Merchandising

In episode 392 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews David Law, senior vice president and general manager of Allen Edmonds, a U.S.-based handmade luxury men’s footwear heritage brand. Listen in as Law provides an overview of the legacy brand (1:00), his professional background and role at Allen Edmonds (2:35), and the factors he believes…

The pandemic years were boom times for numerous sectors of the economy, including home and bedding, furniture, and home workout brands. In a short period of time, Americans spent $118 billion spiffing up their homes (some categories of home goods, such dishwashers, spiked 4000 percent). Home sales also spiked as people sought more space. But…

Target announced earlier this week that it would be stocking its shelves with more products priced under $10 as it tries to appeal to more cost-conscious consumers dealing with once-in-a-generation inflation. The retailer has shifted its focus to selling more food and lower-priced items under its higher-margin private-label brands including Favorite Day, Good & Gather,…

Nordstrom has teamed with The Folklore Group as part of the retailer’s commitment to build a more equitable marketplace and reduce barriers to access for diverse suppliers, reports Yahoo. Through The Folklore Connect platform, Nordstrom’s merchants will be better able to identify and engage with wholesale fashion and lifestyle brands founded by Black, Latinx, Asian and other people…

In episode 382 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Christina Chang, vice president, procurement and planning at Adore Me, a leading online women's intimates retailer and Certified B Corporation known for inclusive sizing. Chang discusses the Adore Me business and its products (0:45), her professional background and current role (1:40), and how inclusive…

Recent headlines make excess inventory at major retailers sound like an issue that leadership should’ve seen coming. The reality, as is often the case with the headlines, is far more nuanced. There are many reasons at play for the excess of inventory, ranging from diminishing customer demand as COVID-19 restrictions ended and people shifted their…

A differentiated merchandise assortment is one of the top ways retailers can remain competitive in an economic downturn. Retailers that offer unique, exclusive or sustainable products become differentiated shopping destinations unto themselves. However, as consumers demand more authentic, responsibly made products that either improve communities or better the planet, retailers need to expand their wholesale…

In episode 376 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Stacia Andersen, chief customer officer at PetSmart. In the wide-ranging conversation, Andersen discusses her current role and career background (0:41), why she was drawn to work in the pet category after a long stint at Target (2:48), and the genesis of PetSmart's new small…

A couple of years ago, retail store shelves were mostly empty. Today, as manufacturers, we face a much different problem: shelf space for household consumables is shrinking. To make their brick-and-mortar locations more appealing, retail outlets continue to expand the footprint of prepared foods, fresh offerings, and other ancillary offerings designed to deliver convenience, value…

With prolonged inflation, hiked interest rates, and an economic downturn, it's no wonder consumers are feeling an increased amount of stress when making purchases or buying services. And with the holiday season upon us, many are rethinking their spending habits even more than they already were. In fact, 60 percent of consumers say their priorities keep changing…