Consumers are re-examining their priorities, challenging existing norms, and calling on brands to take action that aligns with their values, supports their communities and advances social and racial equity in new and powerful ways. The pace of this change is accelerating as never before, with…
Lululemon opened their experiential flagship location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago about a year ago. A temple of sorts, the store was built to facilitate engagement between customer and brand with ample space dedicated to fostering shared experiences such as a meditation room,…
Today’s consumers are prioritizing values and holding brands accountable in new and powerful ways, especially as we face a period of uncertainty and ongoing fear stemming from the global COVID-19 pandemic. In this first of a weekly series of blog posts, we comment on how…
Understandably, the retail food industry has been consumed with responding to current events. With a global pandemic rocking the market, we have seen an unprecedented impact on the retail industry in general and the food industry in particular. For years, I have focused on the…
A bit lost amid the wave of bankruptcies and massive announced store closures are some notable brands who are exiting the retail business. Microsoft announced that they are closing all 83 of their retail stores, both in the US and around the world. They will…
Now is the moment for brands to prioritize listening to their consumers above all else. Instead of driving consumers to your platforms, sites and events, businesses should meet them where they are. There are two important behaviors that can help companies to reinforce both their…
Just as retail stores were beginning to reopen from COVID-19, another tragedy struck the U.S.A. with the death of George Floyd under the knee of Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin. After a video of the incident went viral, thousands of people swarmed the streets of…
Chicago retail, including other iconic shopping destinations, looked like a war zone this week – not a major market poised to re-open after months of closures. This week was supposed to be the next re-opening phase in Illinois – not another setback that some retailers…
Brian Sharoff, President of the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) passed away at the age of 77 after a brief illness. His loss is incalculable to the food retail industry. For so many who have worked in this area, Brian truly was the private label…
The COVID-19 crisis has quickly swept over the US, amassing over 1.5 million cases and 90,000+ deaths through May 18 (NYT COVID Tracker). Consumers have responded with dramatic shifts in shopping and purchasing behaviors. While some of these new behaviors are probably short-term responses to…
