The Retail Focus Podcast

Walmart showcased stronger-than-expected earnings last week—we discuss where the retail giant is having the most success.  Additionally, we look at Foot Locker’s push to market towards female consumers, a retirement at Office Depot, positive news from off-price retailer Ross, and a surge in outlet mall shopping.

Macy’s has been in the news lately after announcing planned closures of 100 stores…we glance at their long-term strategy, and if closing cash-positive brick-and-mortar stores is their best option. Additionally, earnings from Home Depot, JC Penney, and TJX are strong, while Target and Lowe’s disappoint, and discussion of Aldi’s private-label baby products rollout.

Walmart enters into an agreement to purchase upstart e-commerce retailer Jet.com, and we seek to find the synergies in the deal. We explore news that retail hiring continues to rise, a merger between grocery distribution co-ops, and Natural Grocers’ earnings. Our guest is Armin Vit of the graphic design firm Under Consideration, LLC and the blog “Brand New.” He provides input on what makes a good retail logo, and how one section of the grocery store could use a little design help. 

Both CVS and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts released earnings this last week…we discuss what each set of numbers means for those retail sectors. We’ll also talk Toys”R”Us’ investment into outlet stores and the off-price model, and a potential new method of processing milk that could increase its retail shelf life.

Tractor Supply Company released earnings last week—we look into TSCO’s growth plans and their changing marketing strategies. Additionally, we discuss the sales boost GameStop is seeing from the Pokemon Go excitement, and the final days for Hastings Entertainment. We revisit our January interview with Rachael Rogers of Prophit Marketing, who joined us to dissect the process of retail ad creation.

We discuss how smoothly this year's Amazon Prime Day went, Kroger's sustainability goals, and hhgregg's expansion of their Fine Lines locations. Our interview guest is independent grocer and retail veteran Ron Rhodes, who talks about how his company competes with grocery giants in the digital age.

Amazon’s Prime Day is fast approaching…we discuss this year’s big e-commerce event, as well as legal proceedings for Abercrombie and Kroger, and leadership changes taking place at The Container Store. Our guest is small business consultant Sydney Anselmi, who helps to explore ways in which retail stores of all sizes are using Snapchat and Instagram to drive consumer loyalty.

We discuss earnings reports from Bed, Bath & Beyond, Finish Line, and Barnes & Noble, as well as what those reports mean for the retailers. Additionally, growing grocer HyVee launches a partnership to include clothing boutiques in stores, and Sam’s Club makes a play for Costco members. 

We look at Staples’ expansion of their same-day delivery experiment, good news for Lumber Liquidators, and Costco’s shift from AmEx to Visa.  Jake Laxen, food and beer reporter for the Coloradoan in Fort Collins, joins us to talk about upcoming changes in liquor retailing laws and 3.2 beer in Colorado, as well as a split in the Colorado Brewers Guild.

Walgreens makes the headlines twice this week…we talk Theranos and the latest FTC input on their merger with Rite Aid. Other topics include Restoration Hardware’s poor earnings showing and entertainment retailer Hastings’ decision to file Chapter 11. Our guest is retail veteran John Seward, who co-owns AMP Variety in Oklahoma City…he discusses his family's attempt to assist American manufacturing in a variety store format.

Non-Walmart topics include Five Below’s excellent earnings report and scheduled store openings for off-price retailer Tuesday Morning, as well as Chick-Fil-A’s new mobile app. We thoroughly cover topics at Walmart’s 2016 Shareholders Meeting, and talk to Erika Hall, reporter at KNWA/Fox 24 in Northwest Arkansas about how the yearly event impacts the Northwest Arkansas metro area.

We look into Target's decision to exit their partnership with Curbside, strong earnings numbers from Ulta and Big Lots, and GameStop's future. Our interview guest is Jason Marietta, Retail Sales Director at industry leader Jake's Fireworks, who discusses the intricacies of the $800 million U.S. fireworks retail industry.

We take a closer look at bankruptcy proceedings from Sports Authority (along with their liquidation schedule), Ross' steady Q1 growth, and the announcement of a new Victoria's Secret CEO. Our interview guest is Kirstie Smith, Director of Communications for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, who details the retail recovery process in Joplin, MO five years after a devastating tornado hit the city.

We discuss Amazon’s efforts to expand their private label offerings, the acquisition of Rona by Lowe’s, and solid sales growth for T.J. Maxx. Additionally, we look ahead to the important first quarter earnings releases this week.

We discuss GAP’s shrinking sales, an IKEA QR code pilot, and get a history lesson on Krispy Kreme donuts. Our guest is Kerry Wefald, Marketing Director with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, who joins us with insights on how farmers market their products, and ways large grocers are partnering with local producers.

We take a glance at what is driving revenue growth at Dunkin' Donuts, Sports Authority's possible new bankruptcy route, GNC's increasing shift towards franchised stores, and new bankruptcy filings from Aeropostale and Fairway Market.

We discuss motives behind Amazon's new month-to-month Prime memberships, more bad news for Aeropostale and Sears Holdings/Kmart, and Target's dynamic produce pricing pilot.  Copywriter and e-commerce research and development consultant Kaleb Clark joins us to discuss inbound marketing and e-commerce for service-oriented retailers.

We discuss Pier 1's outlook after substantial digital infrastructure investments, more on the state of retail sporting goods, and Walmart's aim for omnichannel grocery services. Our guest is Corporate Dynamics Founder Mark Landiak, who explores how retailers can drive positive employee retention beginning with the interview process.

This week, we delve into Rite Aid's increased revenues in the last fiscal year, Gap's struggles, and Duluth Trading Company's plans for expansion. Our guest is Dr. Dennis Hoffman, Director of the L. William Siedman Research Institute at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business, who joins us to discuss the dynamics surrounding retailers that close on a given day each week.

We explore both Walmart's yearly revenue decline and their new rewards program, as well as possible effects of the California minimum wage increase on retailers.  Additionally, a recent survey suggests that Millennials desire a brick-and-mortar retail presence more than older generations.