Sirius Buying Group’s Post

With Hudson's Bay Company's recent US$2.65 billion deal to acquire luxury department store Neiman Marcus, it's clear that the landscape of retail is ever-evolving. Interestingly, across the pond, independent department stores are defying the trend of decline, experiencing a resurgence as consumers rediscover their love for physical shopping. By honing in on local consumer preferences and investing in their stores, experiences, and brand relationships, these independents are thriving and hitting the sweet spot on local high streets. In some ways, this mirrors what we are seeing in Canada, with the growth of La Maison Simons and their bold moves into new markets across the country. Whether independent or not, what is clear is that client relationships and outstanding service are core to achieving positive results! (I am shamelessly plugging the need for great talent! 😂 ) #retail #departmentstores #retailcareers #retailrecruitment

Magical customer experiences can be found in surprising places. Buc-ee's, Ltd. is a great example - they've reinvented the gas station experience, making it impossible to leave without purchasing multiple items. 🥤 👕 🍖 🍼 🍪 🍭 Assortment curation ➕ cheerful & clean atmosphere ➕ valve gas = LOYALTY! These large stores offer customers "food theater", think fresh brisket being sliced, endless snacks & beverages including a slushy wall, and giftables where you can find last minute baby gifts and logo'd merchandise (their branded swim trunks are quite the conversation starter). I never leave with out at least 3 items, sometimes more than 5 🤷♀️, always a rice crispy treat. 🔥 This business is going to keep scaling bc customers love it and it's profitable. I also like that they pay staff above market and visibly market this inside to help with staffing. 🙂 Their founder attributes success to "making previously unenjoyable tasks during road trips — stopping to go to the restroom, finding food or getting gas — something people look forward to." #futureofcustomerexperiences #futureofretail #convenience #retail #cx

In Global Retail Brands v Bed Bath ‘N’ Table the Full Court today reversed the finding of contravention of the ACL by use of a HOUSE BED & BATH mark. It dismissed the cross-appeal, saying that the finding that the marks were not deceptively similar was “plainly correct”. The Court’s reasoning in the ACL case focused upon the PJ's finding that BBNT had not established any independent reputation in BED BATH, or BED & BATH (see [77], [83]). This appears to have involved a tool of analysis that the Court found useful in reaching its conclusion that the conduct was not likely to mislead, rather than some principle of broader application. That is, it should be possible to establish contravention of the ACL without having to strictly prove an independent reputation subsisting in components of a broader mark – ultimately there must be an overall assessment of the conduct. The Court's approach brought a focus upon the descriptive nature of the words BED and BATH for the relevant services (even if not "purely descriptive", given that beds and baths were not sold). The Court quoted from Hornsby Building Information Centre (re “eloquently descriptive trade names”), and Office Cleaning Services, but its application of that line of authority was through its assessment of whether there was an independent reputation in the shared BED (&) BATH elements. In its reasoning more generally, it also appears that the Full Court considered “bed” and “bath” to be more descriptive, and less allusive, than did the PJ for the relevant services. The FC considered the PJ’s application of the principle from Australian Woollen Mills (i.e. that a proven intention to deceive can be evidence, in a borderline case, that can support a conclusion that consumers will be misled by treating the evidence as expert evidence from someone experienced in that industry). The Court said that the PJ’s finding of “wilful blindness” as to the risk of deception (rather than intention to deceive) could not support the application of that principle, and that in any event it was not a borderline case (i.e. sometimes an intention to mislead can be unsuccessful; the tail cannot wag the dog, see [87], quoting from Hashtag Burgers).

House® has won its appeal overturning the finding that it had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by operating House Bed & Bath stores in the face of Bed Bath & Table. The Full Court also confirmed that House Bed & Bath was not deceptively similar to Bed Bath & Table. It would seem the decisive fact was that BBNT did not have a reputation in "Bed Bath" or "Bed & Bath" only in the full composite expression "Bed Bath & Table" The Full Court explained: [81] For a consumer to be misled into thinking there was some association between BBNT stores operated under the BBNT mark and GRBA stores operated under the House B&B mark, that person would have to either confuse the two marks (i.e., by mistaking one for the other) or, despite recognising the differences between them (including the presence of “House” in the House B&B mark and its absence from the BBNT mark), draw the inference from the presence of either “BED BATH” or “BED & BATH” in the two marks that there was some association between the businesses using them. [82] As to the first possibility, we regard the differences between the two marks as substantial and obvious to anyone but the most careless observer. The fact that the BBNT mark is very well‑known has little, if any, bearing on that matter. In our opinion the ordinary and reasonable consumer would be very unlikely to confuse the two marks irrespective of whether they knew of BBNT. and [85] ....  It is true that “bed” and “bath” are not used purely as category descriptors in the House B&B mark. This is because they form part of a trade mark and function when placed next to the word “House” as a trade mark. But that does not mean that the ordinary consumer would not also understand “BED & BATH” to be describing the nature of the products on sale in the store. The fact that those words had not previously been used as part of a brand name or on the outside of a store except by BBNT does not make it likely that the ordinary and reasonable consumer would think that no other trader could do so without being associated in some way with BBNT. In any event, even if ordinary reasonable consumers associate the words “BED & BATH” with BBNT, we do not think they would be misled into thinking that the two businesses are associated given the significant differences between the two names. The ordinary and reasonable consumer would do no more than infer that both businesses were engaged in the supply of soft homewares for bedrooms and bathrooms. The Full Court also continued its cautious approach to inferring a misrepresentation on the basis of Australian Woollen Mills - if the respondent intends to mislead or deceive, it is expert evidence that the conduct will be misleading. Global Retail Brands Australia Pty Ltd v Bed Bath ‘N' Table Pty Ltd [2024] FCAFC 139 https://lnkd.in/gUimwwxr

🎄 Pre-Christmas shopping lessons from the Sth Melbourne Market 🎄 This afternoon I visited the fabulous South Melbourne Market to pre-order prawns for Christmas. But here’s where it got interesting: Each fish shop had a different approach to pre-orders: Shop 1️⃣ Minimum order of $200. Shop 2️⃣ Minimum order of $300. Shop 3️⃣ No pre-orders—just come in three days before Christmas and hope for the best. I totally understand having a minimum order, especially during busy times like Christmas. But all I wanted was 2kg of prawns, and none of the options fit what I needed. The result? None of these shops got my business today. It made me wonder: In times of economic pressure and “hard times,” is saying no to business the best approach? Could there have been a way to capture smaller sales without compromising operations or profit margins? As a sales consultant, this interaction highlighted something we often talk about: balancing your business rules with customer needs. •Are your rules too rigid to adapt to changing customer demands? •Are you leaving money on the table by not offering alternatives or flexibility? Sometimes a small sale today builds loyalty and bigger sales tomorrow. Food for thought as we all navigate challenging times. What do you think? Have you encountered situations where business rules turned customers away? #SalesStrategy #CustomerExperience #FlexibilityInBusiness #CustomerNeeds #SalesLessons #EconomicPressure #RetailTips #FoodForThought #SalesCoaching

Top 7 Must-Have Items to Purchase in New York City: A Shopper’s Guide

This is the best kind of feedback to receive 🎉 ... ‘The new designs have had only positive feedback and has given the business a new lease of life. It shows clear movement to our customers that we’re not sitting still and resting on our lorals.’ ‘I think it’s built more of a brand following as well, we sold out of nearly all the retail t-shirts which is great but also creates another side to the business with merchandise.’ (Owner of Cut The Mustard, London, UK.) I’ve been nervous to share more client testimony/feedback, but often clients are able to summarise how valuable the design work is in such a great way 👌. #brandingagency #foodandbeverage #brandingstudio #foodbrands #coffeeshop #bakerybranding

Never buy furniture from Ashley HomeStore, especially those owned by Dufresne Spencer Group in multiple states. Customers have reported a Bait and Switch Scam, receiving junk or broken furniture instead of new items. When requesting a refund, they evade responsibility. Beware of false claims on Extended Warranties and Manufacturer's Warranties. Don't fall for excuses like "Normal Wear and Tear" on furniture only 3 months old. Check reviews on BBB, TrustPilot, Consumer Affairs, YELP, and Glassdoor for genuine feedback. Avoid relying on reviews directly from Ashley's site or Google, as they have been known to manipulate their own reviews.

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧! 📘 Yes, that spot. Remember? It's that magazine joint right at the entrance to Holland Village in Singapore. Been there forever, like over 80 years. But guess what? They're closing shop this Sunday, May 5th. 📙 Every time I swing by Holland V, I have to make a pit stop there. It's like a tradition, grabbing the latest Monocle or browsing through the rainbow of magazines on display. 📗 Print business is not a walk in the park these days. Everyone's all about digital this and digital that. For me, I still love a good old-fashioned magazine/book but I've also got a soft spot for ebooks. 📕 But here's the thing: to stand out or even survive, these magazines have to bring something special to the table. Can't just be your run-of-the-mill titles relying on ads. Ought to have content with an unique angle. 📓 But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. The owner's crossing their fingers for a new spot in Holland V. So, if you're a landlord or know someone who is, maybe think about adding this iconic shop to your lineup. Maybe mix it up with a different format, who knows? Here are some quick facts about Thambi Magazine Store: 📚 Store owner, Periathambi Senthilmurugan (or better known as Sam) 📚 Started by Sam's grandpa in the 1940s 📚 Store officially opened in 1996 Wishing Sam all the best in finding his new spot! >>>>>>>>> Till the next one. I'm Kelvin C.. 👋 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗖𝗦. Your support will motivate me to continue delivering valuable content for you! :) 🔔 Follow Me for a regular dose of retail and marketing share. >>>>>>>>>> #retail #retailnews #retailsingapore #hollandvillage #magazines #ccpn #kelvinc https://lnkd.in/g4zQKjuW