Tag: retail
Walmart SWOT Analysis (Q4)
October 21, 2020
Walmart wants to win. This high-level SWOT analysis shows how Walmart has faced certain weaknesses to strengthen its competitive position during this year’s pandemic. Additional recent moves to adapt to the times include: Diversity: A commitment to ensure its workforce and suppliers reflect the people in the communities Walmart serves Domestic partners: Walmart has launched […]
Amazon SWOT Analysis (Q4)
October 19, 2020
Profitable pivots: 2020’s COVID-19 curveball rattled even the biggest retail leaders. In this SWOT analysis check-in, we see how Amazon has responded to market pressures, including direct changes to address specific weaknesses and threats. Additional overarching patterns I see are: Building brand trust (beyond anti-counterfeit measures), ranging from humanizing the brand for a softer corporate […]
Why Small is BIG in 2020
October 16, 2020
Big retailers think small. As the 2020 holiday sales season kicks off, leading retailers seek nimble small businesses to give consumers what they want. Their relationships are mutually-beneficial … To stay competitive and solvent in a pandemic, small suppliers need an online presence, which they can achieve through retailers’ robust e-commerce and logistics infrastructure. As […]
Global E-Commerce Boom
September 7, 2020
The future of retail is online. This year’s global pandemic has made e-commerce a retail necessity to connect companies and consumers. More consumers now rely on online shopping for convenience, safety and time savings. Retailers and CPG brands invest in e-commerce (as well as tech and logistics partnerships) to overcome store closures and consumer reticence […]
Why Private Label’s Hot
August 17, 2020
Private label is on fire. McKinsey found 34% of consumers spent more on private label products during the pandemic, with 44% citing affordability and better value. CONSUMER BENEFITS:Product innovation, quality and affordability make store brands more enticing to consumers this year. RETAILER BENEFITS:Retailers gain greater control over supply chain processes and margins, and drive loyalty […]
Amazon Gets Intimate
August 9, 2020
Oh baby: Amazon is getting intimate with us. It could be the lockdown loneliness kicking in but I’m convinced that Amazon is the best date ever. Think about it, people: they’re seductive ninjas, subtly applying the 5 Love Languages (Gifts! Movies! Dinner!) to make us swoon. (Personally, I can’t wait until I can say, “Alexa, […]
2020 Retail Trends
July 27, 2020
According to Stats Canada, Canadians caused a 99% surge in online purchases between February and May, As e-commerce booms, here are some ways traditional sales seasons and retail strategies could change this year. Key success factors include: PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS:Prompt, reliable delivery and in-stock merchandise could make consumers more forgiving and loyal. (Advantage: Amazon) PHYSICAL STORES:BOPIS […]
Amazon’s Path to Post-Pandemic Prosperity
June 28, 2020
This infographic’s alternative title could easily be Why Jeff Bezos Will be a Trillionaire Soon. Last week, Amazon went on a shopping spree to secure its retail tech supremacy and customer-centric continuous improvement to position the company to thrive now and after COVID-19. These investments show Amazon’s priorities range from delivering short-term consumer benefits to […]
Pandemic Bestsellers
June 21, 2020
Shopping habits shift: As we all know, panic in March led to out-of-stocks for items like flour, yeast and toilet paper as frenzied consumers prepared for the pandemic. Fortunately, consumers buying habits have since evolved, and diversified beyond grocery and pharmacy staples. This infographic shares some notable findings from recent consumption reports. A few trends […]
E-Commerce Gets Spicy!
June 15, 2020
Today’s announcement of Walmart’s strategic partnership with e-commerce superstar Shopify is shaking up online shopping. Yet Shopify also recently made headlines for its collaboration with the launch of Facebook Shops, a social commerce platform that merges social media and shopping. WHY NOW? Now is the *perfect* time for these alliances because: Many consumers remain homebound […]
2020 Retail PEST Analysis
June 7, 2020
What keeps CEOs up at night: Coronavirus impact, global recession, and mass protests and movements for starters. As this PEST analysis shows, retail executives and their teams need to juggle a variety of complex market factors as they revise their 2020 strategies to navigate new risks. Overarching themes include: 1. UPHEAVALSo much change in so […]
How COVID-19 Changed the Face of Global Retail
May 31, 2020
COVID-19 has changed the face of retail. This year’s pandemic has affected retail companies across channels and around the world. This infographic shows how global retailers – including Amazon, Sephora, Lululemon, Tesco, and Alibaba – are adapting to consumer needs and coronavirus complexities. Overall themes include: 1. PROTECTION: Keeping consumers and workers safe remains paramount. […]
2020 Retail Rumble
May 26, 2020
Forget crowdless UFC matches – 2020’s biggest rumble is taking place between retail giants Amazon and Walmart. Their arena is today’s unrelenting market complexity, including economic and technological upheaval amid the coronavirus crisis. In this third and final piece in a series, we compare Walmart and Amazon’s enduring and pandemic-specific strategies to spot market opportunities […]
Is Amazon Pandemic-Proof?
May 10, 2020
Most retail companies are burning their 2020 business strategies. The coronavirus crisis has: – Left many independent retailers and brands insolvent– Prompted department store Neiman Marcus to file for bankruptcy last week – Shuttered storefronts and, earlier this year, Walgreens, Forever 21 and Sears had already closed several stores By contrast, Amazon is booming. Jeff […]
Pandemic Power Play
May 4, 2020
By investing $4 billion of operating profit into its COVID-19 plan, Amazon is setting itself up for spectacular success that will last far beyond the current coronavirus crisis. The funds will simultaneously improve internal weaknesses and counter external threats to address issues with consumers, critics and competitors. What do you think of Amazon’s approach? Related […]
Pandemic-Driven Pivots
April 28, 2020
Creativity conquers chaos: This year, agile companies have shown profound resilience by reinventing themselves in response to the coronavirus pandemic. From beer to fitness, many industries are filling consumption gaps with relevant solutions, including essential goods and technology. What other examples of responsiveness have you seen?
Amazon is Perfectly Positioned for a Pandemic
April 7, 2020
It’s Amazon’s time: The coronavirus crisis is Amazon’s opportunity. The e-commerce giant is brilliantly positioned for this moment. Key trends driving Amazon’s dominance right now: 1. GREATER CONTROL Vertical integration has given Amazon greater control of its supply chain processes, efficiencies and profitability. 2. DESIRABLE BENEFITS More consumers (and businesses) are turning to Amazon for […]
Coronavirus Fuels Hiring in These 6 Sectors
April 6, 2020
Recession-proof sectors: Although we’re all affected by profound changes due to the global coronavirus pandemic, certain industries are booming right now. Among the most resilient sectors, 3 trends stand out: 1. BASICS: Essential goods and services are most in demand. 2. ONLINE: More consumption and work are going digital. 3. CONNECTION: Isolated in our silos, […]
What You Can Learn From Zara’s Product Controversy
August 4, 2016
Global fashion retailer Zara recently caused a public uproar following accusations the brand copied the work of independent artists. Last month Los Angeles-based artist Tuesday Bassen announced she had filed an official complaint against Zara for copyright infringement. She joins at least a dozen artists who allege Zara stole their designs, adding their work to […]
Why E-Commerce Giants are Getting Physical
June 28, 2016
In May, e-commerce powerhouse Amazon announced it will open more physical stores, following the lead of online cosmetics brand Birchbox and online eyewear brand Warby Parker. Amid today’s retail disruption, the savviest retailers know superior customer experience (CX) is paramount to their success. E-commerce giants’ deliberate focus on CX has inspired their investments in omnichannel […]