s, and more. The event was filled with insightful roundtable discussions and workshops that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities we face in marketing. Key Takeaways: 1. Building Relationships: Invest in meaningful connections across the organization. Reputation and authenticity matter more than mere networking. 2. Strategic Insights: Be omnipresent, not just omnichannel. Embrace change, build trust, and remember—a community provides power, not just reach. 3. Engagement & Branding: Create remarkable experiences. Focus on ROR (Return on Relationships) over ROI. Customer experience is the heart of true branding. 4. Content Creation: AI is here to stay but it’s not perfect yet. Fail forward. Embrace tools like Adobe Firefly to enhance efficiency and creativity. 5. Team Development: Celebrate and recognize your team. Understand what motivates them and create a positive work environment. 6. Organizational Practices: Use briefs and agendas in meetings, send out follow-up notes, and empower your team with regular feedback. These insights are invaluable for driving growth and fostering a positive culture. I’m eager to implement them and continue learning. Thank you to the organizers and fellow attendees for an inspiring experience! #CMOSummit #MarketingLeadership #CustomerExperience #TeamDevelopment #AIinMarketing

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In my experience as a buyer, I viewed brand-buyer relationships as collaborative, but it's crucial to recognize that not all collaborations are equal. When you seek a retail partner for growth - look for a retailer that is collaborative Understand that the retailer still operates as a for-profit business But, know that you play a role in helping them achieve their goals Here are some areas to consider when looking at collaboration with retailers Door Count Bigger does not necessarily mean better. If your original doors aren’t “ALL” that’s ok. Discuss a tiered plan for growth and expansion. Placement Every brand wants to be seen. Your shelf placement, or location in the store can determine how many consumer eyes see your product. Ask where you’re being placed. Marketing Yes, ask for support from the retailer in their advertising vehicles. But know this is the place where the brand does the heavy lifting. Be ready to shout to the rooftops where you are. Forecasts Work closely with buyers, planners, and your ops team to understand projections. Have a reserve stock to plan for overperformance. Sales Expectations Ask upfront about the retailer’s benchmarks. Consider how the category performs too. Check-Ins As a new brand, having regular check-ins with your buying teams is great. This could be quarterly, or monthly depending on the projected sales volume. A lot to cover, and I know you might not be there, yet. So save this for that future retail meeting - cheers! – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, your bridge from niche market to major retail. I’m a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale. Ready to expand your reach? Book a discovery call and let’s explore how we can elevate your brand together.

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"It’s about extending our ability to find incredible brands we believe our customers will love and introducing them to those brands at a bigger scale, without the cost of a #wholesale model.” A lot to applaud in Nordstrom's #marketplace launch (#TLDR their vision is to become "The Spotify of #Fashion") ... enabling broader, deeper assortments; building out extended sizes; making marketplace items accessible to in-store #stylists; offering tailoring and alterations; and perhaps most importantly, allowing in-store #returns for marketplace purchases. In addition, I think they should use this as an opportunity to extend beyond "#gifting, #home, and #outdoor" and build share of wallet across a broader range of products and services. For some retailers, a marketplace is a chance to try and become #TheEverythingStore. For most, however, it's an opportunity to curate a range of goods and services that are tailored to your target customer(s), without the requisite costs of setting up #fullstack teams., processes, and #OTB to support. https://lnkd.in/g9aR6sjE

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🌟 Key Insights from the 2024 Consumer Sentiment Index 🌟 The retail world is evolving at lightning speed, and today’s consumers are feeling the pressure. At this morning's Retail Influencer CEO Network breakfast, hosted by AlixPartners, Sonia Lapinsky and Gabrielle Fonrouge presented the highly anticipated 2024 Consumer Sentiment Index. Here’s what’s shaping the future of fashion retail and which brands are leading the charge: 💥 Top Performers Across the Fashion Spectrum: ➡ Macy's ranks #1 overall in department stores, proving that understanding your customer and offering value across the board is key to staying relevant. ➡ Kohl's stands out as the top choice for Gen Z, showing that even value-driven retailers can win big with younger shoppers by focusing on product and experience. ➡ In contemporary fashion, EXPRESS ranks #2, balancing price, product, and experience perfectly for today’s consumer. ➡ In e-commerce, Amazon continues to lead, setting the standard for convenience and a seamless shopping experience. ➡ Unsurprisingly, no one gets even close to CHANEL on the luxury side while Nike remains top-of-mind despite a decline. 🛍️ Key Consumer Shifts: 💡 Brand loyalty is shrinking as shoppers face marketing overload, comparison shopping, and inflationary pressures. Consumers today want more than just products—they want frictionless experiences, fast shipping, and easy returns. 💡 80% of consumers seek engaging loyalty programs, but less than a third think retailers are delivering. 💡 Gen Z is all about social shopping, but surprisingly, only 3% rank SHEIN as their top fashion retailer online—a signal to brands to invest wisely in capturing this market. The message is clear: Retailers must evolve fast to meet these heightened expectations. Brands winning today are those who deliver on consumer priorities—a smooth experience, meaningful loyalty programs, and quality products. 👀 Keep an eye out for the full report and Gabrielle Fonrouge's coverage on CNBC. Let’s continue pushing the boundaries in retail! Read the full report HERE ➡ https://shorturl.at/xNFcH Read CNBC article HERE ➡ https://shorturl.at/ltbQk #Retail #FashionTrends #ConsumerInsights #Macys #Kohls #Amazon #Express #AlixPartners #ConsumerSentimentIndex #RetailStrategy #FutureOfRetail #CX

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It’s no secret that the retail dynamic is complicated right now — brands are fighting for every conversion in an increasingly expensive ad environment where consumers are less loyal and more price-conscious. But Walmart thinks it has the answer, for its own suppliers at least — making its robust slate of first-party data on shopper behavior and supply chain journeys available to brands via the Walmart Luminate suite of insights tools. #data #retailanalytics #walmart #dataventures

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“We saw an opportunity in the market to really lean into the #GenZ customer with incredible style at an extraordinary price point that only someone like Walmart can bring given our scale.” Good move by Walmart as part of their larger revamp of #apparel. But product is only one piece of the equation. For #NoBoundaries to compete head-to-head against Abercrombie & Fitch Co., AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS INC., or any of the other brands targeting Gen-Z, it will take a more holistic effort across #stores, #digital, and #marketing (content and medium) to create real #brand momentum. https://lnkd.in/eudxA2bF

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Thursday, June 6: 🧘🏽‍♀️ lululemon beat Wall Street’s earnings and revenue estimates, but issued weak second-quarter guidance as it contends with a slowdown in the Americas, its largest market. 👕 Hanesbrands Inc. will sell Champion to Authentic Brands Group in a deal worth up to $1.5 billion with performance incentives. Authentic owns brands such as Reebok, Forever 21 and Quiksilver. 5️⃣ Five Below cut its outlook for the year, warning that its core low-income shoppers were facing an outsized impact from years of inflationary pressures. It posted an unexpected decline in same-store sales for the first quarter. 👙 Victoria’s Secret & Co. said it was encouraged by demand for its bras, sleepwear and other clothing in May, but the company said it was exercising restraint amid continued caution more broadly among the US consumer. 🏪 Foxtrot intends to reopen several locations in Chicago in the Gold Coast and Old Town neighborhoods. The news comes after Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen & Market closed on April 23. 🌳 Dollar Tree Stores Tree said that it had started a formal review of strategic alternatives for Family Dollar, which it said could include among others, a potential sale, spin off or other disposition of the business. 💵 Walmart is now offering bonuses to its hourly employees in the US., the company announced Wednesday. The longer an associate has been with the company, the higher the associate's bonus potential, to a maximum of $1,000. 📚 In a blow to publishers and authors, Costco Wholesale plans to stop selling books regularly at stores around the United States, four publishing executives who had been informed of the warehouse retailer’s plans said Wednesday. 🚚 Albertsons and Uber have launched a new food rescue initiative that aims to address food insecurity and food waste in several major US cities. The program donates surplus food from the grocer’s stores to local nonprofits. 📸The TJX Companies, Inc., parent of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, said it’s equipping some store employees with body cameras to thwart shoplifting and keep customers and employees safe. 🍔 McDonald's lost a European Union trademark dispute over the Big Mac name after a top European Union court sided Wednesday with Irish fast-food rival Supermac's in a long-running legal battle. ✂️ The Bank of Canada's decision on Wednesday to cut interest rates from 5% to 4.75% is expected to provide financial relief to Canadians and encourage consumer spending. 🧳 Shinola and Filson parent Bedrock Manufacturing Company has appointed Steve Katzman to the role of CEO and Kevin Wertz as chief marketing officer. 🇦🇺 ALDI Stores Australia is moving into the insurance sector, with the launch of a series of homes and contents, car, and landlord products. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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Had the great opportunity to feature on the Shajwani's Notions podcast to talk about the power of personal branding! If you’re interested in my thoughts, you can listen here - https://lnkd.in/epV6gc7k Thank you Aditya for the invite and a great discussion - really admire the conversations you have on the podcast and happy to alongside some great guests! #personalbrand #personalbranding #personalbrandpodcast #podcast

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Who's winning in retail?? - It is all coming out in our AlixPartners 2024 Consumer Sentiment Index. I had the pleasure of discussing major findings with CNBC's Gabrielle Fonrouge. See link below for Gabrielle's article, as well as link to our full report. Ask me about it - there's even more behind the report. We surveyed 9000 consumers and asked what makes them shop (and buy!) across Fashion Sectors, and who's winning according to the consumers (Walmart, American Eagle Outfitters Inc., Nike, Macy's, Kohl's and others)! (Full report here: https://lnkd.in/ejyutg7v)

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#HotTake: Retail stores aren’t a shortcut to success. Retail offers bigger POs, visibility, and cash flow Yet, it doesn’t ensure brand sustainability Case in point: JLo Beauty Despite celeb status and prime placement at Sephora, She faced challenges resulting in a US exit Retail alone doesn’t secure loyalty or repeat sales Placement isn’t guaranteed forever For lasting success, think beyond the retail PO Some markers of a sustainable brand include: Authenticity, community, differentiated formulas, and true fans Building a lasting brand legacy requires more than a retail presence – 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Monique, a former retail buyer turned beauty industry advisor who helps emerging brands ready to scale at big retail. If you are ready to scale and invest, book a discovery call, and let’s see if we can work together.

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I love everything about this Laura Mena! In-store is making its round again, awesome to see it explained through pop-culture 🙌 Would love to see you explain all the acronyms! #retailmedia #Commerce #traditionalinstore KINESSO KINESSO Commerce IPG Commerce

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