Dean Linendoll

Interesting article.

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As a GOOD AMERICAN customer, I can’t wait to experience the store. 👖As a former merchant, having a digital option to showcase styling, fit and product knowledge would have given me the confidence that my merchandising strategy was being executed in the store without having to physically be on location. 📺This is a great way to make sure teams are product obsessed with the constant graphics and that the visual merchandising / styling options are being showcased at the store. 🛍️To make sure this extension of digital is a success, Good American would need to keep the content fresh and consistent with real time inventory and reflective of the current product assortment. Sales associates would still need to be product obsessed but they would also need to show customers what is possible with the digital screens. The experience should augment and assist the sales associate and not be considered a replacement of staff. 🔹The excitement of finding a product on the screen, loving the look and being disappointed if the item or the size is not available could also drive customers away. GA would need to be on top of their inventory position and have a good handle of managing their inventory across all channels. 🗞️Check out more #BrainTrust comments on RetailWire: https://lnkd.in/eDJp--GF #retail #retailnews #goodamerican #cx #stores #merchandising #TRE #TopRetailExpert

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🌟 Empowering Teams, Driving Success 🌟 As the Florida Area Manager at Aroma360, I’ve learned that success is not just about hitting targets—it’s about building and empowering a team that believes in the mission. Overseeing retail operations means juggling many priorities, but it always comes back to one thing: the people. Every day, I focus on creating an environment where my team can thrive, solve challenges, and grow. Whether it’s refining sales strategies, overcoming objections, or enhancing the customer experience, I’m proud to lead a team that’s always pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. 🚀 Leadership Tip: Real success comes from listening to your team and giving them the tools to succeed. Trusting your team and being adaptable is key to creating a culture of growth and collaboration. 💡 How are you empowering your team to achieve more? Let’s share strategies! #Leadership #RetailManagement #TeamBuilding #Success #Empowerment #GrowthMindset #Aroma360

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According to National Retail Federation's Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D., despite key factors in retail and consumer such as trade, immigration, regulation, tax and spending policies, "there is good reason to expect healthy economic growth in 2025". Read on below for more from Chain Store Age's Marianne Wilson: https://lnkd.in/gTVqUZCQ

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The last few years have underscored the critical need for leaders to step onto the frontlines. Stores are fighting harder than ever to achieve even a modest 1% comp increase. Many leaders have never faced the intensity of treating every week like the end of the quarter. In today’s retail landscape, market share and customer loyalty aren’t given—they’re won. And it’s a battle. If it feels like your effort is deserving of more, consider these leadership profiles. Not all leaders are equipped to be wartime generals. However, the ability to recognize whether the environment calls for a wartime or peacetime approach—and to adapt accordingly—is essential. The best leaders develop both skill sets, inspiring their teams through resilience in crisis and vision in opportunity. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, I anticipate the need for many more wartime generals—leaders who can rise to the challenges of an increasingly competitive and uncertain retail environment. There is no time to rest. #coach #leadership #retail #mindset

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Macy's is adding staff to its women’s shoes and handbags departments in an effort to improve sales. On the company’s third quarter earnings conference call, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. Tony Spring told analysts that the retailer has been testing this initiative at about 100 locations. “Having dedicated runners to get shoes from the stock room and salespeople available to assist in handbags allows our colleagues to spend more time with the customer,” Spring noted.

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Sales dipped and profits were lower for Dillard’s, whose CEO expressed disappointment in the Little Rock-based retailer’s performance. Dillard’s reported Thursday (Aug. 15) revenue of $1.514 billion in the second quarter compared to $1.597 billion in last year’s second quarter. Analysts projected second-quarter revenue at $1.53 billion. #retailsales #earningsreport #departmentstores

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"Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired by its founding family and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool in a deal that values the luxury department store operator at about $6.25 billion, including debt."  https://lnkd.in/gRqknBPp

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“Are you a chicken or eagle?” he asked out of curiosity. Sitting in the receptionist cubicle, I looked down in embarrassment that I didn’t follow thru on a role I wasn’t passionate about. He’d seen me start out at our Skechers Manhattan Beach, CA flagship store and years later running around the showroom halls and always in passing, high fiv’ed me amidst the hustle and bustle he appreciated. In hindsight, in 2017 I was a bold chicken for a minute. Uncertain and scared to navigate a different route I didn’t foresee, I took a leap into the unknown. So. I bit the bullet. In order to become a recruiter, I had to start from the bottom and learn from the ground up. This was a gift both our Director of HR & Talent Acquisition gave me but I couldn’t see clearly at the time. Maybe they did, seeing my strengths knowing perhaps I’d bloom into the art of recruiting. Tested as a Talent Acquisition admin, I had the best of agency and in-house recruiters to pick the minds of, empowered to think creatively in supporting talent attraction goals, took on the hard to fills and catapulted in where needed, learning how every facet connects to other HR functions. In that time, I was seeking mentorship and establishing my credibility. I darn near surprised myself at how easy it was. I was having keyword - FUN! I was aligned with my true calling of enjoying talking too much, exercising my inquisitive nature and learning different personalities and their gifts. I then became Skechers' first-ever Sourcer to support Corporate roles and then the Retail field supporting all the Regional Recruiters across the US. As I felt my jet pack speed up with my wonderful Retail mentors rooting me on, Tesla found me in 2020. When I asked their head of Executive Recruitment “Why me?”, it’s because she saw that I could do everything beyond recruitment in the HR space. So starting from the ground up wasn't a bad idea after all... Taking that scary leap was the best decision ever that opened up more doors to grow me further. I met fascinating bright minds, learned a new industry that unravelled new personal purposes I didn’t see coming. If you take the leap, I can tell you with 100% certainty you’ll uncover other life purposes you’re intended for. If you’re having fun, you’re on the right path. I do think people should give themselves the grace and permission to explore, isn’t that what life is for? Back to the story. “I see you’re an eagle and learning.” …Eagles fly and you’re gonna fly.” our Skechers CEO and Founder tells me that day as he notices I’m oddly behind the receptionist desk and no longer zipping around in the design showrooms this time. These days I feel like I’m flyin’ now, only he knew I was already in flight mode back then. 🥹 Now you know why I came back to this company to help grow it as it has always grown me all along. 🪄 Happy 1st Skechers-versary to me. (Technically 10 years if you add it all up this month). Thank you for the adventures SKX!

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Paul highlights a very insightful observation from then vs now, emphasizing how the retail landscape has changed. It's crucial for retailers to embrace new formats and strategies to meet the evolving needs of consumers. I am excited to witness the industry's transformation with #retailanalytics. From a recent article I stumbled across, I see that Best Buy looks to be adopting the same strategy, along with major retailers like Nordstrom, Target, Khol's, and even IKEA. https://lnkd.in/g3ESUUZY

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My CNBC video interview on Abercrombie & Fitch's blowout sales and profits illustrates the competitive advantage of having a retail merchant as the CEO! Fran Horowitz is a savvy CEO offering Great Fashion for Real Consumers and everybody wins!! #abercrombieandfitch #fashion #cnbc #retail

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I’ve just watched Fran Horowitz being interviewed on CNBC Money Movers program, discussing the latest Abercrombie & Fitch Co. results, having delivered a huge set of Q1 figures. The business has predicted net growth of +10% for the year, up from a previous estimate of 4-6%. Revenue rose for the sixth straight quarter to $1bn. Sales at the Abercrombie and Fitch core brand climbed 29% in the period, smashing already punchy estimates of 17%. Meanwhile teen-focused Hollister Co. delivered +13%, beating estimates of 8%. Since taking over as CEO in 2017, Horowitz has reversed the downward spiral of sales, building revenue from $3.26bn to well over $4bn. In a market as tough as this, that’s bloody impressive. Keeping things simple was the clear message from the interview. The first thing Horiwitz said was: “We are staying so, so close to our customer and really listening.” To begin with, they have really doubled-down on getting the product right. Take the Abercrombie wedding shop for example – The teams realised that a wedding isn’t just a single day now, either for the bride and groom, nor their guests. Instead, it is a three or four day event and attendees need multiple outfits which they plan this well in advance. Abercrombie are delivering a one-stop-shop in a space they’ve never played before. Smart. Similarly, they’ve really paid granular attention as to where their consumer shops; The Abercrombie customer is more likely to research and shop online, even if they collect in-store. However, the Hollister Co. teen loves physical retail, and the mall remains a key part of their social life – Horiwitz has adjusted the real estate accordingly. Horowitz was a great merchant, and her influence and experience really shows. Abercrombie keep their inventory really lean and are able to respond fast to the consumer needs. Too many competitor retailers go too deep, too early and are left with a ton of markdowns. As Horowitz says to interviewer Sara Eisen “We keep inventory very fluid and very open.” The company is also looking at its international markets as another growth channel. During the quarter, sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa were up 19%, led by the U.K. and Germany. In the Asia Pacific region, sales were up 10%, led by China. This video is about three minutes, and it is a distilled lesson in good retail practice. Nothing flash or tricky, just a laser focus on product, customer and location. Worth a watch. DHR Global #retailnews #Q1

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Closing a store is never fun. One of the saddest things, though, is when a location is closing and the team looses passion and integrity and starts to just give up, and not care. My Reebok location in Gonzales, LA is closing in December. We started the closing sale this week. Shipment is cut off, merchandise is selling down. My team, has not given up. They're still spending time with the customer, still helping them find what they're looking for, and still living SPARC's core values in every shift. Last year, i unfortunately closed a Brooks Brothers location. Close to the end, i had an idea to post on an area Facebook group that the store was closing to try to go out with the biggest bang possible, and boy did we! So today, i decided to do the same thing for Reebok. It. Was. Nuts. People kept coming and coming. The store was busier than I'd ever seen it. We were in heaven. The energy was infectious. We turned up the music, filled in the floor with what we had hourly, re merchandised when needed, and ended up more than quadrupling the day's sales goal. Moral of the story. No matter what company you work for, you have a reputation and legacy that you want to leave behind. What kind of leader do you want to be known as being? Have integrity. So much integrity that it hurts. Care for your people, listen to your people and customers. And fight for your people and store until the very end. Lead your team through it and come out on top. The fun has just begun, and i know my team will continue to rock out these last few weeks. As i said, closing a store is never fun... but your people are watching you. You are the example. What example do you want to set? Our DSM, on our Black Friday call today, ended our call with a quote that we need to live by this holiday season..I'm going to end this with that quote... "If you don't change it, then you chose it." What will you choose? Happy holidays all my retail warriors! Best of luck to you all this next week! 😁

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It's a two episode kind of week for the award-winning Remarkable Retail podcast! We wrap up Season 9 with Part 2 of our taking account of my 2024 baker's dozen retail predictions. Our second batch include: 7.  Neiman Marcus and Saks merge. 8. Nordstrom goes private. 9.  Apple's "Vision Pro" is a big nothing burger...for now. 10.  Sustainability schizophrenia hits a new high. 11.  Bailing still doesn't fix the hole among those stuck in the mediocre middle. 12.  Health-related services are this year's retail media networks. 13.  Commercial real estate becomes a slow motion crisis (if we're lucky) How'd I do? Inquiring minds need to listen now! We also preview a bit our upcoming #nrf2025 plans. https://lnkd.in/gQVETqbp

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Masonville Leadership Opportunity Alert Hello future leaders, Do you believe that people are the heart of any organization, and that fostering a positive workplace culture is paramount? Do you prioritize the development of individuals under your guidance, recognizing that investing in people yields long-term success? Do you lead by example, setting high standards and inspiring those around you to reach their full potential? Do you believe that transparency is key to nurturing growth and trust within teams? Do you believe that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible? If these beliefs resonate with you and you're interested in joining our Yonge and Bloor leadership team, I invite you to apply using the link below and share this post with potential leaders you may know. Just Do It!

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Now official: HBC, parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Neiman Marcus Group, parent company of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, for a total enterprise value of $2.65 billion. Key points: 🔑 Upon transaction close, HBC will establish Saks Global, a combination of world-class luxury retail and real estate assets, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, each of which will continue operations under their respective brands. 🔑 Amazon will be an investor in and work with Saks Global to innovate on behalf of customers and brands partners following the close of the transaction. 🔑 Global software investor, Insight Partners, an investor in Saks.com, will be a shareholder in the new company. Salesforce will also become an investor at closing. 🔑 Upon closing of the transaction, HBC’s Canadian business will be recapitalized as a standalone entity, separate from Saks Global. 🔑 Current Saks.com CEO Marc Metrick will become CEO of Saks Global, leading Saks Global’s retail and consumer businesses. 🔑 Ian Putnam, currently President and CEO of HBC Properties and Investments, will become CEO of Saks Global Properties and Investments. https://lnkd.in/e2a4HJZX #retail #retailnews #luxury #departmentstores #fashion

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Celebrating a win for California’s retail safety. Proposition 36 passed! 🎉 Proposition 36 rolls back parts of the controversial Proposition 47. Proposition 47, passed in 2014, was ironically called the “Safer Streets” proposition, even though it was designed to reduce jail overcrowding. It was meant to reverse historic tough-on-crime policies and divert money spent on incarceration to rehabilitation. The crime reform was well-intended but had unintended side effects for organized retail crime prevention. The proposition raised the felony threshold for prosecuting shoplifters to $950. Anyone caught for shoplifting under $950 would be cited with a ticket and released. It wasn’t a strong disincentive for repeat offenders. Ultimately, Prop 47 fueled a surge in commercial burglary (smash & grab) and shoplifting. It’s no surprise that 70.4% of voters approved the new proposition.. Under the new Proposition 36, people found guilty of shoplifting will now be more likely to face felony charges that were previously classified. Shoplifting under $950 is now punishable by up to three years if the offender has “two or more past convictions for certain theft crimes. It also increases potential punishment and jail sentences based on the total amount of goods stolen from prior incidents. Finally, it lengthens felony sentences by up to three years if at least three people jointly commit a theft or property crime or there is property damage. Congrats to all my ORC and LP friends who oversee stores in California! 

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