August 5, 2022 Here’s an interesting question: Will Macy’s and its Toys R Us partnership give discount stores a run for their money this holiday? With the iconic toy brand in every Macy’s store, the strategy combining nostalgia and convenience could be a home run. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they debate how Macy’s can deliver a better customer experience for families shopping for toys with the halo effect of its well-loved holiday traditions. It’s already starting with Macy’s toy sales 15 times higher in Q1, proving Toys R Us is paying off. Listen to this spirited conversation now!
August 1, 2022 Environmental impacts, demographic shifts in the U.S. market, and a consumer that wants to be more involved with a brand’s product development process are leading major brands to rethink inventory positions. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they dig into how mass customization (made to order) is refreshing the stale forecasting demand model for the fashion industry.
July 25, 2022 Big tech firms are getting greedy and make more profit every second than the median wage of a U.S. worker makes in a week. Are the big five – Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Google — becoming monopolies too big to handle? Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist as they debate how these tech titans use their muscle beyond Silicon Valley and play the talent game by outsourcing talent to save costs. Remote work has been a game-changer and plays into the hands of the big five to get even bigger.
July 15, 2022 Unions are making a comeback strengthened by a tight labor market, empowered workers, and the prospect of a recession. A more educated entry-level workforce is raising its voice for better working conditions and respect. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they look into why union-represented petitions are up 57% and Americans’ approval of labor unions is at an all-time since 1965.
July 8, 2022 Is BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) a better way to pay as a credit card replacement or just another payment option? The number of U.S. BNPL users will have soared from 1.6 million in 2018 to 59.3 million in 2022 with dozens of copycat startup companies opening weekly. But watch out! When the big guns with deep pockets –Mastercard, American Express, Visa, PayPal, and Apple Pay – make a bigger move into the space in a major way, it will blow those startups out of the water. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they discuss the finer details of a popular credit program that has already led next-gens into debt and may be facing stricter regulations to protect all consumers.
July 1, 2022 Amazon’s internal forecasting system is its secret weapon, but it has come back to bite with excess warehouse capacity and slowing demand. Leadership changes starting at the top, a wildly different management approach to the business, and many top executive exits leave Amazon in a state of transformation. The company is saying goodbye to physical stores except in the grocery sector as it manages through its slowest online growth period in years. Not to mention many callouts on its employment practices that have left the company far from its goal of earth’s best employer. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they pull back the curtain and weigh in on how CEO Andy Jassy is going to manage the behemoth out of its current mess.
June 24, 2022 Retailers over-forecasted inventory and supply doesn’t match consumer demand. It’s another perfect storm brewing. As rising food prices and historic high costs for fuel suck money out of the discretionary spending bucket, retailers will be left with even more unwanted inventory. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they debate how retailers can work their way through this crisis.
June 17, 2022 What’s the fate of ecomm subscription services? Sales are expected to grow by 15% in 2022, totaling $33.5 billion … but that’s only 3% of total retail ecom sales. And subscriptions may be facing consumer pushback; 40% say they just have too many. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, as they single out how the winners of the subscription business will have exclusive products and be convenient, making them relevant to loyal customers.
June 10, 2022 Gap Inc. is on its fifth CEO, and success still seems elusive. Ever since Mickey Drexler left, it’s been the same story: not so hot. The well-intentioned BODEQUALITY strategic initiative for inclusive sizing failed in execution with Old Navy taking a sales nosedive. Gap’s peer, American Eagle Outfitter had a $32 million profit in Q1 2022. What’s going on here? Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR chief strategist, as they pull back the curtain on Gap’s failed quest for infinite growth.
June 3, 2022 How do consumers trust? There’s been a major shift in customer behavior as a result of the pandemic. Transparency, authenticity, and relevance are table stakes. Sustainability resonates highly with consumers who are concerned about microplastics and water and want brand commitment to circularity. Join Robin Lewis and Shelley E. Kohan, TRR’s chief strategist, with guest expert Kim Kitchings, Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing for Cotton Incorporated as they discuss the latest findings on what consumers expect from brands and how recent research reveals how brands can build confidence with their most critical stakeholders.
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