Results Count ... everything else is conversation.

Brazil – Retail lessons from the land of beef

Rapid sales growth can cover retail “sins” of omission

While in much of the world economies and retail are still in recovery mode, Brazil is a bull of an economy.  Brazil is bold, brazen and the land of where “beef is truly what’s for dinner”.  Brazil has the highest GDP for Latin America, and now ranks in the top economies globally.  So, what does retail look like in a booming economy?  The Retail U Professor returns with insights, retail snapshots and glowing stories of "picanha"!    

Ukraine: A case study for emerging markets

It’s not just the west, retail is changing everywhere 

I’m always excited about the opportunity to take IMS retail workshops on the road to other countries.  Last week I had opportunity to not only visit the Ukraine, but to meet with the senior management from top retailers in this emerging market.  There are always some unique local challenges. However, there are more similarities than differences across retailers today.  At the end of the day, results count … no matter where your retail stores are located.

“Emerging” retail markets are exploding …

Growth of the “small screen” moves retailing online

I always relish the opportunity to take Retail University courses abroad.  Inevitably, I find that the Professor learns as much as the students.  While much of US and western European retail has been homogenized by the large big box chains, Asia is truly a land of diversity in retailing. There is nothing like first-hand experience of visiting retail stores in Asia.  But, the biggest retail trend is not about stores … it’s happening online!  Read on to discover a new resource to watch the trends unfold in Asia.

Are you 1 of the 80% that will fail multi-channel?

#1 Challenge of retailing today - It ain’t what it used to be 

As I’m preparing for teaching a Retail University class in Singapore next week, I asked myself the question I always get asked:  What is the #1 challenge in retail today?  The answer use to be different by region.  But today, retail has become a multi-channel reality worldwide.  An interesting study by Gartner predicts that by 2015, 80% of retailers will fall flat in a multi-channel world.  What will retailers and suppliers need to do differently worldwide in order to succeed in retail by 2015?

Plaisio on Retail – 9 Points of Focus & Success

Key insights from IMS Retail University in Cyprus

Last week’s blog post referenced the IMS Retail University workshop being held in Cyprus.  One of the core principles of Retail U is to ask a retailer to come share their point of view.  We were very fortunate to have Costas Gerardos from Plaisio as our retail speaker.  He shared key insights from retail in Greece that apply to all retailers, regardless of geography.  As predicted, the Professor learned as much as the participants and is anxious to share Plaisio’s success story.  

 Engaging class participants

IMS Retail University heads to Cyprus …

This professor is learning as much as the “students” 

This year marks 25 years of IMS Retail University workshops.  What better way to celebrate than to take Retail U on the road to Cyprus!  A common theme we promote in Retail U is to “get out of town” to see and learn about retail formats in other countries.  This week’s workshops in Cyprus are proving to be a fertile opportunity for the “professor” to learn new insights for the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe.

Nacho Libre! Unmasking retail in Latin America

Retail U goes on road to both teach and learn in Mexico

One of our core principles in Retail University workshops is that to understand retail … you have to get out to the stores.  It’s even better if you can experience retail in other countries.  This week we had a wonderful opportunity to both teach retail principles, and learn from our hosts about the cultural nuances of retailing south of the US border.

Kiva – Amazing Results Worthy of Conversation

Micro lending that changes lives … and keeps on giving 

Ok, so you don’t have the money of Bill Gates to tackle the huge problems plaguing the world.  You can still make an incredible difference in peoples’ lives by giving them a hand up instead of a handout.  My daughter’s birthday gift led me to Kiva – an incredible story of measurable, global results.  I’m so impressed that this post includes an opportunity for you to act now by engaging locally through micro lending.

One of oldest retailing venues is golden again

Today’s vending kiosks are transforming micro retailing

Vending machines are typically associated with unsophisticated, self service places to buy snacks.  But, new technology and high tech merchandising are transforming vending kiosks into sophisticated, highly profitable micro retailing sites.  There’s gold in today’s new vending … literally gold for purchase, and golden opportunities for profitable retailing.

Retail Innovation … Beating Britain’s weather

Rapidly changing supply when the “forecast” is wrong

A lot of things are predictable in today’s retail world, but weather is not one of them.  The British Isles have notoriously unpredictable weather, which greatly impacts sales.  While Sainsbury’s can’t control the weather, they are investing in real-time supply chain technology to monitor what sells minute by minute.  In today’s retail world, best practices are not limited to just Walmart … they come from all corners of the globe.