Spieckerman Speaks Retail

Retailers and brands are spreading their wings as pandemic-era dynamics accelerate demand for differentiation and scale. Online marketplace expansion, private brand proliferation, and retailer-to-retailer hookups are powering retail’s latest brand boom and even though options abound, caution is called for. In this episode, Carol tracks her hottest retail trajectories and retail’s latest retail headlines to break down the brand action.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why online marketplaces are a growing brand gateway

How scale-builders and curators will drive digital expansion

Why private brands are powerful category-killers in the COVID era

How frenemy forays are lowering brands’ resistance to down-market deals

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Wholesale relationships have fueled retail for decades, yet brands like Nike and Under Armour are starting to show the hand to intermediaries. Even retailers are getting in on the game as agile alternatives beckon. In this episode, Carol explores the origins leading to the curtailing of wholesale and why retail is evolving beyond traditional collaborative models. She gives her take on the best candidates for pulling off a pull-back and what it all means to retailers, suppliers, and solution providers.

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Call it thought leadership, know-how, or just retail smarts. Many supplier’s dirty little secret is that it’s missing, and deep down they know that’s a problem! Retail imposter syndrome is a common complaint and once it sets in, it can seem easier to pitch your products and solutions along with everyone else and call it a day. But why would you give up your biggest edge without a fight? In this episode, Carol reveals a simple technique for weaving retail thought leadership into your marketing and business development process, and why you owe it to your business to do it.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How to message retail smarts in four words or fewer

Why delaying your pitch is a perfect play

How to become a retail authority without the exhaustion

How setting the landscape will send your competitors packing

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
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If the normal rules of retail applied, this would be the time to look back on 2020 and decide what to keep, toss, or tweak. But of course, 2020 was no normal year. Despite the chaos, it wasn’t all gloom and doom and those that made it through emerged stronger than ever. As we hurl past one of the most disruptive years in retail history, and before we get too far into the promise of a new chapter, Carol reveals her 8 retail resolutions for retailers, brand marketers, and solution providers, with takeaways for navigating 2021 like a boss.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How “delusions of brandeur” can block your success

Why keeping your frenemies close makes sense now

Why champions of choice hold the winning hand

How to spread your wings without playing “scattergories"

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Retailers dug deep and found their courage this year. Some were pushed as COVID-19 escalated while others took initiative early-on. Either way, none had to go it alone. Retailers’ in-house capabilities and acquired assets are being augmented by a slew of third-party providers. The insular, less-is-more approaches of retail’s past are being replaced by collective effort, expansive outreach, and dynamic decision-making. That’s great news for suppliers and solution providers that play well with others and master the art of portfolio positioning. In this episode, Carol gives the rundown on the proliferation of portfolio approaches across retail and how to shift your strategy to take full advantage.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why winner-takes-all is a losing game
• The three pillars of portfolio positioning
• How strugglers and strivers will accelerate acquisitions
• Why brand exclusives are so 2005

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
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We all know that this has been year like no other, yet unprecedented disruption has sparked new thinking and awakened ingenuity. Carol’s guest is uniquely qualified to bring much-needed perspective on lessons learned and best practices going forward. Courtney Hawkins’ passion for retail started early and she has since been responsible for over $1.5 billion in P&L as she served in executive roles with iconic brands like Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic and now, as VP of retail for fashion innovator The RealReal. In this far-ranging interview, Courtney and Carol roll through pivotal developments encompassing bricks and clicks and Courtney shares advice for retailers and brands seeking to secure their place in the new retail era.

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
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As retailers re-imagine brick and mortar, stores are once again at the center of the action. But what about the people who power the action, store associates? They can get left out of the conversation as technology and automation grab attention, yet these front-line workers are critical to retailers’ success across every channel. Carol’s guest is passionate about acknowledging and encouraging store workers and he’s written an important book to fulfill that commitment. Ron Thurston is the author of Retail Pride: The Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career, a labor of love that pulls together Ron’s years of experience developing store teams for top brands like Apple, West Elm, Tory Burch, St. Laurent and now, as VP of stores for INTERMIX. In this interview episode, Ron and Carol discuss what it takes for retail workers to own their contributions and careers and how retail leaders can motivate brick and mortar teams during challenging times.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

·       The three pillars of retail expertise

·       Why shifting from accidental to intentional changes everything

·       Tactics for motivating store teams and messaging that they matter

·       How to merge high tech and high touch without upsetting the balance

Contact information:

www.retailpride.com

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
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Cross-border commerce is heating up! Chinese consumers want unfettered access to authentic and unique brands and according to recent studies, 43% are confident about an economic recovery occurring next year. Joe Crawford is the U.S. president and co-founder of Avocado, a soon-to-be-launched digital platform and app that promises to unlock the opportunity. In this interview episode, Carol and Joe discuss how the Avocado app will remove hurdles to U.S. brands getting noticed, increasing engagement, and selling to Chinese consumers.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

·       Why authenticity counts with Chinese consumers

·       Which lifestyle categories are driving differentiation

·       Why “West is best” approaches fall flat

·       How to stand out as global online marketplaces proliferate

Guest contact information:

Joe Crawford email [email protected]

Website: www.theavocadoapp.com

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
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Check out more of Carol's retail insights and updates
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Retailers are expanding into new business models and launching new formats. They are augmenting their platforms through acquisitions and partnerships. Diversification is retail’s future growth engine and suppliers that get on board will reap rewards. In this final installment in Carol’s 8 Mistakes Suppliers Can’t Make series, she outlines new strategies for expanding alongside your retail partners and shares case studies that illuminate best practices. There’s never been a better time to expand your vision!

In this episode you’ll learn:

•        Which two tactics will power retail expansion

•        Why you must diversify your distribution before it’s too late

•        How to reframe your case studies to drive diversification

•        Why multi-format mojo should be your mandate

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
Contact [email protected]
Check out more of Carol's retail insights and updates
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Retailers have never had more options at their disposal, including building brands, solutions, and services in-house. Retail suppliers must continually demonstrate value to earn a seat at the table. In the latest installment of her series 8 Mistakes Suppliers Can’t Make, Carol reveals findings from her survey of top retail leaders. She distills retailers’ insights and advice on supplier pitfalls and integrates relevant retail trajectories to prepare your teams for opportunities in 2021 and beyond. Are you ready to hear from the source? 

In this episode you’ll learn:

•                Three mega-mistakes that retailers want you to stop making

•                How ignoring retailers’ platform power weakens your prospects

•                Why culture counts (but you’ve got to get it right)

•                Easy habits that will get you noticed and give you favor 

Want to be a guest on Spieckerman Speaks Retail?
Contact [email protected]
Check out more of Carol's retail insights and updates
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