Experience

Gen Z fashion is a contentious topic. Even the question of whether social media has made Gen Z the most trend-conscious, or the most trend-immune generation, is constantly up for debate. The Zoomer generation’s dedication to uniqueness has made sourcing and selling to them a challenge for so many retailers. Unlike prior younger generations, there are very few clearly defined social cohorts for retailers to market to. There’s no Breakfast Club jock, princess, rebel, geek and outcast trend style happening here. However, there are a few …

Three Gen Z Fashion Looks from the Belly of the BeastRead More

Here’s the million-dollar question: Are three major UK and EU shopping cities outdated and irrelevant for retail tourism? We’re talking London, Paris, and Milan. And what happened to the flocks of Asian shopping tourists that have kept these cities’ economies going? So far, Europe’s major tourist-reliant cities have had dollar-wealthy Americans to thank for propping up their post-pandemic retail (and hospitality) economies. But the luxury sector is especially keen to get wealthy, brand-hungry overseas consumers back into their stores. …

Retail in Paris, London, and Milan Beset with ProblemsRead More

After all the troubles retailers have had to contend with post-pandemic, including supply chain snafus, store staff gone MIA, rising interest rates, and inflation hitting 40-year highs that cut shoppers’ ability to spend, there’s another challenge to contend with organized retail crime (ORC). Menacing Marauders Retail theft is no longer a nuisance where a watchful store employee can discourage a shoplifter. It’s become organized and increasingly violent with smash-and-grab mobs descending on stores to loot and pillage in near 9th-century …

Retail Thieves Leave Retailers Holding an Empty BagRead More

One would think that personal styling would fall by the wayside during a time of economic uncertainty. It seems like this would be particularly true for Gen Z who are known for their frugal, spare consumption and spending habits. They couldn’t possibly risk paying for multiple clothing items they won’t actually wear. And paying someone else to determine what they put on their bodies couldn’t possibly appeal to the pathologically unique digital generation. Right? Wrong. The #stylebundle hashtag became a Golden Ticket for next-gen …

Generation Z Entrepreneurs Highlight Style BundlesRead More

As sure as the leaves begin to change from their verdant summer hue into a medley of autumn gold, orange, and brown -- and as sure as the hum of jet-skis is replaced by that of the early morning growling of yellow Bluebird school buses, Fall will soon be upon us, and that means that school will soon be back in session. And for keen observers of retail, this means brushing up on the latest consumer engagement trends and themes that have been emerging in recent years, many of which promise to figure prominently in the months ahead. Of …

Ten Major Consumer Trends Will Dominate the RetailosphereRead More

Inflation is at its lowest point in more than a year – three percent in June, down from 9.1 percent in June 2022. Yet, the continuation of increased prices, albeit slight compared to a year ago, has consumers entering the Back-to-School season with an eye on price and value. Inflation Bites “Obviously, we see inflation coming down but brands are really going to have to identify new ways to entice these consumers to buy from them,” said Medallia’s Bill Staikos, senior vice president, executive advisory in an August webinar. “At some point, …

Cautious Consumers Driving Back-to-SchoolRead More

Forget the Metaverse, AI, self-driving cars, and aerial drone pizza delivery; there is an emerging movement among customers who are focusing on yesterday instead of tomorrow. If you think that brings to mind a bit of history from the industrial revolution—the Luddite movement—you would be right. There is an alignment between the original Luddites and growing concerns today about the tech revolution and its negative impact on human lives, livelihoods, mentality, social interaction—and even the future of humanity. Luddites Redux We are …

An Anti-Tech BacklashRead More

This is a story about a giant buck-toothed beaver, a forlorn legacy brand that is going to be reborn under new owners and a store format that was once more suited for mamouth diesel tractor-trailer trucks than families out for vacation. It’s also about a retail sector that has driven under the radar – literally – but is now emerging as a legitimate place for consumers to shop not just for gasoline and giant drinks, but apparel, home furnishings, gifts and just about anything else your local dollar store, convenience outlet or even discount …

The Reinvention of America’s Superhighway Gas StationsRead More