Home Depot leads the show, after they release not only earnings but some interesting merchandising initiatives for their outdoor product lines. We also discuss the new Amazon Go Grocery store and Lumber Liquidators’ year-end earnings report. Our interview guest is Alex Barseghian, author and former head of retail for Blackhawk Network, who joins us to discuss the current state of gift cards in retail and some developments to keep a watchful eye on over the next year-plus.

Retail Focus 3/1/20 – Home Depot Gears Up for Spring; the State of Gift Cards in Retail

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Our interview guest is Lupine Skelly, Deloitte’s Retail, Wholesale, and Distribution Research Leader. She joins the show to discuss Deloitte’s 2023 retail industry outlook, which features input from major retail executives—themes include handling a more price-sensitive consumer, durable goods sales, and continued concerns surrounding supply chain. In news, Sam’s Club shifts back into brick-and-mortar growth mode by revealing news for new stores, Sherwin-Williams overcomes shortages, and food economists’ outlook on the price of eggs.
The full Deloitte 2023 outlook may be accessed here: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/retail-distribution-industry-outlook.html

Retail Focus 1/30/23 – Sam’s Club Reveals Expansion Plans; Retail Executives’ Outlook for 2023

Our interview guest is Richard Jones, Chief Revenue Officer at Wunderkind. He joins the show to discuss the advertising and marketing landscape for retailers in 2023—and how digital spending and marketing content may change or adjust based on consumer habits. In news, Albertsons posts better-than-expected sales numbers and sees a massive jump in loyalty members. Additionally, we look ahead to two retailers potentially on the verge of declaring bankruptcy in the near future.

Retail Focus 1/16/23 – Looking at Retail Ad Spend & Strategy; Albertsons Beats Estimates

Our interview guest is Katie Gilsenan, senior trends manager at GWI, who joins the show to discuss retail trends for 2023, consumer motivations in the new year, and which categories might see a lift in tight economic times. In news, CBRE issues guidance regarding retail real estate trends and how they may impact both retailers and their physical spaces, and we look at “dark” Amazon Fresh locations.

Retail Focus 1/3/23 – Retail Trends in the Year Ahead; CBRE Issues Retail Real Estate Guidance

Our interview guest is Kristina Rogers, EY Global Consumer Leader. She joins the show to discuss EY’s 11th Future Consumer Index, and broadly, what the 2023 retail consumer will look like as far as decision-making, demand, and outlook on personal finances. In news, we get a look at early numbers from the 2022 holiday shopping season, and preview what could be a busy 2023 in shoe retail through the lens of DSW and Nike.

Retail Focus 12/26/22 – The 2023 Retail Consumer; Holiday Shopping Numbers Begin to Arrive

Our interview guest is Randy Mercer, VP of Global Products at 1WorldSync. He joins the show to discuss the process behind getting effective product content to retailers, and the role that good product descriptions play in reducing returns from digital channel sales. In news, we briefly touch on lululemon’s outstanding quarter before looking at Chewy’s autoship success and fulfillment center strides that have improved margins and shipping distances despite lower hard good sales.

Retail Focus 3/1/20 – Home Depot Gears Up for Spring; the State of Gift Cards in Retail

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