Some things never change; I’ve been in the retail business for over 40 years and worker dissension is nothing new. But who’s making all the noise has. Unions are back; organizing is in. Jaz Brisack organized a Starbucks in Buffalo; she was a Rhodes scholar. Chris Smalls had no college education at all but organized Amazon workers in the Staten Island warehouse and is moving onto the national scene. (He got a cover story in New York Magazine, too). This new crop of organizers sees opportunities everywhere, and those companies that prided …
Management
What Should Revlon Do to Save Itself?
Revlon Odd Fellows If ever there were a weirder fit with Revlon’s already quirky portfolio of brands, I can’t imagine what could top the fact that it owns the global fragrance rights for AllSaints. The edgy, Goth-y contemporary fashion line, established in 1994 in East London and evenly balanced in its offerings for both men and women, is very cool and decidedly not mainstream. So, you can imagine my surprise when I spotted AllSaints in the “About Revlon” section of the June 16 press release announcing that the legendary beauty behemoth …
Under Duress, Amazon Cuts Back on Its Copycats
Back in the day we called them “knockoffs.” For example, brick-and-mortar retailers would copy a brand’s best-seller summer dress and design a near duplicate for their own private labels. This still goes on, with just enough differentiation to avoid counterfeit status (street vendors selling “Rolexes” and “Louis Vuitton” bags notwithstanding). In China, however, where the word counterfeit does not exist (metaphorically), many manufacturers view “copying” as a compliment to the item’s originator. So, with today’s pragmatic Chinese menu, you get …
Walmart Fashion: No Longer an Oxymoron
As recently as five years ago, I would have said that Walmart fashion is an oxymoron. Denise Incandela joined the value behemoth in 2017 and is now Executive Vice President, Apparel and General Merchandise Private Brands, Walmart U.S. From that moment on, I knew it was the beginning of fashion’s ascendance for Walmart. She has made a remarkable impact on Walmart fashion over the past five years. Incandela Ascendant Incandela’s stints in senior positions at Saks Inc., Ralph Lauren, and CEO of Aerosoles represented the kind of leadership …
Taking a Stand Has Become a Necessity
The much-debated Disney versus DeSantis blow-up – the one in which one of America’s most beloved brands came into the crosshairs of Florida Governor and 2024 GOP Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis over the Florida measure that critics have dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law – has brought into bas-relief an undercurrent that has been brewing for some time: the politicization of Big Business. And for retail brands that stand on the frontlines between consumers and Corporate America, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Wake-Up Calls To be clear, the …
The RH Factor Goes Contemporary
The rap against RH was that it was a one-trick pony, with just a single design look that wouldn’t allow it to grow beyond a limited base. With the introduction of its new RH Contemporary program this month – which may become its single largest collection ever – you can’t say that anymore. RH Contemporary is the long-awaited addition to the upscale home furnishing retailer’s assortment, a massive collection that consumes 320 pages of a virtual catalog that will is now joined by a print version that just dropped. Gary Friedman, the impresario …
The Good News and Bad News for Kohl’s
In the middle of the barrage of acquisitors for Kohl’s, I wrote Two Real Estate Moguls. Note to Kohl’s: Repel, Repel, Repel. At the time, it was based on my belief that either of the two suitors -- Simon Properties and HBC -- would ultimately turn Kohl’s into a real estate move. David Simon, CEO of Simon Properties, and Richard Baker, CEO of the Hudson Bay Company, both became billionaires, not because of their retail acumen. They were, and still are mega-wealthy based on their brilliant abilities to unlock the value of retail real estate under …
Leadership’s Three States of Grace
Leaders of organizations fall into three categories: pontificators, remediators and transformers. Pontificators Pontificators spend much of their time opining as to their past triumphs and important experiences which enabled them to ascend to the throne they are perched upon. They sermonize often, surrounded by acolytes who affirm their authority and wisdom. They preside over their organizations but have long ago given up the responsibility for actually leading them. They occupy the podium at town halls, introducing, then passing the …