Opinion: Page 2

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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  • A Supreme logo
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    "Supreme Shibuya" by Michael Casim is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    How the youth brand Supreme became a modern-day meme

    The streetwear brand has shifted from conventional notions of what a brand should be, and others should take note, write Temple University's Jay Sinha and Kunal Duggal.

    Jay Sinha and Kunal Duggal • March 18, 2020
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    Brain Corp
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    5 predictions for the future of retail

    Emerging technologies continue to drive digital disruption and customer experience is fast becoming the new currency, writes Gartner's Robert Hetu.

    Robert Hetu • Jan. 9, 2020
  • 'Tis the season to return things. But it doesn't have to be

    E-commerce product returns have a harmful impact on the environment and business margins. ThreeKit President Joachim Klein asks why retailers aren't trying harder to prevent them.

    Joachim Klein • Jan. 3, 2020
  • A 2020 guide to smart discounting

    Polly Wong, managing partner at Belardi Wong, offers tips for crafting customer offers while avoiding discount fatigue and harm to the bottom line.

    Polly Wong • Dec. 23, 2019
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    Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash
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    Compliance tips for exporting to Mexico

    Retailers in the NAFTA region have benefited from the agreement for decades, but rules of origin and audits complicate compliance, writes Foley & Lardner's Marcos Carrasco-Menchaca. 

    Marcos Carrasco-Menchaca • Nov. 8, 2019
  • 5 reasons catalogs are making a comeback with DTC brands

    DTC brands are turning to catalogs to play a vital role in their growth beyond Facebook and Instagram, writes Measured's Trevor Testwuide.

    Trevor Testwuide • Nov. 6, 2019
  • How the $160B gift card market can catch up to the modern age of retail

    Retailers risk losing revenue and customers unless they upgrade the gift card experience, writes Loop Commerce CEO and co-founder Roy Erez.

    Roy Erez • Oct. 25, 2019
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    rawpixel via Pexels
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    The 5 biggest DTC trends of 2019

    The shift to direct to consumer isn't expected to slow anytime soon, writes Innovation Department founder Alex Song.

    Alex Song • Oct. 10, 2019
  • Black Friday: Influencer marketing tips to add to your shopping list

    Work early, partner with influencers you trust and focus on the right kind of content, Magda Houalla, head of brand strategy at AspireIQ, writes.

    Magda Houalla • Oct. 2, 2019
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    Farmstead
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    There's a farm in my grocery store: The new rules of retail engagement

    All retailers are in a very tight spot right now — grocery stores offer many obvious proof points, writes The Hershey Experience's Suzanne Jones.

    Suzanne Jones • Sept. 19, 2019
  • Balancing 'safe' and 'welcoming' in the era of mass shootings

    Being prepared today can save lives — as well as significant business costs — tomorrow, writes Vice President of Pinkerton, Jason Porter. 

    Jason Porter • Sept. 12, 2019
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    Getty Images
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    From traditionalists to Gen Z: Managing a multigenerational retail workforce

    It can be difficult for retail managers to navigate the societal and generational differences in today's labor force, writes Fisher Phillips' Lauren C. Tompkins.

    Lauren C. Tompkins • Sept. 5, 2019
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    Alamo Architects
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    How shopping centers can use design to build a better experience

    Successful retail centers offer entertainment, shopping and dining, and a sense of authentic placemaking, writes Alamo Architects' Billy Lawrence.

    Billy Lawrence • Aug. 15, 2019
  • Why retailers need to revisit their real estate strategies

    The longstanding formula for ramping up real estate needs an update, write A&G Realty Partners' Peter Lynch and Jon Graub.

    Jon Graub and Peter Lynch • Aug. 8, 2019
  • Independent toy stores are using experiences to attract customers

    Local retailers are stepping up to shape the toy industry, writes Kimberly Mosley, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. 

    Kimberly Mosley • Aug. 1, 2019
  • Big tech's hidden DNA hates competition

    While the internet gives us much to celebrate, disturbing trends that erode free-market competition are emerging, writes RILA's Brian Dodge.

    Brian Dodge • July 30, 2019
  • The apparel industry has to get faster, leaner and meaner

    Results in the sector have been pretty dismal, and retailers need to shake things up, writes RSR Research's Paula Rosenblum.

    Paula Rosenblum • July 25, 2019
  • Why M&A deal values dropped so dramatically in 2018

    Legacy players are under attack, and incumbents are starting to reexamine portfolios, write A.T. Kearney's Bahige El-Rayes and Alexandre Terseleer.

    Bahige El-Rayes and Alexandre Terseleer • July 18, 2019
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    Bob Phibbs
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    Shopping with Bob: RH Gallery in the New York City Meatpacking District

    The five-story showroom blurs the lines between restaurant and retail, writes Bob Phibbs.

    Bob Phibbs • July 11, 2019
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    Zackary Drucker for The Gender Spectrum Collection
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    An inclusive customer experience for non-binary people is necessary

    The total spending power of the global LGBTQ+ community is akin to the GDP of the fourth-largest country in the world, writes A.T. Kearney's Bachul Koul.

    Bachul Koul • July 10, 2019
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    Getty
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    Is experiential retail the antidote for outdoor retailers?

    Outdoor specialty companies looking to stave off sector declines have taken notice of the experiential retail trend, writes Perkins Coie's Andrew Grant.

    Andrew Grant • June 20, 2019
  • Bringing stores into the 21st century

    The old prototype store model is obsolete and fails to accommodate the new reality of retail, ruled by personalized experiences, local flavor and nuance, writes WD Partners' Elaine Kleinschmidt.

    Elaine Kleinschmidt • June 13, 2019
  • Why the ads retailers don't send are just as important as the ads they do

    Suppressing selected customers from media activation is not a lofty ask. It's a strategy that retailers should employ more often, writes Signal's Jason Ankeny.

    Jason Ankeny • June 6, 2019
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    How small businesses can keep up with high retail demand

    Keeping up in today's world of instant consumer gratification can be tougher than ever before, writes Dun & Bradstreet's Amber Colley.

    Amber Colley • May 7, 2019
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    Brooke Lark via Unsplash
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    It's about trust: Why Google, Instagram and Facebook want you to smile for the camera

    Retailers and brands should be using pictures to capture sales and increase conversion, writes Performics' Burcu Agma.

    Burcu Agma • May 2, 2019