Joan Cedrone

Sales dipped and profits were lower for Dillard’s, whose CEO expressed disappointment in the Little Rock-based retailer’s performance. Dillard’s reported Thursday (Aug. 15) revenue of $1.514 billion in the second quarter compared to $1.597 billion in last year’s second quarter. Analysts projected second-quarter revenue at $1.53 billion. #retailsales #earningsreport #departmentstores

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As a GOOD AMERICAN customer, I can’t wait to experience the store. 👖As a former merchant, having a digital option to showcase styling, fit and product knowledge would have given me the confidence that my merchandising strategy was being executed in the store without having to physically be on location. 📺This is a great way to make sure teams are product obsessed with the constant graphics and that the visual merchandising / styling options are being showcased at the store. 🛍️To make sure this extension of digital is a success, Good American would need to keep the content fresh and consistent with real time inventory and reflective of the current product assortment. Sales associates would still need to be product obsessed but they would also need to show customers what is possible with the digital screens. The experience should augment and assist the sales associate and not be considered a replacement of staff. 🔹The excitement of finding a product on the screen, loving the look and being disappointed if the item or the size is not available could also drive customers away. GA would need to be on top of their inventory position and have a good handle of managing their inventory across all channels. 🗞️Check out more #BrainTrust comments on RetailWire: https://lnkd.in/eDJp--GF #retail #retailnews #goodamerican #cx #stores #merchandising #TRE #TopRetailExpert

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Celebrating a win for California’s retail safety. Proposition 36 passed! 🎉 Proposition 36 rolls back parts of the controversial Proposition 47. Proposition 47, passed in 2014, was ironically called the “Safer Streets” proposition, even though it was designed to reduce jail overcrowding. It was meant to reverse historic tough-on-crime policies and divert money spent on incarceration to rehabilitation. The crime reform was well-intended but had unintended side effects for organized retail crime prevention. The proposition raised the felony threshold for prosecuting shoplifters to $950. Anyone caught for shoplifting under $950 would be cited with a ticket and released. It wasn’t a strong disincentive for repeat offenders. Ultimately, Prop 47 fueled a surge in commercial burglary (smash & grab) and shoplifting. It’s no surprise that 70.4% of voters approved the new proposition.. Under the new Proposition 36, people found guilty of shoplifting will now be more likely to face felony charges that were previously classified. Shoplifting under $950 is now punishable by up to three years if the offender has “two or more past convictions for certain theft crimes. It also increases potential punishment and jail sentences based on the total amount of goods stolen from prior incidents. Finally, it lengthens felony sentences by up to three years if at least three people jointly commit a theft or property crime or there is property damage. Congrats to all my ORC and LP friends who oversee stores in California! 

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Macy's is adding staff to its women’s shoes and handbags departments in an effort to improve sales. On the company’s third quarter earnings conference call, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. Tony Spring told analysts that the retailer has been testing this initiative at about 100 locations. “Having dedicated runners to get shoes from the stock room and salespeople available to assist in handbags allows our colleagues to spend more time with the customer,” Spring noted.

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Love it! But those who work in stores only wished their partners at HQ wanted to be in stores without a mandate. It is impossible to be the best in supporting stores or building a customer experience without being in stores often…at night, on weekends and during holidays! And once in stores be uber curious and engage with customers and the team. Ask “what can I do better or to help?”, “what gets in your way?”, “what should HQ change?”… ask these and other questions…and be genuine and authentic or don’t go! Oh, and get in the back room and ask to process freight, complete an Omni order, learn the steps involved in process’ and do the work! The best leaders work in stores with their teams, not simply “visit”. Retail magic still happens where the team, customer and product collide!

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According to National Retail Federation's Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D., despite key factors in retail and consumer such as trade, immigration, regulation, tax and spending policies, "there is good reason to expect healthy economic growth in 2025". Read on below for more from Chain Store Age's Marianne Wilson: https://lnkd.in/gTVqUZCQ

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Boston’s retail landscape is thriving, with significant growth and new developments reshaping the city. Despite an increase in remote work, retail activity remains robust, driven by rising tourism and consumer spending. Retailers are expanding in both suburban and urban areas, with new store openings and developments enhancing the city's commercial appeal. Key Highlights: Tourism and Consumer Spending: International travel and domestic tourism are fueling consumer spending, especially in residential neighborhoods like Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Mission Hill, where spending has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Retail Developments: Major projects like Samuels & Associates Lyrik Back Bay and New England Development Allston Yards are set to open, bringing new retail, office, and residential spaces to the city. New Retailers: Brands like Google, Rivian, UNIQLO, Savage X Fenty and Loewe are opening new stores, reflecting Boston’s appeal to major retailers. Experiential tenants like F1® Arcade and MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM Cream are also making a splash. Retail Investment: Investment in Boston's retail properties remains strong, with supermarket-anchored centers being particularly popular. Recent transactions include Crosspoint Associates, Inc. of Brookside Shops and DLC Management Corp.’s acquisition of Colony Place.

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"Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired by its founding family and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool in a deal that values the luxury department store operator at about $6.25 billion, including debt."  https://lnkd.in/gRqknBPp

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Kmart used to be the Retail King! Sadly, the crown hasn’t been theirs for quite some time. K-mart's fall from grace can be linked to (but not limited to): ▶️A failure of to innovate in the face of competition from the likes of Wal-Mart (although this is not just restricted to K-mart only, department stores in general are laggards when it comes to innovation). ▶️Second, poor standards of product assortments and visual merchandising. ▶️Finally, a merger with Sears where the only value that K-mart brought to the table was its real estate footprint - there was no desire for those in charge to do well as a retail brand. Put these, and other factors, together and the end result is a once iconic brand goes and bites the dust. Is all hope lost for this retailer? Definitely. It's not worth the time, effort or expense to even try. The K-mart brand has been devalued because of years of leadership level ineptness and reviving it will have limited nostalgic benefit....if that. Thank you Nicole Kirichanskaya and Inside Retail US for including my POV on the story alongside my friend Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail. #retailnews #retail #stores #innovation #merchandising #kmart #TRE

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Target reported a rather soft first quarter, with declines in sales and revenue that reflect overall shopping habits. Although the retailer didn’t open the year with a bang, it is setting up for growth later in the year through new initiatives and, hopefully, in a more conducive selling environment. #retailsales #target

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The high burden of proof to enforce crime and why ORC cases are so long and complex… Retail executives outside of organized retail crime prevention often underestimate how challenging ORC cases can be. It's not as simple as you watch thieves steal, or fences sell products; then you arrest them. We are often met with skepticism about our methodology and comments such as: “Why is it taking so long to bust these guys?” “Why isn’t this case closed?” Here’s how you can respond to this line of commentary. These cases are complex challenges with a lot of moving parts. Let's say I am monitoring a booster/fence transaction. There are “boosters” that steal products. Then there are “fences” that buy from thieves and resell to another party.  Clear proof is required to prosecute this crime. I could be following the entire transaction. The thief walks up with a garbage bag of stolen goods. The fence hands him a wad of cash. Both law enforcement and I witness the entire thing. But we still walk away with zero enforceable evidence. The fence says they didn’t know the goods had been stolen. ORCs need proof every step of the way. They need to witness the theft in person or on video. They also need evidence that the fence knows the goods have been stolen in the form of “dirty dialogue.” Confidential informants (CI) or undercover agents can’t just say, “Hey, I stole this. Want to buy it?” That dialogue often comes from the negotiation and haggling over price. “I almost got caught.” “The security is tougher now.” It needs to be 100% clear to a jury that the fence knew it was stolen. One transaction is not enough. We need to monitor MANY transactions before enough evidence to prosecute. With fences that move millions of dollars worth of product, a small transaction won’t cut it. You need to catch them in the act of moving a pallet or truck of stolen goods. In these cases, we are coordinating with the manufacturer to provide the goods and stage transactions $100K and above. If it's a federal case, the CI or undercover needs to drive out of state and move the goods across state lines back to the fence. Most people think these cases are open and shut. These are just some of the complexities! There are steps to be taken to reduce losses, such as targeting boosters while the longer fence case is developed.  Despite all the advances in modern technology, it still takes time and careful planning to collect the appropriate evidence to enforce criminal activity. With the ThinkLP Complex Investigations module, ORC can conduct investigations, compile all evidence needed for prosecution, and package cases for delivery to law enforcement or a prosecuting authority.  Also, to address the “why isn’t this case closed yet?” question you can generate a timeline at any point that provides all of the steps you have taken on the investigation. #organizedretailcrime

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Stop Wasting Time on Useless Holiday Gifts. This year, give your employees something that actually makes a difference: The Retail Leaders Roadmap. It’s the no-nonsense guide they need to level up, deliver results, and take ownership of their growth. Skip the mugs, gift cards, or generic swag. This book will not only push them to be better but also make your life easier because they’ll actually show up ready to perform. Click the link below, buy it in bulk, and give them the gift that keeps on giving. Share this with your network to help the industry! Stop the holiday fluff and start building a team that thrives. Grab your copy here

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The Retail Monitor, a monthly survey from CNBC and the National Retail Federation (NRF), found that sales ticked up 0.26% from March to April. NRF CEO Matthew Shay attributed the modest increase to “a growing job market and real gains in wages,” but qualified that “consumers remain focused on value and price and are shifting their spending patterns where needed to make ends meet.” #retailsales #economicgrowth

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💔 It's with a heavy heart that I learned of the Ted Baker store closures. I've had memorable experiences there, and it's sad to see such a unique and vibrant brand go. From the moment I stepped in, Asha greeted me warmly, dressed impeccably in a Ted Baker outfit. Maxwell soon joined, offering compliments and engaging in a genuine conversation about the store's quirky decor, which featured tape measures and ruler accents symbolizing Manhattan's architectural planning. Maxwell's enthusiasm was infectious, and his attention to detail was remarkable. He set up a fitting room, brought additional shirts, and made sure I was never left alone—always in a good way. I wrote a full blog about this experience, which is available in the comments below. Ted Baker's employees consistently deliver a level of engagement that set them apart. Their ability to create a welcoming atmosphere and maintain operational excellence is commendable, especially in a retail environment plagued by high turnover and inconsistent service. The challenges faced by many luxury and department stores stem from their inability to provide a consistent shopping experience. Ted Baker, however, excels in customer engagement, which is why they stood out even during my keynote at the Retail Excellence conference in Dublin, Ireland. Retailers must remember that great associates are made, not found. Ted Baker's winning formula included great products, well-trained staff, unique store designs, and a consistent shopper experience. The brand promise was evident from the moment you walked in. The closure of Ted Baker's is not just the loss of a retail brand but the end of an era of brilliant retail design and exceptional customer service. While financial irregularities and controversies played a role, the push to remove the visionary CEO who created the essence of what made Ted Baker special - their dedication to training and engaging their employees, created an environment that made shopping a delight. Feel free to DM me if you want to learn more about how to create an exceptional in-store experience. Let's honor Ted Baker's legacy by striving for retail excellence. #RetailExcellence #CustomerExperience #TedBaker #RetailDesign #InStoreEngagement #RetailTraining #CustomerService #BrickAndMortar #RetailStrategy

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Recently, we hired someone to train our store managers in sales. Initially, I doubted the investment, but the results were clear: it wasn’t about fluffy sales tactics, it was about giving employees purpose in what they do. It was an eye-opening experience. When people have a chance to achieve something meaningful, it drives behaviors that a paycheck alone cannot. When people see their work as more than just a job, their energy and motivation blossom. Purpose aligns their efforts with a greater vision, creating a ripple effect that impacts the entire organization. https://lnkd.in/gTcGGp54 #Purpose #SelfActualization #Growth #Leadership #Success #Startups #Entrepreneurship #TeamCulture

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"We thought, ‘We can do more with a lot less,’ and that didn’t work out for us.” On the back of #TerribleHorribleNoGoodVeryBad quarterly results, it's quite refreshing to hear Kohl's (outgoing) CEO speak so openly about the current state of the business and the decisions they / he made that did not work out. The full transcript (link in the comments) is worth a read. CEO Tom Kingsbury started with ... "Over the last several quarters, we have implemented a significant amount of change across our assortment, value strategies, and in-store experience. We believe these actions will make us more competitive over the long term. However, we undervalued the short-term impact this change could have on our sales performance." And then went into details on the three areas that drove performance: "a decline in traffic, especially early in the quarter, during the back-to-school season; a reduction in receipts in our private apparel brands, which impacted our ability to drive sales in our key value items; and categories where we have lost traction that represented opportunities for us going forward such as fine jewelry, petites and intimate apparel, and legacy home products." He didn't blame the macro environment or the weather, despite both playing a factor. Frankly, the only thing not addressed -- in the narrative nor in the Q&A -- was how to overcome the challenge of operating in the department store sector as a whole (for those not following closely, department stores have been in a 30-year decline). And yes, I imagine that knowing you're no longer in charge is part of why he was able to "own" the issues, effectively "cleaning the plate" for incoming CEO Ashley Buchanan. But still a welcome change from the "corporate speak" of most quarterly calls. https://lnkd.in/ez8PJ2t7

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Wednesday this week Mattress Retailer Toolkit is hosting yet another Experts sessions call, this is a live call at 11:30 am East Coast Time and it’s FREE for all to attend. On this call Kristen Dressler from Team Builder Recruiting, who helped us with our last two rockstar hires will join us. RSVP to join us ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Replays will be housed in our member community AND she will have a members only resource page of valuable assets when creating ahiring ads, forming interview questions and brining in on the right hire the right way. She’ll be sharing - 5 Winning Hiring Strategies to Build Your Team Attracting, interviewing, and building a team is a challenge every business faces. By approaching this mission-critical task with a touch of strategy and a little planning, you increase your chances of success exponentially. In this presentation, we'll discuss what candidates are looking for in a career move. You'll learn how to identify the type of person needed for your open position, marketing strategies to attract qualified candidates, and interview tips to help you identify which candidate best matches your role. The presentation wraps up with insights on presenting the offer to your first-choice candidate so that you have the best possible chance of getting a "YES!" to your offer. You'll leave this session with practical tips and tricks to build an effective and streamlined hiring process.

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