The Jacquard Hotel and Rooftop’s Post

As someone who loves asking "but why?", I'm fascinated with the continuing saga of M&S aiming to demolish their flagship store and build something that- acknowledging my ignorance of both retail and architecture beyond amateur interest- sounds dreadful. But what is it about the old building that can't meet modern shoppers expectations? Seems like a good start. Harrods and Liberty are both extremely old and confusing and actively attract tourists. And the "modern" shopping experience is so bad that even though online shopping is unreliable (I'm a member of at least three Facebook groups largely dedicated to talking about how true to size my favourite brands are not), inconvenient (no, really. If returns were easy I wouldn't be buying half my summer wardrobe brand new with tags off ebay, would I?) and utterly soulless, people would rather do that than go to M&S. I mean, I am core M&S target- a middle aged mum of two with a middle class income and a vague sense of ethics. And my local store is out of town with generous parking. I still don't shop there. Because - and I don't think I am alone here- the modern shopping experience is overstuffed aisles understaffed shops where you can't get help with harsh lighting reflecting off hard bright surfaces. It's just not fun. Which makes me wonder if major chains like M&S have done adequately creative market research. I'm sure they've asked customers and I am sure those customers have said they want bright stores - I wonder if anyone has then asked what bright means? I'm sure they've said easy to find goods and spacious floors- then someone fills them up with more displays than you can comfortably walk around. I am positive no one has asked "but why?" more than twice. Which means shopping continues to suck, and many people continue to avoid it. Which seems a terrible shame for the carbon tied up in the flagship store, which looks an awful lot more fun than the soul sucking aircraft hanger round my way. https://lnkd.in/emRWFJmD

Dilution and deviation away from the core business is not a business decision that should be taken lightly. Beyond the obvious - new assortment, new decor, new competitors - when you deviate away from what you're good at, you need to build a new way of thinking and a new set of skills. The folks at Spirit Halloween need to carefully navigate this business development opportunity without sacrificing what has made them successful to date. They will have less time to think about the latest ghouls and frights. They'll have new demands on their procurements folks. They'll need to forecast the unknown. I'm all for thinking big and trying new things - but one must do it with a sense of humility and with a strong respect towards the core. #halloween #scaryskerryhalloweenbusinessinsights

Oh, now this has got us very excited! The biggest single store revamp Marks and Spencer has ever invested in, and it’s right on our doorstep at our local Fosse Park! As reported in Retail Gazette, the current store is expanding to a whopping 100,000 sq. ft allowing space for more product lines within their food, clothing, homewares, and beauty categories. Hoping to create a ‘brand defining’ store here in Leicestershire, we cannot wait to keep an eye on the developments over the summer and be one of the first to explore the shopping experience once all is complete in the autumn. This expansion not only signifies the brand’s healthy position, but is also evidence of the growing popularity, strength, and transformation of out-of-town retail parks into major shopping and leisure destinations. Fosse Park, whose tagline is Shop, Eat, Enjoy, note they are ‘seeing visitors come from further afield, with footfall growing year on year’. With brand expansions like M&S, we’re sure this trend is set to continue, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next! Watch this space for more… #marksandspencerstoreexpansion #marksandspencerfossepark #fossepark #retaildestinations #leicestershopping #retaildesignagency https://lnkd.in/eawYw4Rm

Very interesting... "The new Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up isn’t your typical pop-up. It’s more akin to a traveling mini-mall with a curated collection of luxury shops that spans 17,000 square feet. After its debut at North Hills in Raleigh last November, it opened March 8 for an eight-week run next to the The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Florida. The pop-up is home to 10 luxury boutique­ — including Tiffany & Co., Dolce & Gabbana, Christofle and Etro — as well as a 150-seat restaurant called The Whitman." ... "The idea behind the pop-up started with a question with which many shopping center owners have been wrestling, said Whitman Family Development chair Matthew Whitman Lazenby: “Was there a way to make balharbourshops.com a viable source for folks who wanted to buy luxury goods online?” Luxury retail brands have been developing their own online platforms, but what is missing is the ability to find that collection of luxury retailers online in one spot. “The name Bal Harbour had its own strength,” added Lazenby. “Was there a way that we could leverage that into a more direct-to-consumer model that would start to deliver the mission through e-commerce?”" https://bit.ly/49gC0iJ

Even before Macklemore made it a thing, I’ve been a huge fan of thrift store shopping. Nothing beats the opportunity to find unique and valuable items in some of the more unexpected places. Although I’ll admit, any of the thrift stores in Joshua Tree wouldn’t exactly surprise me as a source of fantastic finds. Still, I can’t get enough of the hunt. I’m constantly intrigued and motivated by the idea of finding something rare. Plus, you never know when you might come across something that you can flip and resell at a higher retail price. But, not everyone knows how to find good deals at thrift stores. Honestly, it does take a bit of practice and a keen eye, as well as just knowing what to look for. So today, I’m sharing practical tips on how to find valuable vintage pieces in thrift stores. Whether you're looking to update your home or rental property, or simply love the thrill of the hunt, here’s everything you need to know!

I moved to a new city and drove 4000+ KM in 3 weeks…for a client. A few years ago, I landed a gig with a client looking to launch a product in a city they had no team in. They wanted to run a pilot project for a new market segment by launching a new product in a chain of retail stores. They needed boots on the ground to build a team there, do tasting in the stores for a few weeks and get people to know the product for the pilot test in that city before potentially rolling out in the whole province. So I moved there-ish.  (I crashed in my then-dad's girlfriend's basement for a few weeks) I did most prep work before getting there but had to be on-site for the whole pilot and go a few times prior, to scope out spaces to operate out of and do interviews. In 6 weeks, I built everything from scratch: -Built the team, onboarded them, and made the schedule with the stores. -Figured out what the tasting would be, portion size, etc., so we could order all the raw ingredients and have them shipped out. -Rented a kitchen and bought all the equipment to set up a workspace 250 km away. -Ran tasting in 27 stores for three weeks In the end, we sold out of everything we had to sell. The logistics aspect was the hardest part. The store didn’t have much experience with the type of product and by the middle of week two, a lot of the products we were selling were out of stock or expired. This meant I spent my evening driving between locations to refill fridges, making sure each rep had enough inventory to sell each night. On week three, I even made an extra trip to Montreal to fill my car with extra inventory so we could have what we needed. Ultimately, we built awareness for a new product in a new city. The pilot was converted to a longer-term test between the two brands and the feedback gathered led to a complete redesign of the packaging and major changes in the supply chain of the brand carrying the product. We made it work. The days were long, but so much fun. I'm always ready to go the extra mile for my clients—literally.  Whether it's driving across provinces or ensuring every detail is covered, I’m committed to making sh*t happen. Photo - Circa 2017: On the last evening, after we ran out of stuff to sell, I took some of the team out to celebrate.

I'm not shocked to read rooms+spaces went from dozens of stores to just two. In retail, you win on either price, convenience, selection, or experience. The massive location I visited when it first opened carried basically the same products I could find at my local Walmart.... but at 3x the price. The stores weren't particularly convenient in terms of either hours or location... ... and although the store was practically deserted when I visited, I wasn't approached by any of the staff members working to see if I needed any help. Not even once. Translation? They aren't winning on ANY of the four retail value propositions. I give kudos to Doug Putman for trying something new and "swinging for the fences" when everybody else was shuttering stores. I'd argue we need more of that bold, entrepreneurial thinking in Canada. But I think Rooms+Spaces is a failed experiment... ... and that moving them into Toys R Us stores is a huge mistake. I wouldn't waste valuable real estate in a toy store trying to sell houseware items; that's not why people are visiting a toy store. (And if they do see something they like, at three times the price they can get it elsewhere, they'll just pull out their phones and order it from Amazon.) Instead, I'd use that space to make the toy shopping an EXPERIENCE. ➡ Places to play, not just rows upon rows of boxed toys on shelf... ➡ Interactive displays versus static signage... ➡ A loyalty program that can be used to unlock special in-store activities... Have a read of Tara Deschamps' article, and let me know your thoughts. (And a h/t to Grant Packard for his insights in this piece.)

We’ve got all the answers you need! Tap into the comment section and discover how we make your shopping experience smooth. Still got more questions? Still need more answers? Contact us now! #HomendOffice #FurnitureFAQs #CustomerSupport #NationwideDelivery #FurnitureShopping #OnlineFurnitureStore #HomeOfficeDecor #FurnitureSetup #AdjustableFurniture #GiftShopping #FurnitureAssembly

Another example of Brixmor’s ongoing transformation story that drives traffic for tenants, value for investors and thriving centers that become part of consumers’ daily lives. Shout out to Leigh Paull, AIA, LEED AP, Stephen Trommsdorff, Susan Martinez, Jeff Bell, Christopher Ralph and Josh Durigan. Brixmor Property Group #ourcenterisyou

Discovering Port Perry is like unfolding a colorful map to hidden treasure. 🗺️ Nestled within Durham Region, it's not only a picturesque destination but a hub for unique boutiques and artisanal finds that you won't find in your typical shopping mall. As real estate professionals specializing in helping Toronto families upsize to homes in Durham Region, we've seen firsthand the charm this quaint town adds to the lifestyle here. The shops of Port Perry set a perfect example of how community and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand. Here's your expert guide to making the most of Port Perry's shopping scene: 1️⃣ Take a stroll down Queen Street: Every storefront has a story. From bespoke jewelry to handcrafted furniture, the quality here is as rich as the town's history. 2️⃣ Explore the local art galleries: Port Perry is a haven for artists. Their work adds a splash of creativity and culture to the community. 3️⃣ Savor the local flavors: Between shopping, don't miss out on the artisanal cheeses, home-baked goods, and gourmet chocolates that are as delightful to taste as they are to look at. 4️⃣ Meet the makers: The best part about shopping in Port Perry? The owners. They are not just shopkeepers; they are passionate creators who love to share their stories. 5️⃣ Support the local economy: Every purchase you make contributes to the thriving ecosystem of small businesses that give Port Perry its unique character. For our clients looking for a lifestyle upgrade, Port Perry offers more than just larger homes - it provides a community-rich experience that values connection, craftsmanship, and convenience. If you're thinking about making the move, or simply looking for a day trip that will surprise and delight, why not explore the hidden gems of Port Perry? Who else loves local shopping? Share your favorite small-town shops below! 👇 #DurhamRegion #PortPerry #ShopLocal #RealEstate #CommunityBuilding