Shrinking
Store Networks – in an article this week, Smart Company asked the question “Will
retail store networks shrink in 2018?” They examine the intent of store chain,
Mountain Design, who say they will be closing one in three of their 39 retail
stores this year.
In the US
stores like Macy’s J.C.Penney, and Sears have announced store closures and even
H&M have succumbed to store rationing as they search for the perfect profit
mix. Some larger chains like Target are still opening stores but seriously questioning
their footprint and looking to smaller, more cost effective store sizes.
How Did They
Get This So Wrong? – certain H&M stores in South Africa have been trashed following
the publishing of this photo in one of their online promotion campaigns.
Condemnation around the globe has been swift. H&M seem genuinely remorseful
that they got the ad so wrong and have promised remedial action.
Techniques
For Competing – USA Today is reporting that there are signs of bricks’n’mortar
stores improving their competitiveness against the likes of Amazon with some specific
techniques that appear to have worked during the holiday season.
They refer
to J.C.Penney’s collaboration with Sephora to provide in-store cosmetic
services in 75% of their stores. Then there was Kohl’s decision to install
Amazon stores in 10 of their own stores – if you can’t beat them. Target
established more connections with top brand names. Target, Nordstrom, and Toys’R’Us
provided kerbside pick-up so customers didn’t have to leave their cars. Macy’s targeted
click and buy services online.
The Story
Behind One Of Amazon’s Most Successful Products. We reported before Christmas
that Amazons most popular products included a pressure cooker and the success
of this product has become a subject of interest for all those looking to find
new ways of retailing in this retail revolution. This article on Inc.com is
worth a read - https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/heres-secret-strategy-that-keeps-instant-pot-at-top-of-amazon-2-words-facebook-cookbooks.html
Diana
Ferrari To Close All Stores – Footwear, clothing, and accessories label, Dianne
Ferrari, is to close all its own stores whilst maintaining an online presence
and continuing to market its range of footwear through major department stores
and specialist chains.
The Evolution Of Retailing – I love
reading articles by academics because they usually include some logical
backdrop to an argument and this one by Paul Drechsler, doctoral researcher, University of Western
Australia is no exception. It tracks the evolution of retail from the
industrial revolution to today’s information revolution. Unfortunately he doesn’t
tell us how this one is going to end up. https://www.insideretail.com.au/blog/2018/01/11/amazon-drives-a-fifth-city-shaping-retail-revolution/