The Business of Retail

There is an escalating war of engagement  by brands  in an overcrowded and noisy consumer marketplace. We can’t compete without digital and we can’t afford to get it wrong. But beyond the hype, are current levels of spend sustainable?  Why are so many overemphasizing acquisition over retention?

George and Gary wanted to get real about what might happen  to the retail sector whenever we get to a point of full return, no restrictions  - and what might be a very serious concern that dampens the mood of at least some the sector. On a lighter note, David wondered why the heck we are calling a potential spending surge "revenge spending" ?!?!  "Waking Up From The Big Sleep" is the theme of Ep 17

The TBOR team invited guest Claude Sirois, the forward-thinking former President of Retail at Canadian Shopping Centre giant  Ivanhoe Cambridge, to a two-part discussion.  

Part 2 takes a look at what the future of “physical” for retailers, developers, and landlords might look like, including tremendous opportunities to collaborate on innovation in real estate.

The TBOR team invited guest Claude Sirois, the forward-thinking former President of Retail at Canadian Shopping Centre giant  Ivanhoe Cambridge, to a two-part discussion.  

Part 1 reviews the deep, persistent shifts in the real estate landscape the past few years and the jarring impacts on landlords and tenants triggered by Covid responses.  

Part 2 in two weeks will take a look at what the future of “physical” for retailers, developers, and landlords might look like.

Perhaps this should be titled The High Cost of Data Illiteracy in Retail.  In fairness, retail is very literate about a narrow range of data: skus and sales. 

But how many retail leaders have a vision and roadmap behind statements such as "we are a data driven business" or have applied critical thinking to scope out a range of data needs, over time, rather than rely on what a particular platform might provide or push it to a mid-level department?   How do decision-makers across the business learn to use insights wisely?

We are joined by the former long-time CEO of Air Miles / Loyalty One and regular Forbes contributor, Bryan Pearson, to 'get real' about data and insight - what it means, what it requires and what blocks its value.  Hint: it must start at the top.  

 

Lale Kesebi joins the discussion from Hong Kong. Lale is an ex c-suite executive of global distribution giant Li & Fung and has built upon her sterling track record of transformations in her counsel to CEOs in her Human At Work advisory.    We delve into the need for substantive change in retail cultures to enable successful transitions for legacy retailers.

As we gather stories of the plight of iconic independent stores and restaurants closing for good under pandemic guidelines, we discuss the bigger ripple effects beginning with streetfronts and local communities.  Can the damage still be mitigated in 2021?

It’s the start of 2021 and where are all the futurists?  Is it because of COVID chaos?  Or is something else changing in how we look to the Future?

What legacy frameworks are holding back retail progress?  And what mental models are helpful to disrupted retailers to help them move forward to compelling retailing propositions and be successful in future?

The The Business of Retail team reflects back on the year 2020 and discusses key takeaways.

The Business of Retail team invite guest speaker Marina Strauss to discuss where Canadian retail heading.

With a deep knowledge of corporate retail and the players in Canada, Marina Strauss is an award winning writer, recently retired from the Globe and Mail and  is now the director of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.

Department Stores have been part of the North American retailing landscape for several generations, however, over the last decade they seemed to have struggled to re-orientate themselves to remain relevant with a compelling proposition in the "Age of Amazon".

Is it time for their leadership teams to make some bold moves to succeed? If so, what radical changes should they consider to “jump start” their propositions for the 2020’s and to set trends?

In this episode  the Team is joined by  retail people person, Jackie Ross,  to speak on the topic - The World of Work.

The world of work in retail has been transitioning pre-pandemic, but during COVID this is becoming perhaps the biggest challenge facing retail execs.   For executives and their teams, what will careers, leadership and technical skills look like beyond 2020?   Will retailers be compelled to make radical changes to organizational structure, to culture, talent they are looking for as they respond to fast evolving consumer needs? 

(Jackie is the Founder and CEO of JRoss Retail Recruiters, a leading Canadian talent agency for the sector, and  she is a true thought leader of people trends in the business.)

An ongoing C-suite discussion amongst senior experts, focusing on the transformation a pandemic is accelerating throughout the retail ecosystem. 

The Business of Retail is: George Minakakis, Craig Patterson, David Ian Gray, Gary Newbury,  and Christine Cowan.  From time to time, notable guests will join in on  our exploration of underlying issues and root causes behind the headlines.