'You can almost taste the hot chocolate': Why catalogs are still winning holiday marketing

The Latest

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  Deep Dive

  This DC neighborhood used to be synonymous with high-end shopping. Now it's mostly abandoned.

  Friendship Heights was once known for luxury retail in the Washington, D.C. area, but retail options have dwindled.

  Operations

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  Joybird launches first national TV campaign

  The DTC customizable furniture brand is broadening its marketing channels to help it access new customers after experiencing heightened demand.

  Marketing

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  Tupperware to idle factories as it works through inventory backlog

  The home products company had stocked up during the first half of the year to prepare for a surge in demand. That surge has yet to come.

  Operations

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  On-time rates dip for USPS and UPS, climb for FedEx ahead of holidays: Convey

  Staffing shortages and upstream supply chain issues are slowing deliveries for last-mile parcel carriers, Convey by project44 said.

  Operations

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  Dollar Tree pivots to $1.25 prices even as inflation-wary shoppers seek the retailer out

  The company saw a modest sales bump during the third quarter, with consumers chasing value. Meanwhile, supply chain costs have choked margins.

  Operations

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  Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good

  After two years of temporarily shutting locations on the holiday, CEO Brian Cornell told workers that the company will continue doing so moving forward.

  Operations

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  Dr. Squatch rolls out personal care products at Walmart

  Following on the heels of its digitally native peers, an array of the brand's products will be available at over 1,600 physical locations.

  Marketing

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  NPD: Fragrance expected to boost beauty sales this holiday

  More than a quarter of U.S. shoppers are planning to buy a beauty product for the holidays, the report found.

  Marketing

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  Authentic Brands puts IPO on hold as it brings in new investors

  Current investors sold significant stakes to CVC Capital Partners and HPS Investment Partners as the branding specialist chases more growth. 

  Marketing

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  Deep Dive

  There may be more 'teeth' coming to board diversity efforts. What does that mean for retail?

  Nasdaq's diversity disclosure rule could be just the beginning as investors increasingly expect retailers to diversify their boards.

  Operations

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  Francesca's slapped with trademark lawsuit over 'Franki'

  The tween brand was just launched as a stand-alone banner earlier this month, and another tween brand, Frankie's on the Park, says it's too confusing.

  Marketing

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  Macy's hires the firm behind Saks' e-commerce spinoff

  With activist investors reportedly pushing the department store, Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette acknowledged how Wall Street values online-only retail.

  Operations

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  Column

  The Weekly Closeout: Amazon clashes with Visa and Petco posts 'record' Q3

  The e-commerce giant said it will no longer accept United Kingdom-issued Visa credit cards for transactions, while the pet retailer reported double-digit growth in owned brands.

  Marketing

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  Glossier opens second store this year with new LA flagship

  The location in West Hollywood is just a few blocks away from where the DTC beauty brand had a previous store on Melrose Place.

  Marketing

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  Foot Locker names COO as sales grow 13% over 2019

  Frank Bracken will take on the newly created role, overseeing global operations, including customer experience, technology and supply chain.

  Marketing

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  How e-commerce retailers stacked up in Q3

  A flood of DTC brands entered the public markets this year. Now, we're seeing how those companies and other online brands are holding up.

  Updated Nov. 23, 2021

  DTC

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  Kohl's enjoys some upside from inventory scarcity

  Margins spiked and inventory turn reached a 10-year high as product levels came in 25% below 2019 amid shipping delays. 

  Operations

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  Nordstrom employs drop-ship model in new Fanatics partnership

  Nordstrom says the deal reflects a departure from wholesale. But one analyst says it's more of an evolution, and a sign that department stores still matter.

  Operations

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  Home Depot, Lowe's top estimates in Q3

  The retailers lapped 2020's figures when demand in the category skyrocketed. But winning over the pro segment may be key to maintaining that strength.

  Consumer Trends

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  CVS plans to close 900 stores

  The drugstore retailer also announced new leaders of its retail business as it refocuses around omnichannel and health services.

  Operations

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  Nearly half of Victoria's Secret's merchandise is delayed as the holidays approach

  The retailer posted a solid Q3, but said it doesn't expect to get some orders in at all due to supply chain disruptions.

  Operations

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  Deep Dive

  Grocers chase the promise of e-commerce personalization

  Customization tools like shoppable recipes and product recommendations are helping consumers cut through the clutter of center store. But retailers are only scratching the surface of what's possible.

  Technology

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  ICSC: 86% of consumers will shop over Thanksgiving weekend

  Shoppers are nearly evenly split in their decision to shop in stores versus online on Thanksgiving Day. 

  Consumer Trends

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  Starbucks, Amazon Go open cashierless store concept in NYC

  The two plan to open additional stores in 2022, as more retailers experiment with grab-and-go technology. 

  Technology

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  Black Friday is early again this year, and maybe forever

  Shoppers are already out and about. But an unreliable supply chain and lingering pandemic have retailers and their customers changing their behavior.

  Operations

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