Julie Zambie

Building the capacity, namely the team, is a unique challenge to tackle for fast growing organizations like Emily McCarthy + Co. Did you get to listen to the conversation with Emily McCarthy ? https://lnkd.in/ev8GZAJr #retailgrowth #retailpodcast #scaleyourbusiness #smallbusinesspodcast

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“U.S. consumer sentiment fell to its lowest reading in about five months in May.” “The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped to 69.1 in May from 77.2 in April. The reading, however, was slightly higher than the preliminary estimate of 67.4.” “Sentiment also remains almost 20% above a year ago and about 40% above the all-time historic low in June 2022, “reflecting how much consumer views have improved as inflation eased,” noted Joanne Hsu, director, surveys of consumers, University of Michigan.” “The prospect of continued high interest rates also weighed down consumer views, she added.” “”These deteriorating expectations suggest that multiple factors pose downside risk for consumer spending,” she said. Still, sentiment remains almost 20% above a year ago and about 40% above the all-time historic low in June 2022, reflecting how much consumer views have improved as inflation eased.”

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“The latest shipping data is beginning to reveal what U.S. retailers expect from shoppers during peak season — a discerning U.S. consumer looking for deals and discounts in the mid-range price category, according to the exclusive CNBC Supply Chain Survey.” “This is the time of year when most freight orders start to be placed to get ahead on inventory for back-to-school and holiday shopping, and the response from supply chain respondents to the survey suggests a healthy, if cautious consumer, and a holiday season that is shaping up to be within a normal range.” “According to the respondents, based on the freight orders they are scheduled to move during peak season, U.S. companies will be importing slightly more items for the holidays this year as compared to last year.” “Almost 80% of current freight orders received for peak season are for mid-range price items, the survey shows. Similar to last year, respondents expect less consumer appetite for luxury and aspirational luxury items imported.” “Participants indicated that they have received fewer orders for the transport of cheaper, promotional items, compared to 79% of those surveyed saying they are expecting consumers to shop in the middle-price-point space. A majority of respondents (69%) said they expect consumers to continue to search for discounts.” “Despite the slightly higher volumes expected to be moved, and the marginally higher-price point items, participants are not bullish on a consumer buying binge, with 56% of respondents still concerned about a consumer pulling back later this year.” ““Consumer spending has recovered from a winter slowdown — but a market turn is still possible later this year, and consumer spending is expected to dip this holiday season,” said D’Andrae Larry, head of intermodal at Uber Freight.” “”We will be moving more middle-market luxury goods,” one survey respondent noted. “Think Home Goods versus Bloomingdale’s.”” - Lori Ann LaRocco

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Big news today: Yahoo DSP advertisers now have access to Kroger audiences for both reach and measurement. We believe in measuring real outcomes. Marketers need every advertising dollar to deliver against meaningful results. We’re committed to being platform-agnostic. Advertisers want to activate purchase-based audiences in their existing programmatic tech. And Yahoo is one of the key leaders in the space. Read more in @Adweek (link in comments) #KrogerPrecisionMarketing @8451 #RetailMedia #Programmatic

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Check out Ed Wogan's feature in Retail Today's Q2 executive roundtable about personalization and data. #RetailMarketing #ConsumerTrends #Valuedynamx #Cardlinkedoffers

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I'm super excited to be joining Shelley E. Kohan and The Robin Report tomorrow to discuss retail trends through the lens of location analytics! Register below to hear more on the latest trending topics across retail sectors!

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ODDITY has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim direct-to-consumer #retail environment. Not only are they profitable (not just EBITDA positive but actual GAAP profitable), they're #growing consistently at a time when the #beauty industry is warning of a slowdown. Finance chief Lindsay Drucker Mann told me about half of Oddity's sales are from repeat customers so its growth isn't just related to autoship subscriptions. What sets Oddity apart from other beauty and wellness companies is it's using #AI to develop new products based on what it's learning from customers. It's setting out to make products that actually work, which keeps customers coming back. Is #AI Oddity's secret sauce? Or is there something more to this story? #dtc #ecommerce #retailindustry #cosmetics #wellness #earnings https://lnkd.in/dbKqh59E

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As a consumer insights professional, you have to accept you will never understand all of your consumers' behaviors all of the time. For example, there is NEVER ANY REASON TO REACH OVER THE SNEEZE GUARD AT CHIPOTLE. EVER! Even if you are Barack Obama, I can assure you that the worker knows what "pico" or "no corn" or "yes, I know guac is extra" means without your grubby hands reaching into the food area. There is no data or research or analysis that will ever make this understandable or acceptable. #ConsumerInsights #MRX #MarketResearch #Chipotle

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“Gross domestic product, a broad measure of goods and services produced in the January-through-March period, increased at a 1.6% annualized pace when adjusted for seasonality and inflation, according to the department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.” “Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for an increase of 2.4% following a 3.4% gain in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.9% in the previous period.” “Consumer spending increased 2.5% in the period, down from a 3.3% gain in the fourth quarter and below the 3% Wall Street estimate. Fixed investment and government spending at the state and local level helped keep GDP positive on the quarter, while a decline in private inventory investment and an increase in imports subtracted. Net exports subtracted 0.86 percentage points from the growth rate while consumer spending contributed 1.68 percentage points.” “The personal consumption expenditures price index, a key inflation variable for the Federal Reserve, rose at a 3.4% annualized pace for the quarter, its biggest gain in a year and up from 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Excluding food and energy, core PCE prices rose at a 3.7% rate, both well above the Fed’s 2% target. Central bank officials tend to focus on core inflation as a stronger indicator of long-term trends.” “Spending patterns also shifted in the quarter. Spending on goods declined 0.4%, in large part to a 1.2% slide in bigger-ticket purchases for long-lasting items classified as durable goods. Services spending increased 4%, its highest quarterly level since the third quarter of 2021.” “Investors have had to adjust their view of when the Fed will start easing as inflation has remained elevated. The view as expressed through futures trading is that rate reductions will begin in September, with the Fed likely to cut just one or two times this year. Futures pricing also shifted after the GDP release, with traders now pointing to just one cut in 2024, according to CME Group calculations.” “”The economy will likely decelerate further in the following quarters as consumers are likely near the end of their spending splurge,” said Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial. “Savings rates are falling as sticky inflation puts greater pressure on the consumer. We should expect inflation will ease throughout this year as aggregate demand slows, although the path to the Fed’s 2% target still looks a long ways off.”” - Jeff Cox

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🚀 Insights from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon on eCommerce and Omnichannel Retail. Brilliant interview, thanks Stratechery. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 🔹 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Initially, the potential of eCommerce was underestimated, but the acquisition of Jet.com was a game-changer. It brought in essential expertise and new perspectives, enabling Walmart to aggressively pursue and integrate digital retail. 🔹 𝐎𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Leveraging its vast network of physical stores, Walmart has created a seamless omnichannel experience. With stores in close proximity to customers, especially for groceries, Walmart has a unique competitive edge. Integrating supply chain and technology across channels has enhanced both customer experience and operational efficiency. 🔹 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The transition to a tech-savvy retailer required adopting agile methodologies and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Significant investments in automation and AI are optimizing Walmart’s supply chains and inventory management, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to retail technology. 🔹 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞: Integrating grocery with eCommerce has been a major advantage for Walmart. The grocery business drives frequent customer visits and supports the broader eCommerce strategy, solidifying Walmart’s market position by offering a comprehensive shopping experience both online and in-store. 🔹 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Walmart’s marketplace and its advertising platform, Walmart Connect, are crucial areas of focus. These initiatives aim to diversify revenue streams, enhance customer acquisition, and leverage Walmart's scale in both physical and digital retail. Do you follow Walmart's journey? #EmerceConsulting #Ecommerce #RetailInnovation #Omnichannel #Walmart #Leadership #TechnologyInRetail

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Big news today: Yahoo DSP advertisers now have access to Kroger audiences for both reach and measurement. We believe in measuring real outcomes. Marketers need every advertising dollar to deliver against meaningful results. We’re committed to being platform-agnostic. Advertisers want to activate purchase-based audiences in their existing programmatic tech. And Yahoo is one of the key leaders in the space. #KrogerPrecisionMarketing @8451 #RetailMedia #Programmatic

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Exciting news! Path to Purchase Institute just published my latest article on Impulse Shopping. At Provoke Insights, we surveyed 1,500 individuals across the US to uncover who's most prone to impulse buying and which industries are most susceptible to impulse shopping. Our findings reveal crucial strategies for marketers. Big thanks to Melissa Conforto for her hard work on this project! #ImpulseShopping #MarketingInsights #marketresearch https://lnkd.in/e5DV3MUx

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A very timely discussion on the importance of demand planning and leveraging today's technology to determine the right product, at the right time/place and in the right quantity. "Using sales history alone isn't enough. Predictive analytics and customer feedback are key to driving more sales and increasing gross margins." - Liza Amlani 🎙 Join me, Guy Courtin, Vice President of Industry and Advanced Technology at Tecsys Inc., and Philip Barry, Global Industry Executive Advisor at Icertis, as we discuss how predictive analytics and customer insights are reshaping inventory management. In This Episode: ⭐ Learn how demand forecasting algorithms optimize inventory to reduce costs and increase efficiency. 🤖 Discover the impact of real-time data and machine learning on inventory management. 🔎 Uncover insights into how technology boosts profitability and enhances customer satisfaction. Dive into the discussion and transform your retail strategy with expert insights! Tune in to the Retail Cloud Alliance's Retailer Tech Tips series here: https://bit.ly/3Kanfnp #retail #retailtechnology #assortmentplanning #demandplanning #merchandising #supplychain #topretailexpert #TRE RETHINK Retail

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𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐆!🎉🎉 𝑹𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝑮𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒆𝒑 delves into the heart of the topics that really matter in retail. I take a magnifying glass🔍to compelling topics pulled from my podcast episodes, media contributions, and those of industry leaders, expanding on key points and ideas that deserve a closer look.🥸 Inaugural article: 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞🚩A recent RetailWire article asked the burning question: Are flagship stores necessary for retail brands? I pointed out that flagships aren't a must-have for every brand, but they sure are a nice-to-have for many. Flagships are a fantastic way for brands to take control of customer experience, own the brand story, and show off the latest and greatest in-store tech.  𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄 https://lnkd.in/gpcn2Gmp

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ICYMI: In-store retail media spend will grow to $1 billion in 2028 but will not reach 1% of total retail media spend (EMarketer): In-store retail media ad spend will reach $1.06 billion by 2028, accounting for 0.8% of all retail media spend, according to our March 2024 forecast. Beyond the chart: In-store retail media’s growth is the result of a growing number of screens at retailers. Almost all (99.3%) of retail media ad dollars will be put toward […] #DOOH #digitalbillboards #digitalsignage

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From E-Marketer: In-store retail media ad spend will reach $1.06 billion by 2028, accounting for 0.8% of all retail media spend, according to our March 2024 forecast. In their beyond the chart: In-store retail media’s growth is the result of a growing number of screens at retailers. 💡 When Walmart pulled out the Smart Network around $100MM in retail media went poof. Of course more screens = more $$. But what we need are quality screens smartly placed in the path to purchase! There are plenty of screens in retail right now - take a look at all those kiosks and atm's in the front of the store each one with a new screen on top. Even coming soon to an ice machine near you. Almost all (99.3%) of retail media ad dollars will be put toward digital channels this year, per our March 2024 forecast. Digital's share of retail media ad spend will hold steady through the end of our forecast period in 2028. However, the majority of retail sales (83.7% this year) will occur in brick-and-mortar stores, highlighting an opportunity for retailers to integrate more digital media into their customers’ in-store buying journey. 💡 This is the real value of in-store retail media! Media and content focused on the path to purchase. Hint: It's not DOOH and it's not Times Square.

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