The Retail Focus Podcast

Retail Focus 1/30/23 – Sam’s Club Reveals Expansion Plans; Retail Executives’ Outlook for 2023

Our interview guest is Lupine Skelly, Deloitte’s Retail, Wholesale, and Distribution Research Leader. She joins the show to discuss Deloitte’s 2023 retail industry outlook, which features input from major retail executives—themes include handling a more price-sensitive consumer, durable goods sales, and continued concerns surrounding supply chain. In news, Sam’s Club shifts back into brick-and-mortar growth mode by revealing news for new stores, Sherwin-Williams overcomes shortages, and food economists’ outlook on the price of eggs.

The full Deloitte 2023 outlook may be accessed here: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/retail-distribution-industry-outlook.html

Retail Focus 1/16/23 – Looking at Retail Ad Spend & Strategy; Albertsons Beats Estimates

Our interview guest is Richard Jones, Chief Revenue Officer at Wunderkind. He joins the show to discuss the advertising and marketing landscape for retailers in 2023—and how digital spending and marketing content may change or adjust based on consumer habits. In news, Albertsons posts better-than-expected sales numbers and sees a massive jump in loyalty members. Additionally, we look ahead to two retailers potentially on the verge of declaring bankruptcy in the near future.

Retail Focus 1/3/23 – Retail Trends in the Year Ahead; CBRE Issues Retail Real Estate Guidance

Our interview guest is Katie Gilsenan, senior trends manager at GWI, who joins the show to discuss retail trends for 2023, consumer motivations in the new year, and which categories might see a lift in tight economic times. In news, CBRE issues guidance regarding retail real estate trends and how they may impact both retailers and their physical spaces, and we look at “dark” Amazon Fresh locations.

Retail Focus 12/26/22 – The 2023 Retail Consumer; Holiday Shopping Numbers Begin to Arrive

Our interview guest is Kristina Rogers, EY Global Consumer Leader. She joins the show to discuss EY’s 11^th Future Consumer Index, and broadly, what the 2023 retail consumer will look like as far as decision-making, demand, and outlook on personal finances. In news, we get a look at early numbers from the 2022 holiday shopping season, and preview what could be a busy 2023 in shoe retail through the lens of DSW and Nike.

Retail Focus 12/12/22 – Product Descriptions & Reducing Returns; Chewy Sees Rise in Autoship Sales

Our interview guest is Randy Mercer, VP of Global Products at 1WorldSync. He joins the show to discuss the process behind getting effective product content to retailers, and the role that good product descriptions play in reducing returns from digital channel sales. In news, we briefly touch on lululemon’s outstanding quarter before looking at Chewy’s autoship success and fulfillment center strides that have improved margins and shipping distances despite lower hard good sales.

Retail Focus 12/6/22 – Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Retail Real Estate; Dollar General Releases 2023 Plans

Our interview guest is Jazmen Johnson, the VP of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at ICSC; she joins us to discuss the themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion in retail real estate and addresses the need to see value in diverse retail centers. In news, Dollar General releases their growth plans for 2023 and attracts a wider band of customers, and grocers look towards fresh bakery to stimulate impulse buys.

Retail Focus 11/28/22 – Inventory Visibility for Retailers Across Channels; Family Dollar Traffic Ticks Up

Our interview guest is Ann Ruckstuhl, senior vice president and chief marketing officer with Manhattan Associates. She joins the show to discuss Manhattan’s recent research surrounding inventory visibility, point of sale options, and the surprising number of retailers who are uncomfortable with their current inventory tracking. In news, we look at early Black Friday shopping numbers as well as Dollar Tree’s recent update which featured the first traffic increase for Family Dollar in over two years.

Retail Focus 11/21/22 – Oracle Retail’s Shopper Outlook; Ross Seeks Improved Holiday Assortment

Our interview guest is Mike Webster, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Retail. He discusses Oracle’s recent Retail Shopper Outlook, including holiday expectations, development of consumer trust, and what we can expect regarding post-holiday returns. In news, Ross details its efforts to provide consumer value while still increasing ticket size in a promotional environment, and we look ahead to the Kohl’s leadership transition (and an important Q4).

Retail Focus 11/13/22 – Current State of Retail Import Process; Sprouts Evaluates Near Future

Our interview guest is Chris Lentjes, CEO of U.S. operations for Eurora Solutions; he joins us to discuss the current state of imports and exports for retailers, where automation and processes may be able to ease retailers’ burden in the future, and what retailers should be mindful of regarding international supply chain components in 2023. In news, Sprouts Farmers Market remains firm on their plans to grow location count despite tepid comp sales growth at existing stores, and SpartanNash indicates that supply chain costs may be declining—at least for their wholesale network.

Retail Focus 11/6/22 – Consumer Attitudes Towards Private Labels; Floor & Décor Forges More Growth Plans

Our interview guest is Rick Kelly, Chief Product Officer at Fuel Cycle. He joins us to discuss a recent private label study conducted that reveals consumer attitudes towards private labels in 2022, where they are most likely to devote share of wallet to private labels, and how permanent brand-related shifts in behavior can be. In news, Floor & Décor charts a path forward with significant growth in store counts as they continue to enjoy robust sales, and we look ahead to redevelopment projects by REITs in 2023.

Retail Focus 10/30/22 – E-Commerce Sales Expectations for Holidays; Less Retail Space Available in U.S.

Our interview guest is Rick Watson, founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting. He joins the show to discuss 2022 holiday expectations, particularly through the lens of e-commerce, and talk about which retailers might be in great position and which might be fighting an uphill battle for market share. In news, we discuss CBRE’s Q3 retail report and why available retail space continues to fall in the U.S. Additionally, we look at potential issues for Shipt as it pertains to lawsuits by the District of Columbia and Minnesota.

Retail Focus 10/23/22 – Holiday Consumer Shopping Data from Deloitte; Tractor Supply Closes Orscheln Deal

Our interview guest is Rod Sides, Deloitte Insights Leader and Retail Partner at Deloitte LLP; he discusses specific consumer data from their 37th annual holiday survey and how retailers can capitalize on what is expected to be a big year for gift cards and resale products. In news, Tractor Supply Co. sets a new sales record and closes on a deal with Orscheln that may also benefit a fellow farm and home chain. Additionally, we look ahead to another investment by Simon.

Retail Focus 10/16/22 – Open-Air Shopping Center Dynamics; What Does Kroger Want with Albertsons?

Our interview guest is Ward Kampf, President of Northwood Retail. He joins the show to discuss how shopping centers (and consumer demand surrounding the centers) have changed over the last ten years, the dynamics of open-air shopping centers, and the importance of attracting local, small, and unique retailers and restaurants to properties. In news, Kroger enters into a deal to purchase Albertsons…we look at why, the deal details, and reasons regulators may potentially balk at the agreement.

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Retail Focus 9/19/22 – Deloitte’s Holiday Sales Projections; What Back-To-School Can Teach Us About 2022

Our interview guest is Rod Sides, Deloitte Insights Leader and Retail Partner at Deloitte. He joins the show to discuss Deloitte’s holiday sales projections and what we can expect as far as overall (and digital) sales during this upcoming shopping season. In news, Placer.ai data gives us an early peek at back-to-school traffic numbers and may give us a preview of what traffic cadence may look like in winter, and Amazon endures another lawsuit, this time by the California attorney general.

Retail Focus 9/12/22 – Battling Counterfeits from a Retail Perspective; Kroger’s Private Label Shakeup

Our interview guest is Rosemary Coates, the President of Blue Silk Consulting and the Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute. She joins the show to discuss counterfeits in the marketplace, anti-counterfeiting measures put in place by retailers, and what the counterfeit landscape could look like in the near future. In news, Kroger beats on earnings but the big story is their plans for consolidation of private label brands for customer convenience; we also discuss Tuesday Morning’s latest rescue plan—one that involves Pier 1 Imports.

Retail Focus 9/5/22 – Retail Pricing Strategies and Analytics; Ollie’s Hopes for a Better Second Half

Our interview guest is Matt Pavich, the senior director of retail innovation at Revionics, an Aptos company. He joins us to discuss retail pricing strategies, how retailers are using analytics (especially in the dollar segment) to continue to provide value to customers, and why traditional pricing models may no longer be as effective to drive bottom-line results. Speaking of bottom lines, in news, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet takes a hit on theirs but hopes to see margins increase in the second half of 2022. We also look ahead to yet another new store format for Michigan-based Meijer.

Retail Focus 8/14/22 – Enticing Mall Customers to Linger; Grocery Outlet Builds Management Pipeline

Our interview guest is Steven Wagner, Chief Commercial Officer with Smarte Carte. He discusses various solutions designed to keep customers in shopping centers longer—from strollers to mobility solutions—and the process behind keeping them clean and functional. In news, Grocery Outlet reveals strong Q2 earnings but also gives a peek inside building their management pipeline to support future expansion plans, and retailers face a loss of baskets via theft, potentially resulting from plastic bag restrictions.

Retail Focus 8/7/22 – Retail from a City Leader’s Perspective; Wayfair Swims Upstream

Our interview guest is Jim Paine, mayor of Superior, Wisconsin, who joins our show to discuss retail from the perspective of a city leader—particularly as it pertains to small- and mid-sized markets. He touches on his changing views towards big box retail, making an area attractive to national retailers, and how Superior has endeavored to diversify their retail landscape. In news, National Retail Properties continues to see positive numbers in retail occupancy, and Wayfair takes it on the chin during a difficult Q2.

Retail Focus 7/25/22 – Deloitte’s 2022 Back-to-School Report; Dollar Stores See Increase in Q2 Traffic

Our interview guest is Rod Sides, Deloitte Insights Leader and Retail Partner at Deloitte LLP; he re-joins the show to discuss Deloitte’s 2022 Back-to-School survey, interesting findings, and how consumer behavior may be shifting going into the future holiday season. In news, Placer.ai data suggests traffic increases at dollar stores during Q2 but a rough end to the quarter for grocers and superstores, and Walmart revises their profit outlook downward.

Retail Focus 7/17/22 – The Legal Side of Retail Leases; Retail Sales Tick Up in June; Vasos Steps Aside

Our interview guests are Annie Malo and Julie Connelly of Seyfarth Shaw LLP; they join us as part of our ongoing ICSC interview series to discuss the legal aspect of retail leases and negotiations between landlord and retailer—and why real estate attorneys are vital to the lease process. In news, retail sales tick up in June according to NRF numbers, The Fresh Market won’t be going public after all, and Todd Vasos steps aside at Dollar General.