Britt Beemer
Britt Beemer
giving january plan retailers sales stayed strong
Retailers had a sales plan for Christmas, stayed with it and then benefited from a very strong January without giving up margins.
companies definitely fighting lower profits retailers today
Retailers are fighting lower profits than in years past. The industry's is definitely more competitive today and companies have to do what they can to not take unnecessary markdowns.
caught change consumers deal extremely retailers short
Retailers are caught in a 'Catch-22' situation. Their costs, such as transportation costs, are going up and this is not going to change in the short term. Meanwhile, their consumers are going to be extremely deal focused.
charged customer measures retailers soon struggle surprised tougher
I won't be surprised if a day comes very soon when the customer is charged $5 for every return. On the one hand, tougher measures frustrate the consumer. But retailers also don't want to struggle with unnecessary discounts.
answer christmas clear deeper heavy help hold hurt january main percent prices retailers sales street wall
I think retailers will hold prices up to 40 percent off before Christmas and then go even deeper in January to clear inventory. No doubt, heavy discounts help sales but they hurt profits. And retailers, more than ever, know that they have to answer to Wall Street and not Main Street.
career employees everybody late looking loses retail sector starting stopped temporary until
Starting in the late 1980s, employees and prospective employees in the retail sector stopped looking at retail as a career opportunity. They look at it as a temporary stopover until something better comes along. When this happens, everybody loses -- employees, customers, stores, etc.
removal retail strength
Some of the this may be attributed to the removal of the quotas and some to the strength of retail sales.
advised aggressive clients consumers extremely less margin money otherwise retail retailers shopping spend super thanksgiving
I see an extremely promotional shopping environment. I've advised my retail clients to be super aggressive Thanksgiving weekend. Retailers don't want to do it from a margin perspective, but otherwise they won't see shoppers in stores. Consumers have less money to spend and they'll take their 'less money' elsewhere.
consumers home others reality retail sofa stores
Consumers look around and see (the Home store's) $1,299 sofa and see others for $699 or $799 at other stores and it's a reality check. I find after the hoopla is over, they become retail museums.
believe cat closer consumers deals early game happen last lots outlast playing retailers waiting willing
Consumers believe that the bigger, better deals happen closer to Christmas, and they're willing to wait. Last year, lots of consumers were disappointed because they didn't see the early discounts. Shoppers are playing a game of cat and mouse, and they're waiting to see if the retailers will outlast them.
certain happens known product retailers return
What's happens is retailers become known for certain things. You want to be known for some product category. You want to be known for a return policy.
cards excited gift people plan putting retailers spring
About 30% of people who got gift cards plan to use them this week. Many retailers are going to be putting out spring merchandise to get people excited about it.
breed chance figures kids parents retailers school season shot sports taking year
Back to school is a very important season for retailers because it's one chance in the year when retailers get a shot at parents and kids at the same time. Historically, sports figures have been the big players; now it's a different breed of endorsers taking over.
apparel consumers early gasoline hot looking recovering retail sales season start toy
Retail sales were pretty good, considering at the start of the season we were looking at $3 gasoline and were still recovering from the hurricanes. Consumers got out early and responded to early-bird specials, but there wasn't much new. There was no hot toy or hot apparel look.