Pricing
As the U.S. economy rebounds, inflation has become a significant concern for consumers as prices have soared across many sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation rose 8.5 percent over the last 12 months, with fuel, shelter and food driving most price increases. Energy costs alone rose 32 percent in the previous 12…
While only a few months ago U.S. retailers were scrambling to fill their shelves due to supply chain delays, many are now facing inventory surpluses and having to discount unsold goods, according to a Reuters report. Average retail inventories have been rising quickly, too. The Reuters article cited research from Citi that found 11 of…
In episode 350 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kadian Langlais, chief marketing officer of Renfro Brands, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of quality socks and legwear products. Langlais discusses the 100-year-old brand (1:02), her professional background in retail (3:12), and the impact that inflation and supply chain disruptions are having on…
Since the dawn of retail as a human occupation, it has turned into a complex industry, with millions of players and networks between a manufacturer and an end buyer. So now, years and years after, retailers are amidst a highly saturated competition, diversified landscape of sales channels and store formats, tangled purchase funnel, and sophisticated…
Being from California, I've always loved to drive. Whether in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains or along the stunning California coastline. I've always appreciated having the steering wheel in my hands, and the wind blowing in my now departed hair. (Cue Telly Savalas, “Who loves ya, baby?”). Despite being an “excellent driver” (if I say…
The once-familiar cadences of retail prices and promotions — quarterly or even annual rhythms, with perhaps just minor variations on prior years’ assumptions — are a distant memory today. The retail landscape has become almost unrecognizable as shoppers flock to online channels, demanding 24/7 complete price transparency, along with a wider array of competitors. Retailers…
Two major retailers have raised the cost of a popular at-home COVID-19 test after an agreement with the White House to keep them at a fixed price lapsed, multiple news outlets reported Wednesday. Kroger and Walmart had sold the BinaxNOW test kit, manufactured by the company Abbott, at $14, per the agreement with President Joe…
The Dollar Tree announced Tuesday that it will raise prices from $1 to $1.25 on the majority of its products by the first quarter of 2022. The change is a sign of the pressures low-cost retailers face holding down prices during a period of rising inflation. Dollar Tree said in a quarterly earnings release Tuesday that…
The biggest shopping months for retail are upon us. Many retailers think way ahead of time, many months in advance. It’s a good practice. But what if you re-evaluate your pricing strategy now, is it too late? The short answer is no. It’s not too late; there's still time. In fact, it’s likely most retailers…
The past two years have brought with them many retail changes. One glance at an empty store shelf reveals how inventory and supply chain hiccups have become an ongoing issue since the start of the pandemic. Retailers all over the U.S. now manage shopper expectations with phrases such as “Now’s the time to be thinking…