I will state my opinion right up front. I believe Richard Baker's move to split the Saks Fifth Avenue and its ecommerce business into separate companies, which he calls "unlocking value," is simply applying a fancy buzzword, disguising what will ultimately lead to a real estate play. The reality is somewhere, way down deep in his real estate DNA, he clearly sees his personal cash-generating machine where it always has been -- in real estate. So, don't fall for unlocking value in the retail enterprise as a strategy to improve and accelerate the …
The Future of Air
First, a Word from Robin Lewis While we typically choose articles more directly related to the major events of the day occurring in retail and related industries, this article is so important because it informs us about one of our largest future threats, hidden in plain sight. I say hidden because we, as a retail industry, prefer it to stay hidden, or better, just go away. The critical concern about the environment, sustainability, etc. and so forth, are profoundly brought together in this article, sending a powerful wake-up call to focus on …
Betting Big on Going Bigger
The other afternoon on Dateline White House on MSNBC, Nicole Wallace mused with a female guest about what will happen when they can go outside again. Their consensus: They need elastic-banded pants. Their knowing smiles suggest we all will expand our wardrobes. After a year of relying on figure forgiving leggings, t-shirts and hoodies, entering the once and future world of wardrobes frozen in the amber glow of our year-ago closets may come as yet another shock to our already traumatized selves. Yet it must be said, our year of living Covidly …
Implementing Agility
This is part two of a two-part series. Part one can be found here. Being Agile in your mindset and methodology doesn’t need to involve massive organizational upheaval (Microsoft managed it in a year!). There are four core steps any retailer can follow to drive Agile performance and start reaping the rewards in months, not years. The Four Steps to Running Agile Stores 1. Prioritize Actions From: Lots of reports and spreadsheets, which are ignored/forgotten The role of managers as disconnected backroom analysts The diminished …
Activist Pirates Attack Kohl’s
I've seen this horrible movie before with one notable actor leading the attack on Children's Place in 2015. Johnathan Duskin, CEO Macellum Advisors GP, is apparently leading the sequel, "Activist Pirates Attack Kohl's," along with Legion Partners Holdings, Ancora Advisors and 4010 Capital, (with an equity position of just under 10 percent). They are determined to replace five board seats (down from nine) ostensibly to drive cost cutting, including executive pay packages. The activists also want to boost revenues and margins through better …
So, You Think You Know Ikea?
If you continue to think of Ikea as that Swedish -- or is it Finnish? -- retailer with those humungous stores on the outskirts of town, lightweight furniture with funny names that is often difficult to put together...and the home to tasty little meatballs, you might want to rethink that opinion. Swedish Export Over the past several years the Swedish retailer -- and yes, they are from Sweden -- has undergone a remarkable transformation that has put it in the forefront of not only progressive retailing but also progressive thinking when it …
Drugs, Wellbeing and Finance
Last month the broader retail world applauded two of the nation's largest drugstore chains when they moved women into senior management roles. The gender divide rooted in the tradition of the male pharmacist's early 20th century small-town location was finally overcome. Up to now, male leadership of beauty, OTC and first aid products was skewed and often curiously inept. The drugstore has made huge strides and taken major steps forward in the interest of female empowerment. One could argue that female management has more empathy and …
MOTIF Rewire 2021: An Intervention for Fashion
Sustainable business practices have evolved from a slogan to a purpose. MOTIF Rewire 2021 hosted a global sustainability event for the fashion apparel/retail industry to advocate for thinking disruptively, creatively and differently. Janice Wang, Chair of the Board, MOTIF & CEO, of Alvanon states emphatically, “Cleaning up the fashion industry is everyone’s job. Everyone must play a part in this whole journey. We must share our knowledge, no one person can do it all.” Wang has a poignant message for veterans and newbies alike: …