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.

5,280 … Miles (Not Feet) From Home

IMS Retail University Heads to the Ukraine

In retail we usually talk about feet, that is, square foot metrics of a retailer.  And, you could say we have walked miles touring retail store fronts and sales floors worldwide.  But not this week, the IMS Retail U “professor” found himself 5, 280 miles from his homeland.  IMS Retail University had the opportunity and pleasure to facilitate several different workshops in Kiev, Ukraine.

“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?

The cancer eating local retail stores from within!

A retailer’s own website is biggest threat to their survival

Like 80% of consumers you go online to start shopping.  You check out options and prices, but you go to the store to get firsthand experience.  After getting some assistance from the retail sales person you make your choice AND then ask for the online price you saw on their web site.   Good for you, but it will be the kiss of death for the store if they give you the online price.

Has the retail price king finally been deposed?

The Dollar guys are chewing away at Walmart’s kingdom 

People ask me why I like retail so much.  Simple answer … it’s always changing.  Nothing is a given or certain in these economic times.  Walmart seemed invincible for decades – building its empire on the slogan of “Always”, implying lowest prices.  Well, in this economy the “Dollar” store guys are kicking Walmart’s butt and even selling online.

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.

#1 Question: What is Apple’s Secret Sauce?

Inquiring minds want to know how Apple stores do it?

One of the most popular sections in IMS Retail University is a review of retail channels and what it takes to differentiate in order to survive.  After our most recent Retail U workshop the #1 question was what makes Apple so good?  How do Apple stores manage to sell more $ per sq. ft. than a Tiffany’s jewelry store?  The answers lie in the old maxim that “retail is detail” … and no one is executing better right now than Apple.