Chris Walton

Hello Retail Friends,   I cannot stress enough how important fresh products are to grocery retailers. When it comes to inventory planning, “point solutions” that lack end-to-end integration and only address store-level planning simply are not enough!   Retailers need proven, multi-echelon planning solutions that extend beyond the store - unifying, automating, and optimizing planning in stores, DCs, and omnichannel. This is the only way to get crucial visibility and insight across the end-to-end value chain.   https://lnkd.in/ej53RsFV #supplychain #grocery #freshproduce How to improve retail fresh food inventory management | RELEX Solutions Tackle fresh food inventory management challenges head-on with the right strategies and robust planning software. www.relexsolutions.comhas context menuCompose

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BRILLIANT RESEARCH: Five 2024 Holiday Shopping Predictions https://lnkd.in/emwXStw7  Holiday shopping will look different for retailers this year.  After remaining largely resilient throughout four years of economic uncertainty, consumers are finally feeling the pinch.  Nearly a third of global shoppers (32%) reported using alternative credit services like buy now, pay later (BNPL) more frequently this year #retail Digital Commerce 360

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This new tool merges strategic insights and customer perceptions seamlessly, offering actionable solutions that can reshape how retailers handle their value proposition at the store level. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gcaCYM8j #dunnhumby #customerfirst

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Key EMARKETER stat: 61% of US adults value loyalty programs that are tailored to their shopping preferences, according to a March 2024 Bizrate Insights survey. Beyond the chart: Consumer data is key to creating a more personalized experience for consumers. Gen Z consumers are the most comfortable giving brands their personal data for an improved experience, while baby boomers are the least comfortable, according to a September 2023 survey from Vanson Bourne. AI tools can help brands analyze and apply consumer insights. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of US digital retailers believe that AI-driven personalization and generative AI will affect their business the most in 2024, per a December 2023 survey from Bolt. #loyaltyprograms #personalization

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Target is linking up with global commerce platform Shopify to bring customers even more choices when they shop Target.com. The retailer will offer a selection of Shopify’s popular merchants and products through Target Plus, its third-party digital marketplace. A thoughtfully chosen assortment of on-trend products and brands, like True Classic apparel and kids and baby clothier Caden Lane, will now be available through Target Plus. Additionally, U.S.-based Shopify merchants can apply to sell on Target Plus through Marketplace Connect, which is an app that enables merchants to sell and manage orders on leading marketplaces, including Target Plus. Furthering the partnership, Target will also become the first mass retailer to offer select Shopify merchants’ products in its physical stores in the coming months. | Progressive Grocer https://lnkd.in/gSSgNNwq #retail #supermarkets #grocery #Target #shoppers #brands #ecommerce

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According to GlobalData, the U.S. secondhand apparel market grew 11%, or seven times faster than the broader retail apparel market, to $43 billion last year. The report estimates that resale sales online and at traditional thrift stores could reach $73 billion by 2028. #resale #retail #apparel #retailsales

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Hello Retail friends, “Phantom inventory” sounds like a scary term – and for good reason. It refers to goods that appear available in inventory systems but are physically missing from the shelves. The result? Lost sales, frustrated customers, and distorted demand forecasts. The good news is there is a better way, by using predictive inventory. This is a technology that leverages machine learning to identify inventory inaccuracies, improving the accuracy of automatic replenishment. It also helps retailers identify inventory gaps and their impacts on the business. It’s a powerful way to leverage modern AI and machine learning in the retail supply chain. We’ve got an entire webinar coming up about this - in the meantime read all about it, and sign up for the webinar, here: #machinelearning #ai #retail #futureofretail

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Delighted to see my co written article with Deena Pitzele of The Partnering Group covered by Store Brands. As we look at Walmart launch of #bettergoods and unpick some of our view on the strategy behind the aspiration of achieving a $3b brand and ~300 lines. Is it to target new customers from competitive retailers such as Trader Joe's and Kroger or having seen how the #ukretailers and #australianretailers built their different strategies to combat the aggressive growth of Aldi UK and ALDI Stores Australia in the market, the start of their strategy focusing on the growth go ALDI USA #privatebrands #privatelabel #retail #usaretail #groceryretail #ownbrand #customerfocused #foodanddrink #growthstrategy #discounter #ukretail #australianretail #brandstrategy #productinnovation #consulting Greg Sleter Prof. Consulting Group Deena Pitzele (PLMA) Private Label Manufacturers Association Australia / New Zealand Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) https://lnkd.in/e7gqA_HQ

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Hello Retail Friends,   It’s no secret that supply chains have faced unprecedented disruption and volatility in recent years, underscoring the need to address vulnerabilities, improve preparedness, and create innovative strategies.   We surveyed 285 retail, CPG, and wholesale leaders globally in February 2024, exploring the challenges, strategic investment areas, and opportunities for retailers and CPGs over the next 3-5 years.   See how retail and CPG executives are tackling these challenges and planning for the future in our report, State of Supply Chain 2024: Retail and CPG Dynamics.     https://lnkd.in/eQQVdNmN     #supplychain #businesstransformation #supplychainplanning

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Dear Retail Friends,   If you’re a wholesaler, access to data from suppliers and retail customers is critical in enabling optimal service levels with minimal inventory. But getting that data, and acting upon it, can be challenging.   While there are many hurdles to this kind of collaboration, it can be done. And the benefits are numerous – not just for wholesalers, but their suppliers and retail customers as well.   https://lnkd.in/dbxub36v   #supplychain #supplychainoptimization #wholesaledistribution The future of wholesale supply chain collaboration | RELEX Solutions Unlock insights on boosting wholesale collaboration for supply chain efficiency and profit in this expert interview.

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At this point we've all heard of “shrinkflation,” but a new trend is now facing the #grocery and #retail sectors that marks a significant shift in the way we approach retail marketing and pricing strategies. “Upflation” aims to reclaim sales by introducing innovative uses for existing products -- at premium prices. Confession: I don't know how they're different, but I do love the dog wipes for my beloved canine :)   Upflation is more than just a pricing strategy; it's a response to changing #consumer preferences, where cost-consciousness and a desire for value are paramount. Great reporting by Bloomberg’s Leslie Patton and Deena Shanker about a topic we should all be keeping a close eye on:    https://lnkd.in/dhkhC-sN  

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Private brands are on 🔥. Great way for #retailers to differentiate themselves at great prices. Some of my favorite items have been new sparkling water flavors, gummy vitamins and value add mix items such as veggies and bowls. Suppliers can use private label as an opportunity to test, learn and grow their business while complimenting their own brands. #grocery #privatebrands #innovation Mana Foods

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💡Insights on In-Store Shrinkage Impact & Strategies! Brands weigh in on mitigating shrinkage: • Evolving Display Strategies: Investments to combat shrinkage. • Marketing Opportunities: Uncovered through security investments, like Lowe's. • Enhanced Inventory Management: Leveraging retail broker partners. Curious for more insights? Let's talk! #RetailStrategies #ShrinkageMitigation #GetWiser

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Since 2019, Kohl's sales have shrunk by $2.3 billion. That’s a pretty terrible number given consumer spending on retail rose by a dramatic $1.3 trillion over the same period.     The Kohl’s losses are a combination of existing customers spending less and the complete defection of some shoppers. Over the past five years, Kohl’s has lost 1.3 million customers: people who used to visit Kohl’s, but now they don’t. Most of these folks still buy things so it’s interesting to see where they’re now shopping, or shopping more at, instead of Kohl’s. The diagram below traces the defections. The most notable thing is the gains being made by off-price retailers. TJX – with its TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods banners – is picking up a lot of trade. Ross, Nordstrom Rack, and Burlington are also in the mix. It’s no wonder off-price is doing so well when it’s gaining so many customers from chains like Kohl’s. What’s also notable is that online specialists don’t dominate. Amazon has picked up some trade, as has Wayfair, but neither are the main beneficiaries of Kohl’s woes. This underscores that the very simplistic narrative of ‘online killed…” is often far from the truth. It is also significant that Costco makes an appearance. Costco is a silent assassin. Many retailers don’t have it on the radar for non-food; but the reality is that Costco has a formidable non-food business. Retailers like Kohl’s don’t underperform because one large enemy comes in and swoops away all the custom. Their substantial loss of trade comes from many players nibbling away at their sales and market share. #retail #retailnews #departmentstores #wholesale #shoppers

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Great Bloomberg op-ed on why investing in retail store leaders is good for business. I love Andrea’s callout that big investments can raise eyebrows with analysts – like increasing our average Walmart store manager salary to $128,000/year with a new bonus program that gives store managers the potential to earn up to 200% of their base salary. But in the long run, she shows how these types of investments support retention, career growth, better run stores, strong stock value, and our ability to attract a broader range of customers.   Here are a couple of studies that stood out to me in Andrea’s piece: 💠 A 2012 study by Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at the London Business School (then at Wharton School), found that firms on Fortune’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work for in America,” which have superior employee satisfaction scores on factors including pay and benefits, outperformed peers by 2.3-3.8% per year from 1984 through 2011. 💠 A follow-up study by Hamid Boustanifar, associate professor at the EDHEC Business School, and Young Dae Kang of the Bank of Korea found that the relationship still held: companies on the publication’s list earned an excess return of 2-2.7% per year through 2020, with particular outperformance during tough times.   At the end of the day, these investments also support the ability to build a pipeline of strong talent that stays and grows with a company. We want Walmart to be seen as an employer of choice and pay plays a big part in how we attract and retain talented people. #Compensation #TeamWalmart https://lnkd.in/gPVdAYG4

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Kohl’s Corp. has partnered with Instacart to offer same-day delivery from all of its 1,172 U.S. stores. Customers can now receive Kohl’s merchandise in as little as an hour through Instacart, with pricing matching in-store prices and the ability to accumulate Kohl’s Rewards. Kohl’s is categorized as an Apparel & Accessories retailer by Digital Commerce 360 and offers a variety of products, including home decor, skin care, and pet items, all available through Instacart. Kohl’s is No. 23 in the Top 1000. The database is Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of the largest North American online retailers Kohl’s Corp. reported net sales declined in both its fourth quarter and fiscal 2023 ended Feb. 3, 2024. Q4 net sales declined 1.1% to $5.7 billion, despite an extra week of trading this year compared to Q4 2022. Kohl’s saw growth in net income. Online sales declined 10% in the quarter but improved as the quarter progressed, with December and January sales only down "mid-single digits" year over year. Instacart's partnership with Kohl’s is part of a series of agreements with retailers, including Hy-Vee and Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG), to offer same-day delivery and expand delivery capacity. Additionally, Instacart announced a partnership with Uber to deliver Uber Eats orders to Instacart customers. #kohl's #instacart #samedaydelivery

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Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Brick&Mortar stores have never seemed so important, to E-commerce and now Direct-To-Consumer Brands. #brickmortar #ecommerce #DTC With 85% of retail sales happening in a physical store! As the omnichannel retail experience grows it becomes seamless. #omnichannelretail Now DTC brands want a piece of that retail pie. #brandexperience They see opportunities, Warby Parker envisions a 900 store chain! #warbyparker #everlane #untuckit #burrow #glossier Beware: there’s one catch, expanding into physical retail is challenging and expensive. ☠️ Not that expenses or profitability has ever slowed down WAYFAIR (Financial Wizard). This e-commerce furniture leader, is producing $12 Billion Dollars in sales. A darling of Wall Street. #wayfair #furniture #sales #expenses #profitability So a big congratulations to Wayfair’s new 150,000 sq ft mega store opening this week in the Chicago market. I’m convinced it will be spectacular, exciting, emotional, entertaining and compelling through merchandise. Just not profitable! (Sneak peak in the comments) #congratulations #chicago #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #shoppingexperience #furnitureindustry #homedecor #wallstreet #topretailexperts

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Today’s results from Kohl's are dismal. They show a company that remains in freefall at a time when most other retailers are at least maintaining their elevation. A 5.3% decline in overall sales, underpinned by a 4.4% decline in comparables, is way worse than the market which, across the categories Kohl’s sells, grew by 2.9% over the quarter. This is the third year in which first quarter sales have declined. And, compared to the same period in 2019, sales are down by a sharp 16.8%. In cash terms, this means Kohl’s has lost $643 million in revenue. Unfortunately, the problems on the sales line are now filtering through to the bottom line where last year’s modest profit of $14 million has been replaced with a $27 million loss. Kohl’s management team says a lot of the right things around merchandising and the essentials of retail. However, not much has changed on the shop floor, which is one of the reason why Kohl's continues to lose customers on top of the 1.5 million it lost over the past five years. Thanks to The Wall Street Journal for including my comments in the article linked in the comments.... #retail #retailnews #departmentstores #trading #KSS

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