The Robin Report

🚨 Amazon to Open Four Amazon Fresh Stores ... Really? Amazon has pretty much game-changed the retail model, is a terrific retailer, and we've applauded their willingness to test new concepts. But we’ve taken them to task when it comes to physical stores, testing aside. They've been playing around with their grocery strategy for what seems like forever without any impressive breakthroughs — continuing to dole out a few stores here and there without any real results as a player in this space. That said, these four new locations in New Jersey are the first new stores from the Amazon Worldwide Grocery Group (led by Tony Hoggett) integrating the forces of Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods. But they still have a long way to go with a grocery fleet now up to ~50 stores, compared to the thousands and thousands of Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons locations — not to mention Aldi and Lidl. As the second-biggest retailer in the world, they are running behind. Even though this could be a turnaround strategy, up to now it’s a big retail miss. #RetailNews #RetailTechnology #RetailTrends

(🎙️🎧 31m39s) Tune in for an insightful 3-way analysis of how retail is reenergizing urban economies, including: ✅ Trends in commercial real estate + urban development ✅ Real-world challenges + opportunities for urban retail development ✅ How mixed-use spaces can improve CX + bring value to owners ✅ What brands + retailers can do to tap into this trend With special guests Jennifer Peterson (Community Engagement Chief at Edwards Companies) and Brian Bernstein (Principal of REALM Collaborative). New podcast every Friday. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gwatTtEa #RetailTrends #RetailDesign #RetailMarketing Hosted by Shelley E. Kohan

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀. There is a vital human feature that that's often absent in people and, alarmingly impossible to teach: common sense and good judgment. With 30+ years of career experience and 18 years teaching at Columbia Business School, Mark Cohen shares his industry observations and lessons from his classroom. See the big picture and why it matters: https://lnkd.in/eEyWUQun #RetailLeadership #RetailManagement #RetailNews

𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. The research reveals that synthetic clothing contributes approximately 7.4 million metric tons of plastic pollution annually — 14% of the total plastic leakage into the environment. But there’s a silver lining. Learn what organizations can do to reverse the plastic leakage tide and contribute to making our planet safer and healthier. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eR482uQY #FashionRetail #FashionSustainability #RetailNews

𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽 ♻️ "Things are finally winding down" - said no one ever in retail. Cut through the clutter and never miss an important industry update with our monthly retail newsletter — a curated collection of the top news, trends, and predictions from the month. No sales. No spam. Just straight insight. Shared at the start of every month.

As the ghosts and goblins make their return this fall, welcome Spirit Halloween, the retail industry's all-time biggest pop-up operation, and 𝗧𝗥𝗥'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸. Always ahead of time, it started opening more than 1,500 locations (a record) this week with some 50,000 employees. They will operate for about 90 days, and then get all packed up overnight until next year, same time... often in the same place at roadside and empty storefront locations. It's a remarkable achievement for privately held parent company, Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc., which operates over 600 year-round, namesake gift specialty stores in the U.S. and Canada offering hot-topic novelty gifts. In an era when most retailers struggle to open a few dozen stores a year, Spencer makes it look easy. It's a genius logistics trick...and a profitable treat for Spencer. #RetailNews #RetailMarketing #RetailInsight

(🎙️🎧 24m3s) 𝗔𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝘀 — sharing the keys behind the retailer's 100 years of success! Listen and learn as we dissect what makes Ace's tried-and-true business model truly unique (and clearly resilient). Plus, a deep dive into its new store concept: Elevate Ace. New podcast every Friday. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gvVgWxAS #RetailDesign #ExperienceDesign #RetailLeadership John Venhuizen | Hosted by Shelley E. Kohan

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱. Consider this your guide to cut through the clutter — a curated collection of AI advancements worth the investment. The report identifies the retailers and brands that are successfully investing in AI to push the retail industry forward in ways that make shopping easier and more delightful for customers. Summary + full report, right this way: https://lnkd.in/eEFsK_Ue #RetailTechnology #RetailInnovation #RetailNews

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘄/ 𝗔𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗖𝗘𝗢 (𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄). Check back Friday for our latest episode discussing how the company has transformed from a family-owned business to a global cooperative throughout the last 100 years ... ... Including an inside scoop on the retailer's new store concept: Elevate Ace. New episode every Friday. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gQ3e3yTw #RetailNews #RetailDesign #RetailMarketing Hosted by Shelley E. Kohan

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁. While many believe the impact of elections influences consumer confidence and spending habits, it’s factually not true. The reality, however, is that this holiday season retailers will still be grappling with labor shortages and increased labor costs. Read on as we break down the preview of Fall pricing across retail + CPG industries. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eGNjbieb #RetailNews #RetailTrends #RetailLeadership