Walter Holbrook’s Post

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: I came across this opinion piece this weekend by retail analyst Brittan Ladd. Talk about thinking “out of the box”! A interesting read on Amazon’s plans to open a SuperCenter. So many questions, lets start with WHY? Amazon Business The grocery industry produces over a trillion dollars in sales, in the U.S.. It’s HUGE, however it’s also low margin, high expense, filled with waste, think “Coconuts vs Bananas”. Would a SuperCenter help improve that margin performance? #supercenter Walmart Amazon’s attitude towards retail has always been different, “technology before product”, “Just Walk Out vs JWI: Just Walk In”. I agree with his point about Whole Foods, what did Amazon learn? Whole Foods Market Was Target a missed opportunity for Amazon? I love that question, absolutely if they wanted to impact brick & mortar retail immediately! A Whole Foods in Target would be a vast improvement over their current grocery brand. Target Amazon buying Publix? It’s still a regional play not a National foot print. The Costco concept? Really? Thanks Brittan love the thought provoking ideas to start the week off. Fantastic read! Costco Wholesale Publix Super Markets PEOPLE - PRODUCT - PRESENTATION - PROCESS #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #shoppingexperience #brandexperience #groceryexperience #amazon #walmart #target #costco #wholefoods #publix #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Thanks Jennifer for your comments this morning on the impact of the recent Hurricanes. In many cases we are seeing unprecedented damage from Florida, Georgia, thru North Carolina. 🙏🏻 Jennifer Beasley She makes a great point about Publix Super Markets , how important they are in a disaster like this, it’s not all about greed but servicing the community. Publix’s Corporate Office was in a direct path of the disaster. A big shout out to the thousands of retail workers who are on the line this morning. THANKS ❤️ #retail #teamwork #associates #community #grit #hardwork #perseverance #publix #walmart #homedepot #lowes #thankful #grateful

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: This pass week Costco announced sales for September +9% 💥💥💥, E-commerce up 22%. Costco Wholesale What’s driving this tremendous growth, some say it was hurricane preparations or port strike. Probably some truth there but they are a major powerhouse in RETAIL. Here’s a few facts: 1️⃣ +120 million members worldwide with new membership hike of $5, $65 yearly fee. Go ahead put a pencil to that 💰! 2️⃣ Kirkland Brand: “the envy of the retail industry”. $60 Billion in sales, now 23% of total sales. QUALITY - VALUE -TRUST - LOYALTY 3️⃣ Apparel/Clothing/Shoes: Somewhere around $10 Billion in sales but growing every day. A fantastic brand strategy, with an under $20 price point. 4️⃣ Beer/Wine/Liquor: The largest alcohol retailer in the world at +$7 Billion. 5️⃣ Treasue Hunt: The impulse purchase, you have your list of “needs” but all of a sudden you have a basket of “wants”. Does anyone create this “BUY” any better? 🛒🛒🛒 Costco: +890 locations worldwide, +$250 Billion in sales with +316,000 associates. Most importantly, fantastic leadership and a peoplefirst mindset. #leadership #peoplefirst #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #groceryindustry #shoppingexperience #brandexperience #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: As millions of Floridians return home after Hurricane Milton. The disaster relief efforts have started, many companies are stretched with their Humanitarian efforts throughout Southeast. But the sun will rise this morning, cooler fall air has moved in, then the “snowbirds” arrive. ☀️ Let’s dedicate this morning’s post, what makes Florida different? This is Turner Home, an independent family owned retailer in North Florida, for 50 years operating hardware, garden and furniture stores. #turnerhome #furnitureindustry #hardware #garden #merchandising What happens when a family of “MERCHANTS” create a FLORIDA COASTAL CHRISTMAS? 🎄🌴🎅🏻 A fantastic lesson in merchandising. #holidayseason2024 #xmas Yes, you can complete with “Big Box” and Department Stores but you will need to out-merchandise them, differentiate your assortment and provide compelling displays. #buying #merchants #exicting #emotional #compelling Florida Coastal Christmas: Lighter shades, more whites, sand, silver, blue and aqua. Ornaments: Mermaids, Sea Horses, Turtles, Starfish, FlipFlops, etc. 🛒🛒🛒🐠🦀🐢🐬🦎 Creating an stunning collection of Holiday merchandise that is unique, with outstanding visual presentation. 💥💥💥 A big thanks to Store Manager Will Campbell and his outstanding team. #teamwork #collabration #retail #retailtrends #retailexperience #brandexperience #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: While we wait for the horrendous news from Hurricane Milton, in my beloved Florida. Let’s take a look at one of the hottest retailers in the world. MINISO USA Miniso, by far this concept is on fire worldwide!🔥🔥🔥 With over 7,000 stores and record profits the first half of 2024. This Chinese company has a huge expansion plan, with only +200 stores in the U.S.. Talk about brand experience, #Loopy #Chiikawa #Barbie #Lotso #Pokemon #CareBears #Snoopy #Sanrio #Disney Their new flagship store in New Jersey’s Dream Mall, a pop up store for Times Square. 💥💥💥 What’s driving the growth, similar to Five Below , it’s all built around “FUN”. #GenZ Opportunity: 1,000 new stores worldwide for the next few years. U.S : a chain of +1,000 stores. Unbelievable growth! Special Note: Bath & Body Works was the second busiest store in the Mall. Outstanding Visual Presentation! #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #brandexperience #shoppingexperience #merchandising #toyindustry #visualmerchandising #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Hurricane Helene will probably exceed Katrina! I was in S. Florida when Andrew hit. Stay Safe, Hurricane Milton tonight. #retail #hurricanes #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Last Sundays trip to the mall was a flashback to 1990! The foot traffic was fantastic, mostly GenZ, packed with tennagers. “Back To The Future” #malls #GenZ The highlight for me was Holiday Displays at Dillards. 🎅🏻 Very impressive, the visual merchandise teams were on fire. This is exactly what you expect from Department Stores. #holidayseason2024 I compare this to my visit to Macy’s two weeks ago, boring. For the first half of 2024, we continue to see Department Stores lose market share and sales. #departmentstores Macy’s -$9.8 Billion Kohl’s -$6.7B JC Penny -$2.8B Dillards-$3B Nordstrom +$7B #macys #kohls #jcpenny #dillards #nordstrom Nordstrom’s good news is dominated by the growth of Nordstrom Rack, which is on fire 🔥🔥! This points out how the Off-Price sector continues to eat away at Department Stores. All driven by aspirational shoppers, looking for brands with “value” and “price”. #tjx #tjmaxx #HomeGoods #nordstromrack #ross Tomorrow, which two mall stores were filled with customers? A big thanks to Daphne Howland with her artical in Retail Dive, which is attached. Also my recent visits to Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack and HomeGoods. #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #shoppingexperience #brandexperience #merchandising #visualpresentation #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: In the trillion dollar grocery industry, does any company have a better relationship with its customers? PUBLIX Publix Super Markets With Hurricane Milton hours away of reaching Florida, this incredible retailer has been the dominant force in the Southeast for decades. This is Floridians go to place for groceries, built on TRUST and SERVICE. ❤️ #TRUST With over +1,400 stores, producing +$55 Billion Dollars in sales, +255,000 associates. The largest employee-owned company in the United States. They are operational masters providing fantastic looking stores everyday of the year. “Operational Excellence” and “Sustainable Execution” are their strengths. They believe customer service is a “value”. #customerservice #value Their in-stock strength is amazing, they have a few signs in the store for anything they are out of, “Our Apologies”! #merchandising Their employee recognition board, as the customer leaves. RISING ABOVE EXPECTATIONS, PASSIONATELY FOCUSED ON CUSTOMER VALUE, PROVIDING PREMIER CUSTOMER SERVICE, Thank you for taking OWNERSHIP! #peoplefirst They are one of the most profitable grocery chains in the U.S.. A big THANKS to Store Manager Andrew and team, GREAT JOB! #leadership #teamwork #hardworkspaysoff #retail #retailtrends #retaindustry #groceryindustry #shoppingexperience #brandexperience #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: Have you checked the sell-through data on Halloween? 🎃 #halloween2024 My gut is sending out a warning after visiting stores over the weekend. DANGER! WILL ROBINSON! ☠️ Halloween sales look weak, a lot of inventory with only three weeks left. Post Covid Blues? #seasonal #merchandising Will Robinson? Lost in Space? 🤖🛸🚀 Ask your grandparents! Would love some feedback on Halloween. Should retailers take a smaller markdown in season? Or 50% off November 1st? Which is more profitable? #target #walmart #homedepot #lowes #homegoods #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #TopRetailExpert

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: It’s a 4th Quarter Pep Talk. Are we ready? Let’s break it down to three areas. 💥💥💥 1️⃣ HIRING NEW ASSOCIATES: The Retail Industry is in the process of hiring thousands of new employees for the Holiday Season. What are you looking for in an new associate? #organizationaldevelopment A) A ferocious work ethic. B) Strong Sense of Pride. C) Are they Coachable. D) Fantastic Social Skills 2️⃣ TEACHING & TRAINING: See the attached article in the comments section. #teaching #training #peoplefirst A) KEEP IT SIMPLE B) Daily Communications - Use the huddle. C) Lead by Example - Set the tone. D) Customer Service - Just a simple human interaction. 3️⃣ PRIME RETAIL REAL ESTATE: #sales A) Drive sales. B) Don’t accept empty spaces. C) Stay focused on seasonal sell-through. “Coconuts vs Bananas” D) Replenishment Process - Keep the counters full. On my walk through a “big box” store🎯 on early Saturday morning, my first thought, are they ready for the weekend? Its peak time, your weeks before the Holidays. Empty spaces, employees heads down, focused on tasks. 🛒🛒🛒 Questions for Target: So last year, you struggled to keep your counters full. Why is it happening again? Labor? Corporate Direction? Is the CFO really convinced you make more profit by inventory control? Where are the RETAILERS? Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s are led by retailers, they would never accept empty shelves! 💰💰 #target #walmart #costco #homedepot #lowes Questions for Macys: That one photo is a huge area sitting empty in one of your stores. Why? There’s nothing you could put in there for the next 8 weeks? 🎅🏻 Lets ask YODA RETAIL: Put the largest Christmas Tree you can find in that spot, decorate it, hire two college students to dress as elves. Encourage customers to bring their families in for pics. Display/post it all over TikTok. Bingo, your new marketing strategy for 2024 Holiday. Put a little “HERALD SQUARE” in every store! 🎄#macys #heraldsquare #TikTok #marketing #foottraffic #YodaRetail: “Bringing Common Sense back to the Retail Industry” #Hustle #Grind #Execute #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #shoppingexoerience #brandexperience #leadership #TopRetailExpert