Hillary Super’s Post

Do you know why #LuluLemon's stock is taking a hit? I'm sure there are plenty of complex Wall Street explanations, but I just overheard a simple, powerful one: In their outlet store, a nice lady said to her friend, "This feels like Marshall's. Get me out of here." And that, friends in the luxury athletic apparel industry, signals a brand that’s losing its grip. The shopping experience is integral to creating a high-end product feel. Whether in flagship stores or outlets, every location is a chance to engage customers and reinforce the brand’s story—not just to make sales. After all, a premium brand isn’t just about the product; it’s about the experience. #premiumbrands #brand #StrategicCommunication #Storytelling #ShoppingExperience

The perils of being an advertising man. There are 2 common business models derived upon the insights on 2 types of customers. Efficiency + Volume = Revenue or Quality + Scarcity = Profit. Zara and Ralph Lauren are both compatible and antagonistic within fashion. But not a single person who works at Zara is delusional enough to think they work at Ralph Lauren. And vice versa. The problem with most advertising agencies is that they keep trying to build an internal Ralph Lauren culture at the same time they sell Zara. The sooner you let your people and your clients know what you stand for, the sooner your business will run smoothly. #growth #mindset #business #founders #culture #vision

Why some brands can charge more: Five elements of premium price advantage. A quick read on the pricing power of brands as an equalizer in marketing. People overpay for Gucci + CHANEL, that’s why they’re Gucci + Chanel – but they also do the same for everyday brands. Our resident provocateur and SVP of Strategic Projects, David Gutting, digs into why it matters and how brand managers can use this intel to persuade the C-suite. #ModernConsumer #BrandStrategy #WholeBrandThinking https://hubs.la/Q02sWkVw0?

The future is fitting rooms! A place in the store where everyone should feel welcomed and get exceptional service from their favorite brands. Hear how Victoria’s Secret & Co.'s journey to make the store of the future become the "future where every customer feels appreciated and included in the shopping experience." I needed a tissue for that last story. A question for all my retailers: What makes #impactfulretail? Have you connected with Crave Retail's Founder, Matthew Cyr, if you or a colleague is attending The Lead Summit starting tomorrow? He will be there to talk about what makes "Impactful Retail." The area in your store might surprise you, which can lead to an inclusive experience for all your customers. #thefutureisnow #fittingroomtechnology #customerexperience #retailforeveryone

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s remarkable resurgence underlines the power of putting consumers at the heart of every decision. Their success story is a testament to the efficacy of customer-centric strategies in revitalizing a brand. #BusinessStrategy #CustomerFirst

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s comeback is highly impressive. If you consider where the brand was some years back and its problematic recent history, the fact it is now one of the fastest growing apparel retailers is little short of remarkable.   Part of the reason for the success is that Fran Horowitz and her team are retailers, they understand how retail works and, most of all, they are completely focused on the customer. All of their plans and decisions have been taken with the customer in mind, which is why they have worked so well. Many other retailers give lip-service to the customer, but don’t really follow through. This isn’t the case at Abercrombie.   The integrated nature of management’s vision also played a big role. They have looked at every aspect of the organization to see how it needs to change to fit in with the new vision. For example, while changing products has been at the heart of the reinvention so too has retooling the supply chain to make it faster so the company can chase trends rather than try and predict them. Another example is looking at where and how products are sold, which has led to sensible decisions on downsizing stores and coming out of loss-making vanity flagships.   Fran and her team haven’t been afraid to make change and ditch past baggage. Basically, this is a team that has a very firm grip on the business and on the market and has executed flawlessly. It was great have my comments included in Vogue Business' interview with Fran (link in comments).  #retail #retailnews #apparel #fashion

I'm back with my all-new blog on odd-even pricing!- https://lnkd.in/ggZ2qK-J Curious about why Starbucks charges $4.99 instead of $5? Or how Louis Vuitton leverages this pricing strategy to elevate its luxury brand image? In this blog, I've shed lights on the psychology behind odd-even pricing and explored some real-world examples that demonstrate its effectiveness. Let’s spark a conversation: What are your thoughts on odd-even pricing? Have you noticed any brands that use this strategy effectively? Share your insights in the comment section! #PricingTips #OddEvenPricing #MarketingHacks #CustomerBehavior #BusinessGrowth #PricingAnalytics

Merchandise

It's easy to do what you know but never easy to disrupt the norm and take a new approach. Fortunately it's exciting. Last year the business embarked on a new and exciting strategy of international expansion through M&A, complimenting our existing approach of quick site launches across key European markets. Last month we took that a step further with the acquisition of Dress for Less in the German market. An important move operationally for the company as we expand our reach across key European territories but also from a branding perspective as we maintain the brand equity that has been developed over the years tapping into the salience that exists within market. Bringing Dress for Less customers access to over €3 billion worth of stock & access to some of the worlds leading brands it's certainly going to be a big and busy year ahead! https://lnkd.in/endVPn2P

Dear LinkedIn community, Sharing the latest from Foot Locker: They reported a holiday-quarter loss, and the market response has been significant, with shares taking a 30% plunge. As we navigate the dynamic retail landscape, it's clear the sneaker giant is facing challenges. Despite ongoing efforts led by former Ulta boss Mary Dillon, the company has also adjusted its guidance for the current year and delayed a key profitability target. Change is inevitable, and Foot Locker is in the midst of a turnaround journey. Challenges may be tough, but the resilience of a brand often lies in its ability to adapt. Here's to hoping the steps taken lead to a stronger and more resilient future. Let's stay connected for more updates on industry shifts and strategies. Your insights are always welcome. #FootLocker #RetailIndustry #BusinessNews #TurnaroundJourney #Adaptability #TheSocialTalks