Results Count ... everything else is conversation.

Differentiate … or Die!

Retailers can no longer be all things … they must stand out to survive

Today, we as consumers have unprecedented choice in where we shop, how we shop and when we shop. If you are mostly concerned about finding a good deal, you have tremendous flexibility of being able to comparison shop across regular and virtual stores. In fact, you don't have to shop in a store at all. An "app" can search out the best deal and where to procure it. The days of "lazy merchandising" of merely putting products on shelves are gone. To survive in retail today, a retailer must stand both out, and stand for at least two key differentiators.

India – A land of diversity in culture and retailing

Will deregulation change the face of India's retail?

Image Creator: Smarnad; Freedigitalphotos.net

My last stop on my 2012 worldwide tour of retail was Delhi, India this past week. The diverse culture heritage of India's past is reflected in its cities and markets today. This diversity is reflected in everything from food to retailing. Now that India's Parliament voted to allow entry of foreign Big Box retailers, will the 11+ million small shops survive the onslaught of the "whales of retail" … aka Walmart, Tesco and others?

Paraprosdokian phrases for life … and retailing today

Perhaps Yogi had it right all along – Nostalgia ain't what it used to be

On my third 15+ hour flight to Africa this year, I decided that it was time for a different kind of post. I've written about trends in retailing. I have recently reported on retail best practices from around the world. We've covered the essentials of consumer experience and what it takes to be successful in retail. Maybe it's time to boil it all down to some good ole "Paraprosdokian" phrases. What, you say?   Ride along and see how Yogi Berra might have actually had some profound insights for life … and retail.

Updating the “Sound Bites” for the changing face of retail

Retail is still detail, but it is being transformed by social media

By Heather Lantz   

Many of you may have seen me at IMS Retail University workshops. I've had an opportunity to work with Chris Petersen for the last 16 years putting together courses for thousands of participants. Heather Lantz often appears on the IMS list of Retail U resources, but last week I had an opportunity to personally lead another Retail University workshop on social media. During these workshops, I rediscovered how important the "sound bites" are in capturing both the essence and challenge of retailing. In teaching our social media workshop, I found that there a host of new sound bites for this social age of retail, where the consumer is now in charge.

Brazil – Retail lessons from the land of beef

Rapid sales growth can cover retail “sins” of omission

While in much of the world economies and retail are still in recovery mode, Brazil is a bull of an economy.  Brazil is bold, brazen and the land of where “beef is truly what’s for dinner”.  Brazil has the highest GDP for Latin America, and now ranks in the top economies globally.  So, what does retail look like in a booming economy?  The Retail U Professor returns with insights, retail snapshots and glowing stories of "picanha"!    

Ukraine: A case study for emerging markets

It’s not just the west, retail is changing everywhere 

I’m always excited about the opportunity to take IMS retail workshops on the road to other countries.  Last week I had opportunity to not only visit the Ukraine, but to meet with the senior management from top retailers in this emerging market.  There are always some unique local challenges. However, there are more similarities than differences across retailers today.  At the end of the day, results count … no matter where your retail stores are located.

5,280 … Miles (Not Feet) From Home

IMS Retail University Heads to the Ukraine

In retail we usually talk about feet, that is, square foot metrics of a retailer.  And, you could say we have walked miles touring retail store fronts and sales floors worldwide.  But not this week, the IMS Retail U “professor” found himself 5, 280 miles from his homeland.  IMS Retail University had the opportunity and pleasure to facilitate several different workshops in Kiev, Ukraine.

“Emerging” retail markets are exploding …

Growth of the “small screen” moves retailing online

I always relish the opportunity to take Retail University courses abroad.  Inevitably, I find that the Professor learns as much as the students.  While much of US and western European retail has been homogenized by the large big box chains, Asia is truly a land of diversity in retailing. There is nothing like first-hand experience of visiting retail stores in Asia.  But, the biggest retail trend is not about stores … it’s happening online!  Read on to discover a new resource to watch the trends unfold in Asia.

Are you 1 of the 80% that will fail multi-channel?

#1 Challenge of retailing today - It ain’t what it used to be 

As I’m preparing for teaching a Retail University class in Singapore next week, I asked myself the question I always get asked:  What is the #1 challenge in retail today?  The answer use to be different by region.  But today, retail has become a multi-channel reality worldwide.  An interesting study by Gartner predicts that by 2015, 80% of retailers will fall flat in a multi-channel world.  What will retailers and suppliers need to do differently worldwide in order to succeed in retail by 2015?

The cancer eating local retail stores from within!

A retailer’s own website is biggest threat to their survival 

Image: Stuart Miles; Freedigitalphotos.net

Like 80% of consumers you go online to start shopping. You check out options and prices, but you go to the store to get firsthand experience. After getting some assistance from the retail sales person you make your choice AND then ask for the online price you saw on their web site.  Good for you, but it will be the kiss of death for the store if they give you the online price.