Catherine Baldwin’s Post

Small independent brands continue to disappear - without a trace or much fanfare. I wrote about this trend and the macro forces driving it last April for Apparel Insider. Sadly, nothing has fundamentally changed since I penned this piece. No one is tracking this or writing about it because many of these brands are too small to be captured by conventional data in any sort of timely manner if at all. These are micro businesses that will simply...disappear with little explanation or understanding. The problem is that we aren't thinking about the long-term implications of this troubling trend which will ultimately be more waste - the last thing we need. It's a climate issue. It's a policy issue. It's a data issue. It's a consumer education issue. You can't have a conversation about #sustainaiblity without addressing the role of #smallbusinesses - yet that connection is never made. Small is sustainable. Only it's getting harder and harder to actually sustain as a small business. Brett Mathews Jordyn Holman Christina Binkley David Billstrom https://lnkd.in/ga4stbaK

This belted inferior midi dress, 1 of the latest offerings from the large container retailer’s Free Assembly location brand, truly does cheque each those boxes I mentioned above. Style? Check: It boasts a operation of casual cargo detailing and pockets (pockets!) with a waist-cinching loop and midi-length skirt making this versatile fig a no-brainer for everyplace from the farmers marketplace to the bureau to a meal date. Quality? Check: Both colorways (loden greenish and navy) are made of substantially weighted 100% cotton, truthful you tin instrumentality lavation without worry. Affordability? Check: It’s conscionable $34. And lest you deliberation that statement designation can’t beryllium achieved astatine Walmart, deliberation again: Free Assembly is helmed by originative manager Brandon Maxwell (whom you whitethorn cognize for his eponymous, award-winning ready-to-wear line, oregon his relation arsenic Lady Gaga’s manner director). The frock is disposable successful sizes XS–XXXL. While a fewer shoppers weren’t into the dense worldly and the torso magnitude being shorter than expected, the resounding sentiment is decidedly glowing. (It has a 4.5-star standing overall.) You tin work connected for a fewer much rave reviews — oregon conscionable chopped to the pursuit and adhd it to your cart earlier it sells out. #innovation - #management - #technology - #creativity - #futurism - #startups

With recent news of The Body Shop store closures, (yes, we here at Pull are pretty sad about this) our CEO Chris Bullick dives into the rise and fall of The Body Shop as well as looking the timeline of the brand in detail & what could the brand have done to still be thriving today?💄 Want to know more? 🤔 Click the link here to have a read: https://lnkd.in/eVwfmUSC Were you a Body Shop lover? We would love to know your favourite go to product in the comments below!

🛍 Retail News On July 1st, Delta Apparel, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a Delaware court and the company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange the following day. Delta Apparel, the Georgia-based clothing manufacturer behind Salt Life—a favorite activewear brand among outdoor and waterborne enthusiasts—is facing significant challenges. The company has announced plans to potentially shut down 16 Salt Life locations across Florida if a sale of the brand does not occur in August, citing ongoing business and financial difficulties. Several other states including Alabama, California and South Carolina, have posted similar notices. Sources: CoStar News & Business Observer FL • #CommercialRealEstate #CREnews #Bankruptcy #BusinessUpdate #Chapter11 #RetailNews #TampaCRE #TampaBayCRE #TampaBayRealEstate #FloridaRealEstate #RetailLeasing

Bruce Nordstrom, a retail legend and the grandson of a Swedish immigrant, has passed away at 90. His grandfather, John W. Nordstrom, started a small shoe store in 1901 that Bruce would later transform into a retail powerhouse. Starting at the age of 9, Bruce swept floors, worked in the stockroom, and earned 25 cents an hour. Reflecting on those early days, he once said: "It was the Second World War, and I was sweeping floors, emptying shoeboxes, breaking them up, flattening them into bundles. It was hard work, as I was a skinny little guy". That skinny little guy, who loved retail and had an exceptional work ethic, would end up transforming his grandfather's shoe store into a retail powerhouse. I share this story with you, because it exemplifies what I call an 'immigrant mindset'. In my research of immigrant entrepreneurs, I have often come across their desire to do even the menial or seeming unimportant tasks with great passion and attention to detail. By paying attention to the task in front of you, and doing it with great care and love, you can transform it into treasure - this is what I have seen in my own life, and research confirms it. #ImmigrantMindset #BruceNordstrom #Nordstrom #AmericanRetail #BusinessLegacy #GivingBack #FashionRetail #HR #CEOStories #FounderStories #FamilyBusiness

A Lesson in Grace and Gratitude In a bustling spinach shop, amidst the green leafy abundance, an intriguing scene unfolded that spoke volumes about human nature and societal norms. Two contrasting individuals stood side by side, each with their unique demeanor and approach to life. On one side stood a man in shorts, sporting a casual attire complete with coolers, a gold chain, bracelet, and the ever-controversial Crocs. His appearance exuded a carefree vibe, a stark contrast to the formal elegance of the gentleman standing beside him. Dressed immaculately in formal attire, well-groomed and composed, he presented an image of sophistication and refinement. Despite their apparent differences, both individuals shared a common purpose – to purchase spinach priced at a modest INR 25. As fate would have it, the well-dressed man completed his transaction first. Without hesitation, he handed over INR 30 to the shopkeeper, expecting a mere INR 3 in return. However, fate threw a minor glitch into the equation, as the shopkeeper found himself short of change. With grace and humility, the gentleman accepted the situation and gracefully took the 2 rupees offered in lieu of the full change owed to him. In contrast, when the casual man faced a similar predicament, his reaction was vastly different. Refusing to leave until he received his due change, he adopted a harsh demeanor and demanded what he believed was rightfully his. This simple yet profound incident offers a poignant reflection on human behavior and the values we choose to uphold. While one individual exemplified grace, understanding, and gratitude, the other showcased entitlement, impatience, and a lack of empathy. Life often presents us with situations where our true character is revealed. It's not merely about what we do but how we do it that truly matters. In a world where self-centeredness often reigns supreme, acts of kindness, patience, and gratitude shine like beacons of light, illuminating the path to a more harmonious existence. So, the question beckons: When faced with adversity or inconvenience, how do you choose to respond? Will you embody the spirit of grace and gratitude, or succumb to the allure of self-interest and entitlement? #GraceAndGratitude #HumanNature #LifeLessons #EminentTrainingSolutions

To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Can we live without a Birkin, a Rolex Daytona, or a Loro Piana loafer? Is it a supply-side or demand-side constraint? What if, in an ideal world, we didn't have to queue or wait to get our hands on these coveted items? Would their rarity and desirability be reduced? These are some of the questions that a recent legal case is set to answer. The judge's decision will shed light on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation related to performance management systems. It's a complex issue, and the judges have a lot on their plate. #theroadtoluxury #hermes #lvmh #kering #richemont #chanel

Input = happy shoppers Output = Conversion Rates and LTV We focus on the inputs.

🛋️ Considering that new sofa but unsure about Macy's Worry No More warranty? You’re not alone! Many shoppers find themselves puzzled over warranty coverage for their big-ticket items. 🤔 In my latest article, I break down the details of Macy’s warranty, clarifying what’s truly covered and what isn’t. From pesky stains to structural concerns, knowing your rights as a consumer is essential. Let’s equip ourselves with the information we need to make confident decisions before that sofa takes center stage in your living room! Dive in to uncover the truth about warranties and safeguard your investment! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please comment on our site—your insights are invaluable! 💬 #ConsumerRights #Warranties #HomeGoods #Macy's #CustomerService #InformedShopping #FurnitureFacts

Welcome Andrea to lead Mulberry. While as regional leader, at this crutial moment, on behalf of the market and also the team on the ground that devoted all the efforts through past 4 years, we deeply value and treasure all we have learnt. Mulberry will forever marks a special place in my heart, profoundly influential. We started at home without even an office in Shanghai, opened store when locked down at home, expanded from 5 stores to 16, then creatively presented various projects with incredible talents involved. Full price strategy, sustainability, circular economy, market expansion and customer demographic cultivation. Nothing is easy. We do the right things not because it is easy, but because it is right. And today eventually comes to the moment that I share my next phase of career: I will be joining the platform to embrace new challenges. To bring my experience from retail to omni, from localized insights to global ecosystem, from a brand to wider industry perspective, from China then to the world. As I shared to my team, my career goal now becomes clear: an empowered individual to empower individual. An empowered Chinese, to empower “China to China”strategy. More global, more local. More local, more global.