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Strategy

A New Age of Curated Retail

By Kate Newlin   |   October 11, 2022

One of the most often-referenced terms of the early years of this century is “disintermediation.” It is so frequently used it acquired its own Oxford Dictionary definition: “The reduction in the use of intermediaries between producers and consumers, for example by investing directly in the securities market rather than through a bank.” Since its early days in the financial markets, the term moved through the warp and woof of the economy, creating a kaleidoscopic new fabric. Intermediaries Yes Virginia, there really was a world populated …

A New Age of Curated RetailRead More

Patagonia: Conscious Capitalism

By Robin Lewis   |   September 28, 2022

I’m offering yet another report on Patagonia that I’m tossing into the ring, now full of one adulatory article or broadcast interview after another. However hesitant I was to follow lemming-like this cascade of applause for Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard, I believe there are not even enough lemmings in the world to drive home the fact that he authentically “walks the walk.” His donation of his entire $3 billion business to planet Earth is not only unprecedented, but also a powerful example of how capitalism can thrive while simultaneously …

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Walmart Accelerates the Fashion Journey

By Robin Lewis   |   September 14, 2022

Walmart is making fashion a priority. The strategy is to pursue niche DTC brands, and primarily those that have appeal for younger, higher-income consumers. According to an Insider article, DTC brands like Harry’s, Casper, Olly, and Quip all chose to debut in big-box retail at Target. Even though Target has a smaller footprint, their customer base is wealthier, and Target focuses on design with dedicated teams for emerging brands. Image Reset Unlike Target, Walmart’s image has always been the quintessential everyday lower price model. …

Walmart Accelerates the Fashion JourneyRead More

Printemps Sets Sites on Lower Manhattan

By Warren Shoulberg   |   September 12, 2022

The concept of the global retailer has been pretty much a mixed bag with a wildly uneven success rate. With the exception of the occasional Ikea or Starbucks, many retailing companies have been unable to export their business model outside their home country. And this has worked in pretty much every direction: from Europe and Asia to the United States and in reverse. Which is why the recent news that fabled French department store Printemps is planning to open its first American store in 2024 in New York City is so intriguing. As one of the …

Printemps Sets Sites on Lower ManhattanRead More

The New Reality of Renting Where You Live

By Warren Shoulberg   |   September 7, 2022

Remember the old days – actually just a few years ago – when you went to rent an apartment and you usually spoke to a landlord or, in a city, even the super (technically a superintendent) and it was pretty basic. If you rented a single-family house, you often dealt directly with the homeowner herself. Welcome to the new reality of renting. Today nearly 25 percent of all the single-family homes in America are owned by investors, sometimes aspiring Airbnb entrepreneurs but more likely giant real estate companies like Blackstone. In fact, …

The New Reality of Renting Where You LiveRead More

New Chinese Proverb: Make Low Fast, Sell High Faster

By Robin Lewis   |   August 31, 2022

Shein (pronounced shee-in), the China based sizzling hot, (or should I say way cool), fast-fashion brand is transcending Zara, who created the model a couple decades ago. According to Statista, Zara is still ranked first in number of stores worldwide, (about 4500), with H&M second, (about 2500), and revenues of about $12.9 billion for Zara and about $12.5 billion for H&M. But Shein caught my attention big-time. Shein’s Astounding Growth So, what’s the big deal? First, since Shein is a private company, it has been estimated that …

New Chinese Proverb: Make Low Fast, Sell High FasterRead More

A New World Order for Retail

By Sarah Holbrook   |   May 22, 2022

The retail industry has been a major beneficiary of the waves of globalization iterations in recent decades. We have optimized our supply chains, barely raised prices in years, and consumers have rewarded retailers by buying far more than they need, sometimes shedding goods in a Marie Kondo inspired purge, only to go out and buy more and more stuff. Until now. Early in the pandemic, consumers experienced a shift in the staples system as our Costco, normally dense with Lysol Wipes or buffeted by mountains of toilet paper packs, became …

A New World Order for RetailRead More

Wayfair Is Getting Physical…Finally

By Warren Shoulberg   |   March 14, 2022

Call it omnichannel. Call it platform neutral. Call it be-where-your-customer-is. Whatever you call it, calling it late is a very risky business strategy indeed. And that is the position Wayfair, the big online home furnishings retailer, finds itself in today as it begins – FINALLY – the arduous, time-laden and incredibly expensive process of opening physical stores. After dabbling in a test or two, a couple of pop-ups, and a wing and prayer, Wayfair will open at least three stores under two of its sub-brands this year followed by a …

Wayfair Is Getting Physical…FinallyRead More

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Copyright © 2023 · Robin Lewis, Inc. All rights reserved. Copying or reproducing, by any means whatsoever, of The Robin Report, or any distribution hereof, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Robin Lewis, Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Robin Report is published for senior executives in the retail, fashion, beauty, consumer products and related industries. The opinions expressed herein are not, and should not be construed as investment or other advice. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice.