AmeriLux Family of Companies’ Post

Now that I’ve entered my second month of “semi-retirement,” I can now reflect on the closing of the Dotcom Distribution/Ryder chapter of my career. While my 30+ year career in D2C and Omni-channel distribution began before Al Gore invented the Internet (remember the catalog industry?), the last 20+ years were often the best of times and the worst of times as we launched and kept Dotcom Distribution going and growing facing a myriad of challenges until its acquisition by Ryder in 2023.  We went from being an unknown start-up to one of just a handful of 3PLs that were called on to handle some of the fastest growing ecommerce brands. In more recent years, we lagged behind other competitors that were able to invest, expand and grow along with the industry. While Ryder will take Dotcom to the next level and write the next chapter, it’s a meaningful time to reflect on the people that made the last 20+ years at Dotcom possible. I’m grateful to all of our clients, many of which became friends, who believed in us and gave Dotcom a chance to succeed. I’m proud of what we were able to achieve together as partners. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the “Dotcomers” that were a huge part of my story. From the managers that I stood shoulder to shoulder with in the early years to the newer team members that are doing some of the best work ever, I thank you all for your help, support and friendship – and putting up with my unique sense of humor. It has certainly been an amazing ride with plenty of successes and challenges that all look a bit better from today’s vantage point. With that I’ll say best of luck and continued success to all!! As far as my “semi-retirement” goes, I’m consulting with brands on their parcel strategy and helping to solve problems with existing 3PLs or finding a new one. If you know anyone that wants faster shipping along with better service and lower costs or just needs help with their 3PL, have them drop me a line at doug.sternberg@outlook.com. Cheers and all the best,   Doug

Really fun to work on stuff that you can see on the shelves. B2B is fun and on the marketing side often underserviced or completely forgotten about, making for huge opportunities and upside. Growth is totally gettable and it's fun to see brands impacted by even the smallest introduction of GOOD marketing. The B2C side is still refreshing, though, not only because you can see the products you're working on, but also because the consideration cycles are generally shorter and volumes higher. Introduce little changes here and there and you can see results almost instantly...well instantly compared to the B2B world. Lots of fun working with the Bernz team!

Exciting news for Home Hardware customers! 🛒🎉 Did you know you can now redeem Scene points in-store and online? Earn 50 points for every $50 spent or get 2x the Scene+ points for every $1 spent using the Scene+ Visa Card. It's a rewarding partnership that makes your shopping experience even better. Happy shopping and earning! 💳 #HomeHardware #ScenePoints #ShoppingRewards

🌟 Celebrating a Milestone with Scherpenberg! 🌟 Four years ago, Scherpenberg chose Woby as their partner to enhance their guest experience. It’s been a rewarding journey seeing their growth and how our collaboration has brought about significant changes. Last year, we introduced Scherpenberg to our upselling feature, a step we believed would unlock new potentials. And the results speak for themselves - an impressive increase in revenue! But there’s more to this success story. One delightful outcome has been the seamless integration of customer choices; guests no longer miss out on pairing their favorite apple pie with a delicious cup of coffee, especially when they order on their own smartphone. This success story is a testament to the power of innovative solutions and strong partnerships. Scherpenberg's achievement is not just in numbers but in the enhanced experience for their guests. It’s about creating moments that matter, one apple pie and coffee at a time, facilitated by the convenience of self-ordering technology. We’re proud to be part of Scherpenberg’s journey and excited for what the future holds! #CustomerSuccess #Innovation #Woby #GrowthStory #Hospitality #SelfOrdering #Upselling

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Thursday, April 11: 🏬 Macy's settles proxy fight with activist Arkhouse, adds two of the firm’s nominees as directors. Arkhouse is also in the middle of negotiating with the department store about a possible sale that would take Macy’s private. 🔌 Best Buy laid off Geek Squad field agents, home-theater repair technicians and phone support specialists last week, according to current and former employees. The layoffs come amid a restructuring that includes new uses for AI. 📈 Stubborn US inflation dents hopes for imminent Fed interest rate cut. The consumer-price index, driven by fuel and housing costs, rose 0.4% from February, higher than the 0.3% expected. 👚 Lands' End’ End is on track to swing to an annual profit for the first time in three years, following a pandemic slump, by nudging customers who love a good discount to pay full price. 👔 Ted Baker’s American licensing partner is reportedly the lead contender to take control of the business’s embattled British arm.  OSL is eyeing up a deal which could see the business take over dozens of shops. 👗 After several years of financial struggles, clothing-rental platform Rent The Runway on Wednesday said it expected breakeven free cash flow this year, following cost cuts and signs of a revival in shoppers’ enthusiasm. 💳 Department stores and other retailers will feel the impact of a new federal rule, which caps credit card late fees at $8. Analysts say department stores will get squeezed more by the rule, since their revenue is already under pressure. 🧴 Jessica Alba to step down as chief creative officer of The Honest Company The founder, who remains a board member, moves on as the brand’s leadership says recent turnaround efforts are working. 💰 Costco Wholesale saw a 9.4% sales boost in the five weeks through April 7, driven by a surge in e-commerce activity. March sales amounted to $23.5 billion, up from $21.5 billion a year before. 😔 Gen Z is full of financial angst despite inheriting a golden job market. Gen Z is coming into the workforce and they’re complaining about how much easier older generations had it. 🥗 Maison Solutions buys Arizona grocer for $22 million. The acquisition of Lee Lee Oriental Supermart will add $70 million in annual revenue to Maison, effectively doubling its sales. ✉️ The US Postal Service is proposing another increase in stamp prices. The agency has laid out a slew of price hikes it aims to implement in July, saying they would amount to roughly 7.8% increases across mailing services. 📱 Sam's Club is launching a new partnership with T-Mobile, which will become the club’s exclusive wireless provider. T-Mobile is expanding its retail presence by launching in nearly all Sam’s Club locations. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

100 years and counting! I've been with Kimball Midwest for over 9 years (9% of the company's history, but who's counting?). This article does a great job of highlighting just how Kimball Midwest has thrived for a century - a strong culture and a commitment to its people. Sales growth is great, longevity is great, but without a strong culture, who cares about results? But hey, don't take my word for it - just ask Selling Power Magazine where we rank on their Top 50 Companies to Sell For (#19 btw). Last note that I'll highlight when it comes to being a People Business - Kimball Midwest has been in business for a long time (100 years, remember?). In that time we have had exactly 0 layoffs. 100 years. 0 layoffs.👀

The TJX Companies, Inc. stands at a digital crossroads, affirming that not all retail spaces are tailor-made for the online realm. The internet reshaped our shopping landscape, compelling brands to adapt, yet not every store seamlessly fits into the digital equation. Enter TJX—a titan offering T.J. Maxx, MARSHALLS LLC, Homegoods, and more, both in-store and online. But here's the twist: Homegoods' online chapter recently closed, causing a slight 3% dent in TJX's earnings during Q3 of 2023. Why the shutdown? The magic of Homegoods lies in its in-store allure—an unparalleled treasure-hunt experience challenging to replicate virtually. TJX's strategy? Bolster thriving in-store ventures like Homegoods, boasting a 9% sales uptick in the third quarter, fueled by increased foot traffic. While the retail landscape leans towards savings, TJX's off-price appeal shines through. Despite online hurdles, TJX's prudent decision reflects robust management—a commitment to reinforce successful ventures. Join the retail revolution—a testament to TJX's adaptive strategies navigating the ever-changing consumer landscape. Will other big chain adopt this way of thinking? Intriguing times lie ahead in the retail realm, that's for sure. *** #TJX #Homegoods #Online #Store #Closed #News #Business #Retail

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🚪🏡 Conn's HomePlus is closing its doors for good. The #retailer is shutting down all 170+ stores across 15 states following Chapter 11 bankruptcy, impacting over 4,000 employees. The latest round of closures affects locations from Texas to Florida. #RetailNews #Conn'sHomePlus #StoreClosures #Bankruptcy #HomeGoods #RetailTrends

Trent Ltd Soars: 15x Profit Growth & 51% Revenue Jump! Trent Limited, the company behind your favorite stores like Westside, Zudio, and Star, just crushed it this quarter! Here's why you should be optimistic: Profits Skyrocket: Net profit jumped a whopping 15 times year-over-year to a staggering Rs 712 crore. * Sales Surge: Revenue soared by an impressive 51% to a healthy Rs 3,298 crore. * Expansion Spree: The company opened a massive 86 new Zudio stores and 12 new Westside stores, reaching 25 new cities! * Strong Growth Across Segments: Even their Star business saw a 30% revenue increase, proving their diverse portfolio is thriving. * Rewarding Shareholders: The Board proposed a generous 320% dividend, a sweet thank you to investors. The future looks bright for Trent! Their commitment to expansion, diverse offerings, and a strong focus on customer engagement positions them for continued success. #TrentLimited #fashionretail #GrowthStory #Investing