Merchandising

Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Brand Expanding Into Menswear
October 25, 2023 at 3:45 pm

The shapewear brand SKIMS announced it is debuting a men's line with apparel such as briefs, boxers, tanks and tees on Thursday. The menswear launch campaign will feature 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers; Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, who plays for the Brazil national soccer…

Whole Foods' SVP of Merchandising on Ethical Sourcing and Sustainable Supply Chain Practices
October 9, 2023 at 4:09 pm

In episode 422 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Alyssa Vescio, senior vice president of merchandising at Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer, a subsidiary of Amazon.com. Vescio discusses her role at Whole Foods as well as what she enjoys most about the job (1:28), including how her team's…

How GOB and Store Closure ‘Augment’ Efforts Benefit Both Retailer Stakeholders and Suppliers
October 3, 2023 at 2:48 pm

Consumer desire for convenience, speed and the resultant increase in online shopping has dramatically altered the retail landscape. With greatly diminished foot traffic in stores and retail spending now strapped by inflationary pressure on consumer pocketbooks, we've seen record numbers of retail bankruptcies, restructurings, and associated store closures in 2023. When a retail operator goes…

How AI-First Search is Breaking the Rules of Merchandising
September 27, 2023 at 1:02 pm

The retail landscape is in a difficult place at the moment. Between economic stressors like high inflation rates, talent shortages and industry changes such as rapidly evolving customer expectations and surging demands, many retailers are scrambling to find a foothold in these uncertain times. They need to make every resource count. Merchandising teams are critical…

Fashion Merchandising’s Tech Toy Box
August 31, 2023 at 9:29 am

Today’s fashion merchandisers probably grew up watching Rachel Green climb the ranks of Bloomingdales and Ralph Lauren in the culture-defining show, "Friends." In the last few years, the character’s iconic pleated trousers and crop tops have made an undeniable comeback, which got us thinking — what would Rachel’s job look like if the show were on…

Old Navy Emphasizes Quality and Value With 1-Year 'Kid-Proof' Uniforms Guarantee
August 17, 2023 at 5:35 pm

Old Navy recently introduced a one-year “kid-proof” guarantee on uniform styles. All Old Navy uniform basics — such as polos, chinos and pleated skirts — are priced at $15 and under during the back-to-school season. The brand will also provide a full refund if products don’t stand up to the wear and tear of the school year.…

Lowe's Expands Partnership With Petco to 300 Stores
July 20, 2023 at 3:27 pm

Lowe's and Petco have announced the expansion of their pilot program that brings products, services and expertise — for both home and pets — into a one-stop shop, growing from 15 Lowe's stores to nearly 300 locations by year-end. Focusing on rural communities across the country, this expansion offers a new convenience to shoppers, providing access to…

Harnessing the Power of AI for Retail Merchandising
June 13, 2023 at 10:39 am

A retailer’s ability to create a seamless and relevant experience for their customers ultimately can be the difference between gaining loyalty or falling behind competitors. Today’s customers are looking for faster connections to the items they’re looking for and want personalization at every step along the way. This is why the pressure to nail online…

Nike to Re-Enter DSW Stores
June 12, 2023 at 5:21 pm

In a surprising reversal of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) focus, Nike will re-enter into a partnership to sell footwear at DSW stores. The footwear retailer’s parent company, Designer Brands Inc., announced the news last week in a call with analysts discussing first quarter earnings results. The deal will bring a variety of men’s, women’s and kids athletic footwear products to DSW and…