Rafeal Mersier

Getting shortchanged by your employees? There's a foolproof way to find out about it. It’s 2024. Retail operations pros can now find anomalies in any supply chain data set. At one point in my career, I was a loss prevention manager in a distribution center. In distribution centers, employees work the line picking and packing products. They get an order and must pick many products to fill a tote for eventual delivery to a store. You've probably heard the crazy stories about what distribution centers are like from articles about Amazon fulfillment centers. Productivity is measured in EVERY way possible. Everything needs to happen as fast as possible to maintain profit margins. So, distribution centers run like military operations. But just like anything else, there are ways to manipulate and falsify data. Once, my company was on a productivity sprint. We were cracking down on bottlenecks, which were mostly people who worked as slow as molasses. All of a sudden, those same people were operating at hyperspeed. It didn't make any sense. It turned out that the workers in question were throwing away orders but marking them complete. As a result, products weren't being picked and delivered to stores. Retail chains scrutinize third-party vendor orders more closely. But they often take "blind receipt" of orders from their own warehouses. They accept deliveries without checking them, assuming everything is there. Meanwhile, the chain is shorting its stores—and the stores don't even know about it. We terminated these problematic employees. But back then, we had a strong clue — the extreme change in productivity — that helped uncover the problem. Good thing you can now track and identify anomalies in ANY retail operations data point with Exception-Based Reporting (EBR). However, most retail operators associate EBR with the point of sale. With ThinkLP, you can run EBR on any data to find unusual behavior (training issues, nefarious acts, etc.) that limits your performance potential. #retailoperations #lossprevention

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📊 Home Depot's Q1 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: 💰 Net sales dip by 2.3% to $36.4B, but online sales surge 3.3% 🏗️ Building materials and power departments shine amidst challenges 📉 Inventory slashed by 12%, showcasing strategic management 🛠️ SRS Distribution Inc. acquisition signals Pro-customer focus 📈 Fiscal 2024 guidance stays firm amid market turbulence #HomeDepot #EarningsCall #RetailGrowth 🏡💼

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Over the years, I’ve noticed a big gap in how retail organizations develop their store support leaders. Retailers rarely question the value of spending time and money on giving leaders technical and functional training—but, leadership and communication training are not as frequently available to them. During my retail career, I’ve also seen another issue: What little is provided in the way of leadership development isn’t retail-specific, meaning it’s not designed to address the unique realities faced by leaders working within a retail organization. Your support area supervisors are critical behind-the-scenes players on the retail team. Many of these supervisors not only play the role of boss to their teams but are often seen as essential business partners the rest of the organization depends on. The ability of your store support supervisors to communicate cross-functionally, influence, negotiate, and navigate politically charged situations is directly related to the effectiveness of the leadership development they’ve been given. When planning talent development for your company, don’t forget those who are behind the scenes and the essential leadership role they play in helping plan and execute all those programs that differentiate you from your competition. How do you ensure your store support leadership has the necessary “soft skills”? If you need guidance, our next Store Support Leadership (SSL) course starts October 1: https://hubs.la/Q02LK7st0 #LearnMOHR #LeadershipTraining #RetailTraining

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RetailStat's Starbucks Fiscal Year-End Report is Out! Starbucks faced weak traffic and a challenging FY24, prompting a leadership shakeup with new CEO Brian Niccol. Revenue grew slightly (+0.6% to $36.18B), but global comparable sales dropped 2%, with China underperforming (-8%). Despite operational pressures, Starbucks maintained strong North American unit volumes ($2.3M per store) and healthy debt metrics. Looking ahead, the Company plans to simplify pricing and enhance the in-store experience. Subscribers can read the full report at retailstat.com #RetailInsights #Starbucks #FY24 #FinancialAnalysis #RetailStat

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#podcast #retailleadership #retailgrowth Welcome to "From Store Assistant to Store Manager: Mastering Retail Leadership," your ultimate guide to climbing the retail career ladder. Whether you're starting as a store assistant or aiming for a management position, this podcast is designed to help you succeed at every level. We'll dive deep into the essential skills and competencies required for each role, from providing exceptional customer service and mastering communication as a store assistant to strategic planning and financial management as a store manager. Join us as we explore actionable insights and practical advice for career advancement. Learn how to demonstrate leadership, handle complex customer issues, and develop your team. Hear from an industry expert and successful retail professional who shares their experiences and tips on what it takes to excel and move up in the retail world. Tune in to discover how to navigate your retail career, gain the necessary skills, and unlock new opportunities. Whether you're looking to enhance your current role or ready to take the next step, this podcast equips you with the knowledge and confidence to achieve your career goals in the dynamic world of retail. https://lnkd.in/eqND6RJq

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Working at Walmart felt like sailing at night, with a lot of bright stars to guide you.  Working at Sears and Walgreens Boots Alliance felt like sailing in the dark. What Walgreens and other companies like it fail to understand is that . . .  *  Walmart-like thinking brings Walmart-like results. *  Sears-like thinking brings Sears-like results. #IntegratedThinking versus #SiloOnlyThinking. THE DIFFERENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Here is how high school students understand it. https://lnkd.in/dPAsspfT  Please #share this with others.  It helps eliminate a lot of wasted: time, effort, capital, investment, etc.  And it does make people #happier, #faster and #MoreProductive.  This should be taught in all high schools. More than happy to walk anyone through this. It is quick, free and fun. https://lnkd.in/gu87eyc8 Just let me know.  Thanks! #alignment #communication #coordination #strategy #CommonSense #IntegratedThinking

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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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Such a great article on how you can leverage CoPilot to make your life easier! I have been using CoPilot for the last couple of months and honestly can't imagine working without it now. This article provides 7 great tips on how to also use it in your daily life! What a win in multiple ways! #microsoft #copilot #alwayslearning

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Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: What’s it like to be a Walmart Store Manager? #walmart Let’s call them what they are, Retail Executives, Plant Managers, etc… Operating a +$100 million cash cow, a profit center, a logistics challenge, customer service center with over 400 associates. #leaders #retailexecutive #cashcow #profitcenter #logistics #customers #associates A typical day starts at 7am, where Store Managers start their store tour, reviewing the operations from the night crew’s performance, deliveries, engageing associates and customers. His/her shift can last 10 hours and walk about 6 miles a day. #storetour #operations #performance #deliveries #engagement #shoppingexperience Before Walmart’s new technology was installed, his day started at 5am, normally six days a week. Now using phone apps provided by Walmart, at his fingertips, Store Managers can access sales, inventory, staff schedules, etc… #technology Can Store Managers earn $500,000 year with salary, stock options and bonuses. YES!!! 75% of all Field Management started as a hourly associate. ❤️ #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #leadership #organizationaldevelopment #TopRetailExpert

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🌾 Let's talk merchandising, secondary displays, and placement today!! 🌾 The classic Shipper ✨ This type of merchandising display has both its ✔️ and ❌ (like all other types of secondary displays). Pros: ✔️ Pops up in the Store ✔️ Eye catching ➡️ not on your regular display shelf ✔️ All eyes on the Brand because there is "no" cross merchandising ✔️ Brand call-outs ✔️ Quickly and easily be positioned in different areas/departments within the Store ✔️ Comes empty or filled w products Cons: ❌ Needs constant replenishment ❌ Needs a good placement ❌ Empty holes make it less appealing ❌ Shipper comes empty (flat) ➡️ Store needs to build and remember to order products ❌ Shipper comes full ➡️ probability of arriving damaged ❌ Difficult to do cross merchandising ❌ Only the Brands' products are on the Shipper and no other Brands ❌ Ensuring the correct products are on the Shipper ❌ Not ideal for Stores w narrow aisles or high traffic areas (double Con) ❌ Can be costly to design and print ❌ When to tear down the Shipper? What are your thoughts on Shipper displays?? And I am certain 85% of anybody who reads this has "crashed" into a Shipper at least once before (I definitely have) 🙈 If you do, just remember to reposition the Shipper back and help the Brand face before leaving 🙂

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CVS Health is stepping up the in-store experience with programmatic audio ads, allowing brands to reach shoppers in real-time as they browse CVS aisles. Partnering with The Trade Desk and Vibenomics, a Mood Media company. CVS Media Exchange (CMX) is bringing new, self-service audio ad placements to 6,900 stores nationwide, with plans to expand. Starting November 12, eligible advertisers can leverage geo-targeting, seasonal/dayparting strategies, and more to deliver 30-second audio messages in-store. Shoppers who hear these ads are 90% more likely to consider a purchase—an exciting boost for brand engagement. https://lnkd.in/drwRAb9b #RetailMedia #AudioAds #ProgrammaticAdvertising #CVS #CMX #InStoreMarketing #Vibenomics

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Exciting news! Today, Walmart was named one of Fast Company’s “Best Workplaces for Innovators” and one of Fortune’s “Best Companies in Retail.” When I think about innovation, of course I think of our Global Tech team and the great work they do with technology, but I especially think about the high-tech Supply Chain facilities I visited in Texas a few weeks ago.    There, we’re using innovative technology to make jobs less physically demanding so associates across the country have a better work experience -- associates like Kevin "KC" Hunt. And when I think about being one of the best companies in retail, the answer is simple – it’s all about the associates at the heart of our business.    So excited for Walmart to be on both these lists! #TeamWalmart #PeopleLedTechPowered View the Fast Company “Best Workplaces for Innovators” list here: https://lnkd.in/g3KaBqwK View the Fortune “Best Companies in Retail” list here: https://lnkd.in/g-Yp_UkJ

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ICYMI: Insights from "How Entertainment Concepts Energize Retail Centers"   I had the privilege of moderating an engaging discussion about how entertainment concepts are transforming retail spaces earlier this week. Huge thanks to our fantastic panelists — Brandon Robinson of Tipsy Putt, Zach Shor of Goodsurf, and Caroline Harrelson of The Retail Coach — for their expertise and insights, and to all the attendees who joined and asked such thoughtful questions!   Here are a few takeaways that really stood out:   Entertainment drives connection: Beyond foot traffic, these concepts are building communities and creating destinations that people want to return to again and again. Trends to watch: Smaller, curated concepts and hybrid formats are gaining traction, proving that less can be more. Customer engagement is key: The most successful brands actively listen to their customers and adapt — it’s all about creating experiences people truly want. Partnerships make the difference: Collaborative landlord-tenant relationships and local municipality support can open doors (and wallets) in ways that benefit everyone. Community-first thinking wins: Aligning offerings with local culture and values isn’t just good business—it’s how you create real loyalty.   Many thanks to the ICSC Research Team, John Connolly & Matt Panfel for supporting this important conversation with data and insights.   Excited to welcome our members at ICSC NEW YORK in just a few weeks. #ICSC

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Thank you so much to everyone who sent their wishes and cheer! I truly appreciate it. It really pumps me up even more to BRING IT! 😊 I wanted to share the outcome and a few lessons I learned from the Walmart Open Call experience for those considering it next year: The Outcome: My meeting went exceptionally well, and we are now in active dialogue with the category manager for potential test set placements! While I didn’t score the “golden ticket” (a deal on the spot), the reason given was purely about timing since Mod 30 (week 30 for the eggs category) had just been completed. Key Takeaways: 1)Just Being Selected is a Win If you’re selected to pitch, you’ve already got the retailer's attention, which is huge! It sets you up nicely for the next review cycle, and they’ll keep an eye on you. 2) Submit Across Multiple Categories I noticed some brands had products in 6-7 categories and had meetings lined up all day! I could’ve submitted to 4 categories instead of just “Eggs.” Lesson learned for next time! 3) Why Multiple Categories Matter Cross-merchandising is a game changer. If timing for one category doesn’t align, pitching in another might be your entry point. For example, I could’ve pitched for Eggs or Deli with our Hard Boiled Eggs and also for the Frozen category with a different innovation. Once you’re on the "selected list," your conversations with other category managers become easier. 4) Expect the Unexpected You never know where an opportunity might open up. A friend of mine was aiming for Walmart but ended up getting placed in Sam’s Club instead! Retailers might see a fit where you didn’t initially expect. 5) The Experience is Electric! Walmart goes all out for the Open Call. The energy is incredible with two days full of pomp, props, inspirational guest speakers, and real-world case studies on how to succeed in the marketplace. I hope these insights help anyone considering the Open Call next year! Thanks again for all the support! Onward! 🚀 🚀 🚀 #wins #brandbuilding #emergingbrands #growth #startupjourney #eatmoreplants #vegan #plantbased Crafty Counter #wundereggs Walmart #walmartopencall

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NOSTALGIC RETAIL SERIES: #7 - ZAYRE Brothers Max and Morris Feldberg founded a company in Boston in 1919 to supply undergarments to department stores. When sales began to decline, they ventured out to create a new discount department store. The first Zayre location opened in Hyannis in 1956. Zayre which was a transformation from the Jewish saying “Zehr fgut” which means very good, grew into one of the largest retail chains in the country with almost 1,200 locations nationwide. In the '70s, Zayre tried to buy Marshalls but failed. Their answer was to create a Marshalls clone, TJ Maxx, in 1977. Yes....TJ Maxx❗ In the mid 1980’s profits began to decline which eventually led to Zayre filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988. The department store chain was then sold to Ames and by 1990 Zayre ceased to exist. Ames, kept the exterior similar to the style of the shuttered Zayre locations. Ames filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001 and their remaining stores were closed shortly after. Zayre’s one-time subsidiary TJX (TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods) is thriving. Missed any in the series? Click here: https://bit.ly/3U8etfa #nostalgicretail #retail #shopping #brands #retailrealestate

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I mentioned in a post yesterday that I was attending the final #WalStreetSpeakerSeries event of the year at the Sam's Club Auditorium. These events are always favorites of mine, dating back to when I served as Moderator for the first three WalStreet events back in 2017. However, for those of us in retailing and based in #NorthwestArkansas, this event with guest Creighton T. Kiper was particularly valuable, based on Creighton's advice for members of the Walmart Supplier Community. As it relates to the Supplier Community broadly, Creighton recommended a focus on: 1.) Proactive, Honest, and Transparent Communication with your Walmart Merchandising Team. 2.) Innovation, both with new product ideas and how you work with Walmart. 3.) Focus on executing the fundamentals of the business, including products, pricing, and assortment excellence. 4.) Drive Digital Forward, as that is a platform for growth moving forward. As it relates to a brand's digital presence specifically, Creighton's challenges to the group included: 1.) Content Quality, including the use of Rich Media to drive engagement of your Product Detail Page (PDP). 2.) Assortment Breadth, using both expanded assortments and Marketplace to provide access to your full catalog, and the data & insights that stem from it. 3.) Marketing, with a particular focus on mid and upper-funnel tactics that many brands are neglecting. A powerful and relevant message for the group...awesome! #omnichannelretail #walmart #retailstrategy

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