Today’s headlines about brick and mortar companies are troubling. Office Depot just announced it will close 400 stores. Radio Shack wants to close 1,100 stores but its lenders are resisting. Sears is looking to sell off chunks of its real estate. The prevailing wisdom of retailing strategy seems to be minimizing investment in brick and […]
My “brands to watch” post was such a hit last year, I thought I’d share who I will be keeping my eye on in 2014. Some of these brands are sure to grow in the coming year, the future of others is less certain – but I’m pretty sure we’ll be hearing a lot about […]
(This is a Brand Experience Brief — a video audit and analysis of a new or interesting restaurant or retail concept.) Walmart Neighborhood Market, a smaller format store, competes against dollar stores and grocery stores — it looks to me like they just might win the fight. Check it out: Brand Experience Brief: Walmart Neighborhood […]
My Black Friday was a bust! A big let-down from all the hoopla about doorbusters and flash sales — a complete disappointment. But more than a personal sob story, I think my experience holds some important lessons for retailers and e-tailers. […]
(This is the first installment of “brand experience briefs” — insights from my audits of new retail and restaurant concepts.) What: the Walmart.com store […]
Coming off the heels of what appears to have been a successful holiday sales season, optimism about how business will fare in the New Year is understandable. But I don’t feel comfortable making any specific predictions, so I think I’ll keep this my first post of 2011 a neutral one and simply outline five of […]