The People Of’s Post

🗞 What’s been happening in retail this week? 🗞 👗 Marks and Spencer is set to trial a clothing-only store at Battersea Power Station, targeting Gen Z shoppers after a rise in sales from this demographic. Opening this autumn, the boutique-style store will feature curated fashion, beauty products, and personalised styling advice. 🏬 Sainsbury's is acquiring 10 Homebase stores in a £130m deal, adding 235,000 sq ft to its supermarket space and bringing nearly 400,000 more people within a 10-minute drive of its stores. The conversion will create 1,000 jobs and feature Sainsbury’s latest food and sustainability innovations by late 2025. 📉 QUIZ Clothing reported a 10.6% drop in revenue to £82m and a pre-tax loss of £6.7m for the year ending March 2024. The retailer attributed the losses to inflationary pressures and is now focusing on a turnaround strategy under new CEO Sheraz Ramzan. 👟 schuh is enhancing disability inclusion by allowing shoppers with disabilities or limb differences to buy single shoes at a 50% discount across all stores, online, or by phone. ♻️ IKEA is trialling a resale website, Ikea Preowned, in Madrid and Oslo, allowing customers to buy and sell second-hand furniture. The platform will go global by December, supporting Ikea’s sustainability goals. ♻️ eBay is planning its first pre-loved Fashion Week in London and New York putting a spotlight on second-hand designer fashion. They will host live shoppable runway shows ahead of the spring summer 2025. 👕 H&M has wiped its Instagram account ahead of the launch of its new autumn/winter collection next month. Followed by 38.3 million people, up until a couple of days ago the page was completely blank with the date ‘12092024’ left in the bio, which coincides with the global launch. 📺 The Very Group launched its first fashion advert in seven years with an autumn campaign on 29 August. The campaign, through its Haus of Flamingo platform, showcases key trends and aims to capture demand for autumn wear, as customer interest in coats, knitwear, and boots rises. 🌏 Frasers Group acquired a 14.7% stake in the Australia and New Zealand-based Accent Group Limited. This investment supports Frasers’ ambitions to become a global sports retail leader, expanding its presence in key markets with brands like Skechers, UGG, and Vans. 💷 Ocado Retail launched its sixth Big Price Drop, cutting prices on 450 products, including Heinz Baked Beans and Nescafe Gold, by an average of 17%. This initiative, alongside the Tesco Price Promise, aims to offer more value to customers. 👩🌾 Dobbies Garden Centres is reportedly working on restructuring proposals as it considers store closures and rent reductions. Dobbies, which is controlled by Ares Management Corporation, has appointed FTI Consulting to advise on a restructuring plan according to Sky. This is just a selection of news this week. Sign up below for more insight ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/d-z25aM

Current Fashion Trends in the Indian Retail Industry:- The Indian fashion retail industry is currently witnessing a dynamic shift, driven by a confluence of factors like evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and economic growth. Here are some of the prominent trends shaping the landscape: * E-commerce Dominance: Online shopping has become the preferred choice for many Indians, particularly millennials and Gen Z. E-commerce platforms offer a wider range of products, competitive pricing, and the convenience of home delivery, contributing to their increasing popularity. * Rise of Private Labels: Indian retailers are increasingly focusing on developing their own private label brands. This strategy allows them to control product quality, pricing, and design, offering unique and often more affordable options to consumers. * Focus on Sustainability: With growing environmental consciousness, consumers are increasingly seeking sustainable and ethical fashion choices. Brands that prioritize eco-friendly materials, fair labor practices, and responsible sourcing are gaining traction. * Experiential Retail: To counter the rise of e-commerce, brick-and-mortar stores are transforming into experiential spaces. Retailers are incorporating interactive elements, personalized services, and unique in-store events to attract customers and create memorable shopping experiences. * Integration of Technology: Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the Indian fashion retail industry. From AI-powered personalized recommendations to virtual try-on experiences, retailers are leveraging technology to enhance the customer journey and boost sales. * Growing Demand for Ethnic Wear: While Western wear continues to be popular, there is a resurgence of interest in traditional Indian attire. Brands are modernizing ethnic wear with contemporary designs and fabrics, appealing to a wider audience. * Focus on Tier II and III Cities: With rising disposable incomes and increasing internet penetration, the demand for fashion in smaller cities is growing rapidly. Retailers are expanding their presence in these regions to tap into this burgeoning market. These trends are likely to continue shaping the Indian fashion retail industry in the coming years, offering both challenges and opportunities for businesses to adapt and thrive.

Why Boutiques and Clothing Stores Struggle - and How to Avoid Their Fate I have seen the rise and fall of countless boutiques and clothing stores. While the allure of running your own fashion business can be enticing, the harsh reality is that the odds are stacked against small fashion retailers. 1. Lack of Differentiation One of the biggest challenges facing boutiques is standing out in a saturated market. With large fashion chains and e-commerce giants dominating the landscape, it can be incredibly difficult for a small, independent store to carve out a unique niche. Successful boutiques are those that offer a truly differentiated product assortment, shopping experience, or brand identity that can't be easily replicated. 2. Poor Inventory Management Striking the right balance between too much and too little inventory is a constant battle for clothing retailers. Overbuying can lead to excess inventory that eats away at profits, while underbuying can result in lost sales. Boutiques often lack the sophisticated forecasting and planning capabilities of bigger chains, leaving them vulnerable to stock-outs or overstocks. 3. High Rent and Operating Costs Rent is often the biggest expense for brick-and-mortar clothing stores, and boutiques in desirable, high-traffic locations can face astronomical lease rates. Coupled with other fixed costs like labor, utilities, and insurance, the financial burden of maintaining a physical storefront can quickly become unsustainable, especially for small businesses with thin profit margins. 4. Failure to Adapt to Changing Consumer Trends The fashion industry moves at a breakneck pace, with constantly evolving consumer preferences and shopping behaviors. Boutiques that can't keep up with these changes - whether it's a shift toward more casual, sustainable styles or the rise of e-commerce - risk becoming irrelevant and losing market share. 5. Inadequate Marketing and Customer Engagement Many boutique owners are passionate about fashion but lack expertise in areas like digital marketing, social media, and customer relationship management. Failing to effectively promote the brand, build a loyal customer base, and foster ongoing engagement can severely limit a boutique's growth and long-term viability. So, what's the path forward for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs who want to avoid the common pitfalls of boutique failure? Here are a few key strategies: - Focus on a Distinct, Defensible Niche - Invest in Inventory Planning and Management Systems - Explore Alternative Retail Models (e.g., pop-ups, online-only) - Stay Agile and Adaptable to Industry Trends - Prioritize Marketing, Branding, and Customer Engagement You'll be well on your way to bucking the trend and building a thriving, sustainable fashion business. Let me know if you have any other questions. #boutique #clothingstore #fashion

We often discuss the difference in connotation between terms like "used" and "pre-owned" when buying cars—and the same idea applies to the term "pre-loved" for secondhand/vintage clothing. The pre-loved fashion industry is now valued at nearly $44 billion, and we're sharing this article by Jenn Szekely, President of Coley Porter Bell, for Retail TouchPoints highlighting the evolution of this sector. Pioneers like eBay paved the way, but more modern platforms such as Poshmark, Mercari, Inc., ThredUp, and Vinted have elevated the space with innovative branding and community-driven experiences. Major retailers like Zara (via its "Pre-Owned" platform), NET-A-PORTER, and Patagonia (with its "Worn Wear" program) have also joined the movement. We're aware there are many more brands that have introduced their own secondhand initiatives, such as The North Face's "Renewed" program and lululemon's "Like New" resale shop. The pre-loved concept, widely embraced by #GenZ, reflects the sustainability-focused mindset that's been shaping consumer behavior. Brands like Mercari and Poshmark have stood out through differentiation: Mercari US recently opened a physical store in Los Angeles, creating a special space for in-person reselling events, while Poshmark amplifies its reach with high-profile partnerships, collaborating with names like #SerenaWilliams, Coach, and Reformation. As competition grows, further brand innovation and technology will be essential for continued success. It’s inspiring to see a younger generation of consumers reframe "secondhand" as something stylish and truly desirable. #consumertrends #circulareconomy #futureofretail #resale #sustainability

I appreciate Zara's initiative to introduce a pre-owned clothing service in the US. Fast Fashion's impact on the environment is concerning, with 85% of textiles being discarded annually and half of fast fashion items disposed of within a year. It's alarming that people are wearing clothes for fewer times before discarding them. The shift towards pre-owned clothing is evident, with over 40% of Millennials and Gen Z embracing it. The US resale market is growing rapidly, expanding 11 times faster than traditional retail, with over 25,000 thrift and second-hand stores in the country. Zara, it's commendable to see you taking steps towards sustainability. Opening retail stores for pre-owned clothing could further promote this cause. I would love to see you in shopping Olivia Igwe, what are your thoughts on this trend, and do your clients also embrace second-hand clothing? #preowned #secondhandclothing #genz #millennials #retail #retailer #sustainable #fastfashion #TopRetailExpert #trends #resale International Retail Group, LLC Zara Olivia Igwe Torben Valsted Audra Lamoon F.I.T.O.LShannon Quilty, CSM Chris Igwe Melissa Moore Steve Johnson

Now that our beloved holiday shopping season is almost upon us, I wanted to share some reflections from the BoF x McKinsey "State of Fashion 2025" Report: 🔎 AI-Powered Discovery: Solving the “Paradox of Choice” - Can the infinite scroll be solved by AI? Brands and retailers are looking for ways to leverage personalization tools to curate their online site experience and drive higher conversions. After all, there’s no reason a mother of two in Dallas, TX should see the same online assortment at Saks as a 25 year-old art gallerist in downtown NYC.   - Recently in the news: digitally-native resale platforms such as Vestiaire Collective and ThredUp have invested heavily in AI discovery and personalization, particularly given the unique inventory dynamics in secondhand. 👜 The In-Store Revival: Making Shopping Personal Again - People still love shopping in person—when it’s done right. Brands empowering staff to act as knowledgeable guides and clienteling experts (instead of just checkout clerks) are creating high-touch and high-conversion experiences.  - Case in point: Bottega Veneta just announced their new "VIC" Residence on Madison Ave to cater to their crown jewel customers. - And wholesale partners matter, too: despite their initial DTC approach, Phoebe Philo has now made a significant push into wholesale doors, incl. a new store-in-store concept at DOVER STREET MARKET (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED. It seems in spite of the recent luxury slump, brands and retailers are doubling down on highly curated, personalized and experiential touchpoints. #FashionTech #Sustainability #RetailInnovation #StateofFashion

In the shifting landscape of retail, a new narrative is emerging. Contrary to the tales of decline among major chain stores, a wave of nimble, e-commerce-born brands is poised to revitalize the brick-and-mortar experience. These innovative players recognize the irreplaceable value of face-to-face customer engagement and are seizing the opportunity to extend their digital presence into tangible retail spaces nationwide. This pivot is a beacon of optimism, signaling a renaissance rather than a retreat in the retail sector. Retail isn’t fading away; it’s undergoing a transformation. As the industry adapts, a cohort of forward-thinking brands is stepping into the limelight. Recently, CNBC spotlighted a selection of these trailblazers as they venture from the virtual realm into the physical retail arena. Cuyana - Championing the philosophy of “fewer, better things,” this women’s fashion label has already established three storefronts, adding a tactile dimension to its minimalist ethos. Untuckit - With a robust national footprint, Untuckit is on track to reach a milestone of 50 stores, reinforcing its commitment to casual, yet refined menswear. Rebag - Transitioning from pop-up experiments to permanent locations, Rebag’s New York boutiques mirror the luxury of the designer handbags they curate. Outdoor Voices - A rising star in athletic wear, Outdoor Voices is not just settling into the retail scene but ambitively planning a store in every state. MM.LaFleur - After a successful pop-up trial, MM.LaFleur’s New York outpost has become a mainstay, celebrated for its exceptional service and chic women’s attire. Adore Me - Originally an online lingerie startup, Adore Me sets its sights on a bold expansion, aiming to unveil up to 300 stores to rival industry giants. Suit Supply - With a global presence spanning continents, Suit Supply is tailoring its growth strategy for an even broader reach within the U.S. market. Thredup - From its origins as a digital thrift shop, Thredup is weaving its way into the fabric of retail with plans for over 100 stores, starting with its Texas pioneer. As these brands redefine the shopping experience, they remind us that innovation is the cornerstone of evolution in retail.

Zara jumps into the Circular Economy. 👉🏽 Zara launched its secondhand clothing marketplace, Zara Pre-Owned, in the U.S. in October 👉🏽 The Pre-Owned initiative allows customers to sell, donate, or repair secondhand clothing. 👉🏽 This launch is part of a trend among retailers to enhance sustainability practices. 👉🏽 Research shows that 52% of millennials increasingly purchase secondhand items, driven by financial challenges and budget constraints. 👉🏽 Secondhand shopping is seen as a cost-effective option for millennials due to high living costs and student debt. 👉🏽 Online marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp are popular for resale shopping, with eBay reporting increased consumer engagement. 👉🏽 Zara also plans to introduce live shopping broadcasts in the U.S. and other major markets following success in China. 👉🏽 Live shopping aims to attract new customers as sales normalize after a post-pandemic surge.

The Future of Fashion: Trends Shaping In-Store and Online Sales The fashion industry is a dynamic landscape, continuously evolving to meet the shifting desires of consumers. Today, we see an intriguing convergence between mainstream and luxury fashion, with trends influencing both sectors and impacting in-store and online sales. Let's explore the key trends driving fashion forward and their impact on retail success. Sustainability Takes Center Stage The Trend Eco-consciousness is now central for both mainstream and luxury brands. Consumers demand ethically sourced materials, transparency, and a reduced environmental footprint. In-Store Impact Expect more stores to offer recycled or organic clothing lines, with sustainable practices highlighted in displays and staff training. Online Impact E-commerce websites will feature detailed information about materials, production processes, and ethical certifications. Second-Hand Steals the Spotlight The Trend The pre-loved market is thriving as consumers seek unique, conscious shopping options, that appeal to both mainstream and luxury shoppers. In-Store Impact Look for dedicated vintage sections and pop-up shops showcasing pre-loved luxury items. Online Impact Online consignment platforms and peer-to-peer marketplaces for pre-loved fashion will continue growing. Comfort Reigns Supreme The Trend The pandemic's influence persists, with comfort and versatility as top priorities. Casual wear and athleisure remain key, even for luxury brands. In-Store Impact Stores will emphasize comfortable fabrics, relaxed fits, and multi-functional garments. Online Impact: E-commerce platforms will see increased sales of loungewear, athleisure, and casual wear. Personalization is King (and Queen) The Trend Consumers crave personalized shopping experiences, with customized clothing and curated recommendations becoming vital for both mainstream and luxury brands. In-Store Impact Expect technology integration, enabling virtual try-on experiences and personalized recommendations. Online Impact Advanced recommendation algorithms will offer curated product suggestions based on individual preferences. The Future is Phygital The lines between online and in-store shopping are blurring. Consumers expect a seamless omnichannel experience, with the ability to browse online, try on in-store, and purchase either way. Brands must invest in a robust online presence that complements their physical stores. In-store services like click-and-collect and online appointment booking will become standard. By understanding these trends and adapting their strategies, mainstream and luxury fashion brands can thrive in the evolving retail landscape. The future belongs to those who cater to the conscious consumer, valuing style and sustainability, comfort and convenience, and a personalized shopping experience across all channels.

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Thursday, June 20: 🏥 RITE AID is looking to close over two dozen more stores in two states. The drugstore filed a notice of additional closing stores identifying a total of 27 locations in Michigan and Ohio that it has added to the chopping block. 👗 The arrival of summer weather and some good deals and discounts around Memorial Day helped to stimulate spending on apparel in May. Shoppers are looking for bargains and value when they spend. 🥫 Is Lidl poised to finally turn the corner in the US? Lidl US has new changes underway, including a broad update of its assortment, as it looks to adapt its model to better suit the American consumer. 🏭 Department store chain JCPenney has announced a $40m investment in upgrading its Reno distribution centre in Nevada, US. This is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at streamlining supply chain operations.\ 📦 Amazon intends to invest €10bn ($10.75bn) in its cloud and logistics services in Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the investment that should create more than 4,000 jobs this year. 👖 After a 15-year hiatus, Limited Too, the popular mall classic from the early 2000s, is making a comeback just in time for back-to-school shopping. It is set to relaunch in July, but no further details have been provided. 🏅 Ralph Lauren has unveiled Team USA’s Olympic and Paralympic uniforms. The opening ceremony attire consists of pants and a wool, double-breasted, navy blue jacket with red and white trim. 👟 Nike has increased its paid parental leave benefit from eight to 16 weeks for all US-based employee. For the first time, this benefit will extend to part-time retail employees. 🧴 Space NK has sold off its US division to distribution firm PCA Companies for an undisclosed sum.The British beauty retailer has nearly 600 points of sale in the US, including in Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. 👰🏼 Kleinfeld Bridal is rolling out KleinfeldAgain, an online marketplace to sell and buy pre-owned wedding dresses. The new digital resale experience is available globally and designed to promote circular fashion. 🚚 Shipt has added a pair of features to its platform: the ability for shoppers to build individualized lists of products they want to buy and the option to select items to be automatically added to their cart on a regular basis. ⛽️ Gasoline prices tend to rise during the peak summer driving season, but Americans may be in luck this year.  Prices likely peaked in mid-April at a high of $3.67 per gallon — and are expected to continue falling in coming weeks. 🚙 A cyber incident at data provider CDK Global, whose software is used at 15,000 auto dealers, hampered operations Wednesday at US and Canada dealerships, the company said. 📉 Mortgage rates fell below 7% last week for the first time since March. The rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell from 7.02% to 6.94%. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews