Burt Flickinger
Burt Flickinger
conscience consumers shifting
Consumers increasingly have a conscience and are increasingly shifting to competitors.
higher paying prices retailers seeing supply therefore
Between warehousing, utilities and transportation costs, retailers have been paying unprecedented premiums for their supply chain. Therefore shoppers will be seeing substantially higher prices by year's end.
choose consumers continue eating fat lack proverbial salvation sin sugar
When it comes to their eating habits, consumers will continue to choose the proverbial sin over salvation -- or fat and sugar -- over the lack of it.
billion black christmas critical dollars push sales start starting
It is critical for Wal-Mart to start doing a billion dollars a day in sales starting on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, which is the big 30-day push for Christmas and year-end sales.
adds anywhere came centers cents diesel distances energy greater major mile mistakes prices putting retailers stable stayed
Most retailers made major mistakes of putting their distribution centers at greater distances from each other when energy prices came down and stayed stable in the 80s and 90s . Retailers are long-hauling freight anywhere from 300 to 700 miles. With 50 cents a mile for a 20-ton diesel freight truck, it adds up.
brilliant executive experience extensive
He's a brilliant person, but did not have extensive executive experience
best last minute stores until waiting year
Shoppers are outsmarting the stores even more this year and waiting until the last minute to get the best deals,
good help last news next purchases sales week
The good news is that a lot of shoppers are postponing purchases and going out the last week of the year. So there will be a real sales surge next week, which will help retailers.
company former outsiders rather voice
Now, rather than former outsiders having a big voice in the company, it will become more of a meritocracy.
challenge key presents states
It presents a challenge to Wal-Mart, especially in key battleground states like California,
baby busy critical easily food fully parents staff stock stores time
For busy parents who stock up on baby food and other items, if they can't easily find it in Wal-Mart, they don't have time to go back. They'll just go to the competition. It's critical for Wal-Mart stores to be fully stocked and have experienced staff on weekends.
capitalize fads food next profitable
Food manufacturers will capitalize on fads as long as they're around and its profitable for them. When it's over, it's on to the next thing.
apparel bad barometer consumers last seeing wearing winter wore year
Consumers are wearing this year what they wore last year. We're already seeing a slowdown in apparel and accessories and that's a pretty bad barometer going into the winter season.
matter seem stimulate stores
No matter what the stores do, they still seem to not be able to stimulate spending.