Fleet Street Quarter’s Post

One of the best New York City retail success stories you’ll read about today. It’s not your shimmering Madison Ave luxury store. Nor is it your SoHo high-end designer boutique. And it’s not your Fifth Ave Department Store, dazzling with spectacular holiday lights. It’s Christmas Cottage, New York’s oldest Christmas shop, a holiday décor destination for the city’s yuletide tourists since 1985. A tiny 600 sqf shop nested on 7th Ave, just a few steps away from Central Park, Christmas Cottage survived the twists and turns of the economy and the many transformations of the city’s retail landscape by (drumroll) adapting. In order to be successful through these times of instability and ongoing disruptions, those that thrive are quick at reading and acting on signals of change. It’s a paradigm shift from being good at doing some particular thing, to being really good at learning how to do new things. Read through the Retail Brew interview linked below in the comments to get some refreshingly simple, yet so crucial, learnings that each and every retailer, big and small, should rigorously live by. Some examples: 1️⃣  Space optimization | Christmas Cottage optimizes its space by merchandising just a few of each ornament on its hook-adorned walls, while also showcasing them on color-coordinated trees. “I don’t need to show the same sweatshirt 10 times over. I don’t need to show Christmas eight times on a hook. If you know how to generate the traffic and move the traffic, you can achieve the same bottom line.” 2️⃣ Shopping experience | Their biggest department is ‘writeables’, customizable ornaments celebrating milestones like engagements or first Christmases. And their Tik Tok worthy turtledoves.   3️⃣ Differentiation | To stand out from the slew of gift shops slinging “I Heart NY” T-shirts that it must compete with for any non-holiday offerings, the shop works to stock items not found in those stores, often self-manufacturing items. “We try to stand out a little bit from the rest of the tourist-driven retailers,” he said. “It’s a game you play, and you have to navigate and be current and try to change constantly. Not an easy task, but we try.” So simple, yet so rare to find in many of today's greatest protagonists of the retail scene. #retail #shoppingexperience #stores #merchandising #sales #holidays #linkedinpostsbymariopace

When your store has close to 30,000 sq ft of furniture.. that's a lot of furniture to sell during these current economic challenges. American Freight is closing all of its stores siting "sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges facing the large durable goods sector" We have an American Freight location in Katy, TX near where I live. My wife and I visited the store when they first opened. The store was huge. It was like an IKEA for furniture. We were looking for some outdoor furniture. Okay, don't get me started. When did outdoor furniture become more expensive than the indoor furniture? We walked around to the different sections of the store but ended up leaving without finding anything. To be honest, we are not looking for indoor furniture, so we not gone back. You have to wonder what their customer return ratio is compared to having to gain new customers. Let me know if you have been in an American Freight Store. These are big stores. It will be interesting to see who takes over their vacant space. That's a lot of space to sit vacant. Any ideas Ed Ryland, CCIM, MCR https://lnkd.in/gnjrgiWY #houstontx #retail #goingoutofbusiness

How LVMH Transformed a Miami Warehouse District into a Luxury Hotspot Miami's Design District has become a global hub for luxury shopping, boasting brands like Louis Vuitton , Loewe , Hermès ès, and CHANEL . But just 14 years ago, this area was filled with gritty warehouses and empty lots. So how did this transformation happen? A Shared Vision The key players were Miami developer Craig Robins and #LVMH #CEO @Bernard Arnault. Robins envisioned the Design District as a SoHo of the South, while Arnault saw the potential for luxury brands. Despite initial skepticism, they joined forces to create Miami Design District Associates. The Secret Sauce The success of the Design District goes beyond just luxury stores. Here's what makes it special: Art and Culture: The neighborhood seamlessly blends high-end retail with outdoor sculptures, murals, and museums. Flagship stores resemble art galleries, creating a unique experience. A Curated Experience: Robins is actively involved in curating the vibe of the district. He donated land for a museum and helped attract Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive private clubs. The Results The gamble paid off. Today, the Design District enjoys: Soaring Rents: Asking rents have skyrocketed by 200% since 2019, the highest increase in North America. Increased Foot Traffic: Foot traffic has jumped 47% over the past four years, while other luxury shopping areas have seen declines. A New Miami: Miami is now seen as a cultural capital, attracting financiers, tech entrepreneurs, and the business elite. Craig Robins' Vision Robins' commitment to art, culture, and community has been instrumental in the Design District's success. He has helped create a vibrant destination that goes beyond just shopping. What do you think about LVMH's investment in the Miami Design District? #Miami #DesignDistrict #LuxuryRetail #RealEstate #UrbanDevelopment #Dubai #London #Paris https://lnkd.in/dKpTAR8M

A minor renovation for Nordstrom Mens Club by @spfabricationanddesign created for Nordstrom Mens Club in NYC, when Dante Cafe & New York Cocktail Company decided to take over and wanted @spfabricationanddesign to create some memorable moments for there guests. Here’s a glimpse of the this redesign. #retaildesign #storeredesign #luxuryinteriors #Manhattandesign #retailinnovation

Very interesting... "The new Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up isn’t your typical pop-up. It’s more akin to a traveling mini-mall with a curated collection of luxury shops that spans 17,000 square feet. After its debut at North Hills in Raleigh last November, it opened March 8 for an eight-week run next to the The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Florida. The pop-up is home to 10 luxury boutique­ — including Tiffany & Co., Dolce & Gabbana, Christofle and Etro — as well as a 150-seat restaurant called The Whitman." ... "The idea behind the pop-up started with a question with which many shopping center owners have been wrestling, said Whitman Family Development chair Matthew Whitman Lazenby: “Was there a way to make balharbourshops.com a viable source for folks who wanted to buy luxury goods online?” Luxury retail brands have been developing their own online platforms, but what is missing is the ability to find that collection of luxury retailers online in one spot. “The name Bal Harbour had its own strength,” added Lazenby. “Was there a way that we could leverage that into a more direct-to-consumer model that would start to deliver the mission through e-commerce?”" https://bit.ly/49gC0iJ

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: It’s time for a retail success story, Crate & Barrel’s “Flagship” in Flatiron area of Manhattan. This store just screams #excitement, #emotion, #entertainment, all built around #compelling #merchandise. I first visited this store in December, two weeks after it opened in a beautiful historic building. (See my visit in the comments) Crate & Barrel has been on 🔥🔥🔥🔥, +23% in 2023! 60% of their sales are digital. But their future plans include more stores. #stores #ecommerce Sales are estimated at $2.5 Billion, with 110 stores in North America. #sales Also I have attached Warren Shoulberg’s insights from his “Business Of Home”. See in comments. Warren Shoulberg #retail #retailindustry #retailtrends #retailstrategy #retailexperience #shoppingexperience #furniture #homedecor #homedesign #housewares #kitchen #bath #TopRetailExperts

Great and relative article from Fred Nicolaus, and our friends at Business of Home...."Are Furniture Stores Dying, or Just Changing?" The independent furniture store is not going away, although we are seeing a shift in the industry, as consumers have never had as many choices to purchase from as the do today. This is not specific to the furniture market, but in many segments and markets. Fred is spot on...generational shifts, real estate cash-out opportunities, power brands, direct-to-consumer, etc. People are always going to need a place to sit, a place to put there stuff, a light to see by, and nice stuff for their homes. Great article Fred!!! The independent furniture retailer is dead....Long live the independent furniture retailer!!!! #funiture, #interiordesign, #independentretail, #homefurnishings

Retail in the UK is more than just shopping—it’s about creating experiences that leave a lasting impression. From vibrant high streets to premium outlets, retail spaces play a vital role in shaping how we connect with brands and communities. At Silvaman Group, we’re proud to partner with leading names in retail to deliver spaces that capture the essence of their brand. From flagship locations to designer outlets, we know that every detail matters—because the retail environment is where customer relationships begin. With projects like Armani at Cheshire Oaks and Vuori in London and exciting new ventures on the horizon, we’re dedicated to bringing design, functionality, and quality together to support the evolution of the UK retail landscape. What do you think is the future of the UK high street? Are we moving towards experience-driven spaces or something entirely new? #retail #retailspaces #silvaman #fitout

🌟La-Z-Boy Incorporated continues to impress! 🛋️ La-Z-Boy continues to impress with solid first-quarter results, proving its resilience even amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions. Under the leadership of President and CEO Melinda Whittington, La-Z-Boy’s commitment to growth shines through their strategic initiatives. Their Century Vision strategy focuses on expanding the core Retail segment by strengthening in-store execution, opening new stores, and acquiring independent La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores. This vertically integrated model is designed to deliver superior long-term returns, showcasing La-Z-Boy's forward-thinking approach. 💼 As an iconic brand nearing its 100-year history, La-Z-Boy's ability to adapt and thrive speaks volumes about their expertise and strategic planning. This is a clear example of how a strong balance sheet and strategic investments can propel a company to new heights, even in challenging times. 🌍 What are your thoughts on La-Z-Boy's Century Vision strategy? Do you think it’s a game-changer for the retail furniture market? Share your insights below! 👇 #FurnitureIndustry #RetailStrategy #BusinessGrowth #LaZBoy #CenturyVision #IndustryLeadership