Merchandising

The next revolution in online commerce is e-merchandising. What is it? It's the art and science of displaying products online to influence shoppers and increase sales. Obviously, a hugely important aspect of e-merchandising is the visual component. Indeed, when consumers shop online, most of the information they can gather about a particular product is its…

lululemon is venturing into footwear, marking a new product category for the maker of leggings and sports bras, and deepening its rivalry with giants Nike and Adidas. The company’s first-ever running shoe for women, called Blissfeel, will be available to purchase starting March 22 in select markets across North America, Mainland China and the United Kingdom. The…

Imagine waking up in your Airbnb rental the morning after a good friend’s wedding. You didn’t hold back on the partying and immediately think, “I would give anything for some Advil and a Gatorade. And, I’d give my right arm if it was already here.” This is a common scenario. People want immediate access to…

CPG manufacturers and retailers have never had as much data and analytical solutions available as they do now. These offer seemingly endless possibilities to plan the "perfect store," but it can easily become overwhelming, especially when also considering the ever-changing retail landscape and the pace at which shopper and competitor behavior evolves. Ultimately, when planning…

In the retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) world, insight is everything. With insights into shopper motivations and behaviors, brands and retailers can anticipate new consumer trends. With insight into store-level performance, brands can identify category leaders and emerging competitors. Insights into category and market dynamics can reveal potential for expansion or innovation. With all…

In episode 333 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Joe Fisch, CEO and chief financial officer of Wine Access, a leading direct-to-consumer wine retailer best known for offering exclusive, carefully selected wines from around the world. Fisch discusses the Wine Access business and product offerings, his professional background that led him to join…

During a keynote session yesterday at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City, Elizabeth Spaulding, CEO of Stitch Fix, discussed how the styling service for women, men and kid's is evolving from its "Fix" box business into a personalized online shopping destination. Spaulding was interviewed by Lauren Thomas, retail reporter at CNBC. The…

It’s a great day for a merchant when a shopper decides to make a purchase. Not only have they made a sale, but they’ve also created an opportunity for a lasting customer relationship. But to build a successful customer relationship, retailers and brands must remember that their job doesn’t end with a transaction. The customer…

J.C. Penney announced on Monday that it's adding Forever 21 to its portfolio of national fashion brands. Shoppers will be able to find Forever 21 products at 100 of the 650 J.C. Penney stores across the nation, as well as on the retailer's website. Apparel items that will be available include tops, bottoms and dresses. The…

As retailers prepare for yet another pandemic-altered holiday shopping season, there are a higher-than-usual number of uncertainties they must address to best serve their customers and drive sales. The good news is that sophisticated and increasingly accessible technology solutions are making that task easier. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool…