Two sessions at the NRF 2020 conference in New York highlighted how focusing on customer service results in higher sales.
NRF 2020: The Rise of the Store
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A record crowd of 40,000 people attended the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City this week to see what new solutions and innovations software suppliers had in store for 2020 and beyond. The usual themes were still very present as solution providers and retailers alike were more than happy to talk about omni-channel, mobility, and machine learning, to name a few. This year, two recurring themes jumped out at me: an emphasis on the store’s role in omni-channel and the use of robots to streamline processes.
Best of NRF 2020: Top 10 Takeaways
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What is the “need” of the 2020s?
According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, “every retailer will need to build their own tech intensity.”
Guest Opinion: Mitigating Tariffs in Supply Chain Design
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Supply Chain Strategy for an Ever-Changing Political Environment
The ever-changing political climate has made it more important than ever to consider the impact of tariff regulation changes on supply chain design. The past couple of years of uncertainties have limited companies’ options to mitigate tariffs and off-set expenses to their supply chain networks, putting strains on moving into known and unknown markets. To reduce the effect of tariffs on cost, companies should consider best practices for strategically managing this new but increasingly common volatile market.
‘Bloomingdale’s is a Strong Brand’: How the Department Store Has Dodged the Fate of Its Competitors
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This week, Macy’s Inc. announced it’s closing 28 stores, making it the latest in a long line of retailers and department stores suffering the effects of a volatile retail environment and downsizing. But the company’s other retail subsidiary — Bloomingdale’s — has been one of the more resilient contenders in the retail space, closing one store this week versus dozens and seeing better financial results than competitors like Neiman Marcus.
Digitally Native Brand Almina Concept is Using Drop-Shipping to Grow the Business
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When Angela Gahng started her direct-to-consumer contemporary womenswear brand Almina Concept in August 2017, she was focused on creating high-quality, essential pieces at a reasonable price point. She wanted to be a step above fast-fashion companies like Zara and H&M but more accessible than some of the more high-end contemporary brands, and thought the only way that could happen was to be strictly DTC.
