HeadCount Corporation’s Post

Shares for Academy Sports + Outdoors dipped nearly 8 percent in Thursday morning trading after the company issued soft guidance for the year following a miss in net sales for fiscal 2023. For the full year, net sales at the Katy, Texas-based retailer fell 3.7 percent to $6.16 billion, down from $6.40 billion in 2022. Net income for fiscal 2023 was $519.2 million, down 17.3 percent from $628 million the year prior. In the fourth quarter, however, Academy made some gains with net sales in the period up 2.8 percent to $1.79 billion, up from $1.75 billion in Q4 2022. Net income in the quarter was $168.2 million, up 6.7 percent from $157.7 million the same time last year.

DICK'S Sporting Goods continues to impress with strong Q2 results, outperforming Wall Street expectations across the board. What's driving their success? A laser focus on customer experience and differentiation. The expansion of their experiential Dick's House of Sport format and the rollout of "field house" concept stores are paying dividends. These innovative store designs create immersive, interactive environments that draw customers in and keep them engaged. But it's not just about flashy store concepts. Dick's is doubling down on the fundamentals of great retail: 1. Curated assortments that resonate with customers 2. Knowledgeable, attentive staff 3. A commitment to service excellence On a recent store visit, I was struck by the level of engagement from employees. I was greeted warmly at least 5 times and offered assistance 3 times - a refreshing change from the hands-off approach many retailers have adopted. This focus on the basics of customer service, combined with experiential store formats and smart merchandising, is clearly setting Dick's apart in a competitive landscape. As other retailers struggle, Dick's is proving that investing in your customers pays off. What are your thoughts on Dick's strategy? #Retail #CustomerExperience #DicksSportingGoods

Marketing Matters The Trafford Centre is one of the most well known brands in the North West It attracts 30 million visitors annually. And here they are marketing to existing customers and potential customers that Lego, Lululemon and other well known brands are at the centre If MASSIVE BRANDS NEED to market their offering Then small businesses with no history, legacy, brand, footfall certainly need to. I often say to businesses "When a small business says they don't need to market themselves Remind yourself that virtually everyone in the world knows of Apple, Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway et all & they still market their business You are never too big for marketing" #Marketing #Advertising #Sales

NOSTALGIC RETAIL SERIES: #1 - CIRCUIT CITY In early 1949 Samuel Wurtzel was on vacation in Richmond, Virginia when, while at a local barber shop, he was witness to the start of television in the South. Imagining the opportunities, in late 1949, he moved his family to Richmond and opened the first Wards Company retail store. Later, Abraham L. Hecht joined him as a partner in the business. By 1959, Wards Company operated four television and home appliance stores in Richmond. The company continued to grow and acquired stores in other locations including Albany, New York; Mobile, Alabama; Washington, D.C.; and Costa Mesa, California. During the 1970s and early 1980s, it also sold mail-order under the name "Dixie Hi Fi", advertising in hi-fi magazines. Wards experimented with several retail formats in Richmond, including smaller mall outlets branded "Sight-n-Sound" and "Circuit City". (Wikipedia) Wards Company changed its name to Circuit City in 1984. In 2000. One of the other Nostalgic Retailers on the list, Blockbuster, bid for Circuit City in 2008, but withdrew its bid due to the changing market conditions. In 2008, Circuity City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Unable to emerge from Chapter 11, Circuit City closed its doors in March of 2009. That same year, Systemax, Inc purchased the Circuit City assets. Circuit City Corporation revived the brand: Established by Ronny Shmoel in 2016 as part of his acquisition of the brand name and trademark rights sold by Systemax, which formerly operated the CircuitCity website from 2009 until 2012, when it was consolidated into the TigerDirect brand. (Wikipedia) In 2018, the brand re-launched online with reports that it was going to re-open brick and mortar locations, but that never materialized. In 2023, the effort turned to establishing store-within-a-store alliances using “Powered by Circuit City.” As of now, plans seem to be in limbo. #nostalgicretail #retail #shopping #brands #retailrealestate

Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to open 160 to 180 new stores in the next five years and thinks its long-term potential is to operate more than 800 stores nationwide, according to Steve Lawrence. Last year, the chain opened 14 new stores. The majority of the stores that Academy opened up over the past two years have been in new markets. Moving forward, roughly half the new stores will open in existing markets, and the other half in new or adjacent markets. Steve Lawrence, Academy’s CEO said Academy had strong results in smaller and mid-sized markets. “While these stores may have slightly lower volume potential, the favorable expense structure it takes to run these stores helps ensure profitable investments.” Academy’s typical store is roughly 70,000 square feet, which is larger than the typical 40,000 sq. ft. store for DICK'S Sporting Goods and 11,000 sq. ft. for Big 5 Sporting Goods.

B2B is still very much alive. It’s an omnichannel world.

Reflecting on both ICR and NRF, a common and powerful theme emerged - brands are increasingly relying on in-store experiences to boost customer consideration of their brand. 🛍️ In today's digitally connected world, creating memorable and immersive in-store experiences is not just an option; it's a strategic imperative. These experiences go beyond products; they tell a story, evoke emotions, and engage customers in ways that online shopping simply can't replicate. From interactive displays to personalized service, brands are harnessing the unique advantages of physical retail spaces to build deeper connections with their customers. These experiences not only drive foot traffic but also leave a lasting impression that extends far beyond the store walls. As we move forward, let's keep in mind that the future of retail isn't just about transactions; it's about interactions. Brands that invest in creating exceptional in-store experiences are not only winning customers' consideration but also their loyalty. Let's continue to embrace the power of in-store experiences in shaping the future of retail! 🙌 #RetailExperiences #BrandConsideration #NRF #ICR #RetailInnovation

Loyalty is intrinsically tied to emotion. And physical human experiences in store (when done well) are always going to trump a digital transaction. That’s why I love innovating and creating industry leading retail store experiences, and why I loved collaborating with some great partners when creating World of Flight! It was great seeing Marcelo Trevisan fly the Jordan brand flag at #nrf2024 and even better to see the audience engagement around the consumer centric and brad defining World of Flight stores. #nrf2024 #nike #retailinnovation

Great example of how brands are blending the digital and physical to provide more enhanced, personalized consumer experiences. A consistent identity that can deliver successfully across both points helps reinforce lasting consumer connections. #Retail #Digital #ConsumerExperience

The LA Clippers are making waves, and it's time everyone paid attention. They're not just changing their identity - they're changing the game. What's smart? IF they are doing this hand-in-hand with their fans - listening and responding. It's a great way to shed the "other LA team" label. Other teams should take note. This is how you transform a franchise. Keep it up, Clippers! #Clippers #SportsMarketing #FanEngagement