Kecia Steelman

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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Aloha Friday! 🤙🏼 Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Friday, December 6: 💄 Shares of Ulta Beauty rallied after hours on Thursday after it offered a more upbeat full-year sales forecast, saying efforts to counterbalance steeper competition were showing signs of gaining traction. 🚛 Dollar General said it is testing same-day delivery from about 75 of its stores. On an earnings call, CEO Todd Vasos said the company ultimately expects it will expand the offering to thousands of stores. 🍋 Kroger on Thursday said lower fuel prices and the sale of its specialty-pharmacy business weighed on third-quarter sales, and that it expects fourth-quarter same-store sales to be lower than those in the third. 🚜 Tractor Supply Company outlined its long-term financial targets at its Investment Community Day event, targeting top- and bottom-line growth through 2030. It is aiming to increase net sales by between 6% and 8%. 🐶 Chewy reported Q3 net sales grew nearly 5%year over year to $2.9 billion, exceeding the high end of its guidance for the quarter. It moved into the black during the quarter, reporting an operating income of $25.6 million. 🚚 DoorDash delivery now includes David’s Bridal. The new partnership makes David’s Bridal the first merchant of Doordash’s wedding and special occasion category. 🧘🏽‍♂️ lululemon’s US growth is continuing to slow, but the athletic apparel retailer is making big gains abroad, leading to a 9% increase in sales year over year. And the yoga pants company on Thursday beat Wall Street’s expectations. 👙 Victoria's Secret raised its full-year sales outlook after making gains via the back-to-school season and a new sportswear launch, noting that improved performance had continued through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 🎮 GameStop’s shares jumped on Thursday after a cryptic post from meme stock influencer Keith Gill. Following his post, GameStop’s shares spiked and traded as high as $30.87. The stock closed up 6% at $28.63. 🚙 Vehicle owners are falling behind on routine maintenance, with many experts attributing this to the rising cost of repairs. More than 30 million cars that are on the road are behind on both oil changes and tire rotations. 📉 Mortgage rates moved lower for the second consecutive week, sending purchase applications higher in further signs of pent-up demand amid an ongoing affordability crisis in the housing market. 🍺 Miller High Life is releasing High Life Dive Bar-Fume, a perfume meant to evoke to scents of beer, barstools, greasy food, and everything else that can be found at one's preferred watering hole. 🕯️ Bath & Body Works' highly anticipated event of the year, Candle Day, is returning in stores and online this weekend. 💤 Luxury sleepwear brand Petite Plume is ramping up product partnerships outside of fashion in an effort to expand into a lifestyle brand. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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The battle for the shelf is also the battle for the consumer's wallet. Some of the stress noted in this The Wall Street Journal article is normal, but the current retail and shopping environment is anything but normal. Consumers are being more selective based on inflation and economic uncertainty. Retailers are emphasizing private brands to respond to consumers price sensitivity and to pursue additional basket share. Both retailers and brands are curating their assortments to help manage inventory, overall as well as at the store level. We’ve certainly noticed an uptick in interest for process improvements and solutions to support the stress points discussed, including forecasting, assortment planning, pricing, and overall inventory management. What else are you seeing in the market, in stores, and with consumers? #retail #assortment #pricing The Parker Avery Group Robert Kaufman Sam Iosevich Amanda Decker -Astrologo

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Did you know that Kohl's is projecting the SEPHORA stores inside their locations to bring in over $2 billion in revenue by 2025? They’re doubling down on this business model. Check out this video to hear about their next strategic move… Follow MEMORe for more on branding, marketing, and business. #strategicmove #branding #projection #growth #targetmarket #businessmodel

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Interesting article on thwarting retail theft and different perspectives on what will and will not work!

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Important post for indie toy vendors, inventors and those that send us samples to review. Today(11/14) we reach peak inventory value--then we will start to fall -a drop of half from the peak in about 40 days. So what does this mean; 1. Sending samples and new items past September is a crap shoot--we just don't have the time to review or in many cases the cash to invest. 2. Our marketing/merchandising has been set and to add new items is a risk we generally do not take--there are exceptions however. 3. A vendor who ships late (originally Aug/Sept ship let's say) and we get 3 pre booked shipments all at once in late October is a hardship-- handling wise as well as cash wise. Please give padded time estimates and then beat the date -don't promise a date then be late. Finally, if one does not clear enough inventory to hit their ending inventory target, it can cause a crises later in 2025. You miss by a lot, this can be suffocating because toys is about new. I always say, October is like needing an enema, to help clear out the built up inventory! The flip side is if you don't risk some buys you never reach your full potential! #toys #toyinventory #toynews #retail #games #brickandmortar #inventory #inventors

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"We thought, ‘We can do more with a lot less,’ and that didn’t work out for us.” On the back of #TerribleHorribleNoGoodVeryBad quarterly results, it's quite refreshing to hear Kohl's (outgoing) CEO speak so openly about the current state of the business and the decisions they / he made that did not work out. The full transcript (link in the comments) is worth a read. CEO Tom Kingsbury started with ... "Over the last several quarters, we have implemented a significant amount of change across our assortment, value strategies, and in-store experience. We believe these actions will make us more competitive over the long term. However, we undervalued the short-term impact this change could have on our sales performance." And then went into details on the three areas that drove performance: "a decline in traffic, especially early in the quarter, during the back-to-school season; a reduction in receipts in our private apparel brands, which impacted our ability to drive sales in our key value items; and categories where we have lost traction that represented opportunities for us going forward such as fine jewelry, petites and intimate apparel, and legacy home products." He didn't blame the macro environment or the weather, despite both playing a factor. Frankly, the only thing not addressed -- in the narrative nor in the Q&A -- was how to overcome the challenge of operating in the department store sector as a whole (for those not following closely, department stores have been in a 30-year decline). And yes, I imagine that knowing you're no longer in charge is part of why he was able to "own" the issues, effectively "cleaning the plate" for incoming CEO Ashley Buchanan. But still a welcome change from the "corporate speak" of most quarterly calls. https://lnkd.in/ez8PJ2t7

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One of the best panels to date taking place at the Dan Mack Elevation Forum. Today's retailer panel that included Leigha N Dunbar (Gray) Kara Lemke Sheesley Kaity Whitmire focused on the path to higher quality top to top meetings. Some of the key discussion points on what retailers want: 📣 Trusted advisors (supplier partners) to help them solve problems 📣 To know your Cap-Ex plan - how are you going to grow your business? 📣 Retailers want smiplicity, precision and agility to solve for a complex retail business environment 📣 Don't sell your item, reimagine the category Overwhelingly the panelists all agree that sales & margin are table stakes and must have business deliverables. But the nature of today's business relationships also require key metrics around consumer penetration, delivering cash flow, conversion, growing share, and the passion to solve problems. Congratulations to Dan on his 51st Forum Program. #retail #mindset #leadership #growth

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The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced on Tuesday that it anticipates retail sales for the upcoming holiday season (Nov. 1 to Dec. 31) to rise by 2.5% to 3.5% compared to last year’s figures, reaching approximately $980 billion to $990 billion. Last year’s holiday sales saw a 3.9% increase from the previous year, according to NRF. Jack Kleinhenz, NRF’s chief economist, explained via email that the expected slight slowdown in growth could be attributed to lower prices for consumer goods, which, while beneficial for shoppers, might reduce retailers’ revenue. Additionally, last year’s stronger spending and wage growth also play a role in this forecast. https://cogniz.at/3Ui26gD

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Some exciting news from Crate and Barrel! 🎉 Following the successful opening of their new flagship store in Manhattan’s Flatiron District in New York, the company is gearing up to open even more new stores in the near future. In a recent interview with Crate and Barrel’s CEO, Janet Hayes, she revealed the retailer’s ambitious plans for expansion. Sales soared an impressive 23 percent in the last fiscal year, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. It´s a testament to the company’s dedication to growth, innovation, and keeping the customer at the center of everything. Thanks to Janet Hayes, CEO of Crate and Barrel, and the entire team to demonstrate continued excellence in their work. And to Warren Shoulberg from the Business of Home for conducting an insightful interview, uncovering valuable insights about Crate and Barrel’s bright future. Take a look at the interview in the link below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from this dynamic brand! https://lnkd.in/eRuquPjh #CrateAndBarrel #RetailGrowth #BusinessSuccess #Innovation #Manhattan #BusinessOfHome #NYC #mba #mauriciohuapaya #highperformanceteams #areamanager #strategy #leadership #DistrictManager #TerritoryManager #VicePresident  #SalesDirector #Retail   #FLORIDA #TAMPA  

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For the final quarter of its fiscal year, JCPenney's net sales dropped 5.9% year over year. Net income fell by 8.9%. While the sales performance is poor, there is some positive news in that sales declines are becoming less significant. The final quarter was the best of the year for JCPenney, which is a small crumb of comfort. It might also be an early indication that some of the changes the management team are making are taking effect. Stores that have been remodeled are producing stronger numbers; but there are not enough of them to completely offset some of the declines elsewhere. We will also need to see some quarters of growth before the strategy can be called a success. The profit line remains very weak thanks to a combination of higher costs and lower sales. JCPenney is funding its own investments so some erosion on the bottom line is to be expected, but this needs to start pushing up the sales line if the investment is to generate a positive return. As a private company, JCP has the luxury of time and not having to drive profit growth. As long as the company is broadly profitable, its owners will take a long term view. Thanks to Retail Dive for including my thoughts in the article linked in the comments... #retail #retailnews #departmentstores #consumer

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🔍 Soft #BlackFriday? It doesn't mean that holiday, or overall '24 sales will be soft; it just means Black Friday is serving an evolving role in the retail strategy. It’s no longer just about massive crowds and doorbusters on one day; it's a whole season of loyalty. A marathon, not a sprint.   Richard Kestenbaum explains the significance of physical stores is shifting from pure sales to creating immersive, engaging customer experiences, in an insightful Forbes article. 🎁✨     🔗 https://lnkd.in/esfCtUM5   Key takeaways from this year’s trends:   ➡ **Black Friday Is Now a Season**: The event has evolved beyond a single day, becoming a weeks-long shopping season ➡ **Declining Foot Traffic**: In-store visits were down 3.2% on Black Friday and 0.8% on Saturday, but this doesn’t signal weak holiday sales. The National Retail Federation predicts a 2.5%-3.5% increase over 2023 ➡ **E-commerce’s Role**: Online shopping is a key factor, but it’s not the whole story — shoppers engage across multiple channels  ➡ **Stores as Marketing Hubs**: A store’s success isn’t just measured by foot traffic or revenue at the register. Physical stores are powerful marketing tools, driving non-store revenue and brand awareness as online customer acquisition costs rise.     I spoke about this trend, extensively in my last blog - https://lnkd.in/eHPc2hGT   Retail is more than just a transaction—it’s about delivering experiences that build long-term value.     #RetailInnovation #BlackFriday #CustomerExperience #OmnichannelRetail #RetailTrends

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Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Modern Retail tackles Off-Price and GenZ. #offprice #genz #modernretail While the mid-tier retailers #macys #kohls #jcpenny struggles with sales, GenZ is finding the off-price sector attractive. 64% of GenZ perfer shopping in stores vs online! #stores First quarter sales trends highlight this growing opportunity. #sales #tjx #ross #nordstromrack TJX +3%💥💥 Ross +8%💥💥 Nordstrom Rack +13.8% 💥💥 Combine the aspirational shopper and GenZ, I continue to see opportunities. #aspirationalshopper As GenZ moves into the millions of apartments being built across the country. Setting up their first household, which retailers see the opportunity? The TJX Companies, Inc. I have attached my recent visits to HomeGoods and Nordstrom Rack in the comments. #HomeGoods A big thanks to Julia Waldow for including my comments in her article. #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #shoppingexperience #ecommerce #brickmortar #merchandising #TopRetailExpert

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Retail returns are projected to reach $890 billion in 2024, accounting for 16.9% of annual sales, according to a report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Happy Returns.

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What an incredible conversation with Chris Freeman, SVP of Operations at Michaels Stores! I appreciated the chance to sit down with Chris for a virtual conversation around retail trends as we continue forward through the holiday season. As part of our conversation, he shared helpful insights around: ➖Michaels’ internal simplification strategies, including inventory management and the ship-to-store initiatives  ➖The new clean-and-bright initiatives that have improved customer satisfaction surveys ➖How Michaels sets up their stores’ landing pads to make the stores a true holiday destination ➖The value of their merchants and how they bring in newness and non-traditional sets to activate the stores and create unique shopping experiences Plus, I loved hearing about Michaels work collaborating with small businesses through the setup of their MakerPlace website where these small businesses have the opportunity to sell their handmade goods. They give these creators bulk discounts, building a synergy between Michaels and these small businesses. It’s always nice to see a big retailer finding opportunities to support local creators, especially moving into the holiday season. You can see more from our conversation below and on the MOHR Retail page! #LearnMOHR #Michaels #RetailTrends 

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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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