I’ve been working with a major retail brand and my engagement has included an audit and assessment of retail best practices. Although most of my work is proprietary, I wanted to share some of my findings here because I’ve found some really interesting patterns. (more…)
Ever since the phrase “you manage what you measure” made its way into the dialogue of corporate America, metrics have played an increasingly important role in the management of businesses. 
No one can argue the value of timely, detailed, and accurate measures of performance as assessments of effectiveness and guides for decision-making. Yet, which metrics are best remains highly debatable.
Recently several manufacturers have announced that they are initiating an e-commerce business. I’m not sure of the motivations behind these moves but it seems to be a growing trend. Although many manufacturers have been offering direct sales for many years through their own e-commerce sites, it seems we’re seeing a new surge of interest in doing so from players who have historically shunned the idea.
Last Sunday’s New York Times included a piece, “At MoMA, ‘Permanent’ Learns to Be Flexible.” 
It outlined how the museum’s new chief curator of painting and sculpture, Ann Temkin, is challenging the rules of museum display. In the piece, I found some instructive parallels for struggling retailers. (more…)
Congratulations to Jon Galloway, the winner 
of the “vote for the best blogpost” celebration I held to mark the 1-year anniversary of my blog!
Jon voted for “don’t go changin’ to try to please them,” a post I had written about why brands shouldn’t go chasing after customers. Jon explains his choice:
This really resonated with me since I’ve seen this mistake made so many times from a product development point of view: (more…)
New formats of existing retail brands seem to be popping up all over the place. Best Buy Mobile 
(more…)
One of Harvard Business Review’s 
pieces on marketing in these tough economic times left me feeling ambivalent. In “Five Rules for Retailing in a Recession,” the authors outline how retailers can discover that “a larger universe of growth and productivity opportunities is open to them than they might believe.” (more…)
Jonathan Salem Baskin recently posted an “open memo to Blockbuster’s 
agency” (DDB Entertainment) congratulating them on their recent win of the account — and warning them that their client’s CEO plan to “transform the Blockbuster brand into an entertainment provider” is doomed. (more…)
In the ongoing war that wages between retailers and manufacturers, manufacturers often threaten to abandon (or at least de-emphasize) the existing channel and open their own direct business. Liz Claiborne
, the mid-tier womens fashion label, (more…)
Last week, Interbrand Design Forum the retail arm of the global consultancy of the same name released The Most Valuable U.S. Retail Brands 2009 report 
and it is a must-read for anyone who wants insights into the retail sector. (more…)