Porland of Turkey, one of the five gia Global Honorees this year, has a long, rich and colorful history. We look into what makes this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain stand out from the rest. by Michelle Hespe Porland’s logo features a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette. This elegant symbol conveys both beauty and strength, reflecting the grounding philosophy of this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain. The word…

CHESS 2019 – Retail’s Seismic Shift: Understanding the Forces Changing Housewares Consumers

Presented by: Michael Dart, Partner, Consumer/Retail Practice, A.T. Kearney Retail specialist and visionary, Michael Dart advises retail and consumer companies on how best to navigate retail’s seismic shifts. He combines his economics and finance training from Oxford University and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of experience consulting with A.T. Kearney and Bain & Co. to provide a unique…

Global Retail Intelligence – April

April 14 – JD.com Creates Offline Catering Supply Chain SolutionJD.com with Juqi, a dinning chain in Beijing, announced a supply chain cooperation, positioning JD.com as the first platform in China capable of providing a one-stop supply chain solution covering both the full category of food and materials supply, and integrated warehousing and distribution services. Through the cooperation, JD will also provide intelligent inventory…

Navigating The Wild West of Ocean Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Good Judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." — Will Rogers Here is how the modern shipping business mirrors the Wild West: 1. The “Gold Rush” Boom and Bust Cycles The Old West was defined by the gold rush with sudden, explosive wealth that created overnight millionaires, followed by devastating busts that left ghost towns behind. Shipping operates on the exact same…

IHA Plans Sourcing Mission to Vietnam

To help members investigate alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association will hold a sourcing mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year. The 2020 Vietnam Sourcing Mission will be offered in two sessions: April 20-22 or April 23-25. Each session is limited to just six companies to provide a high level of service and allow for private meetings and factory tours. The dates were chosen to allow…

Guide to Effective Retail Store Design

by Martin M. Pegler If RETAILING is your chosen path of livelihood, here are some simple guidelines you might like to consider when planning your retail store. 1. Let There Be Light! Without the proper light the merchandise cannot be seen or judged, colors cannot be appreciated, coordinates cannot be assembled, nor buying decisions made. Let your light be the best you can afford to install and use—or, if necessary, skimp on…

U.S. Retail Intelligence

U.S. Retail Intelligence – March

March 27 – Star Market Goes Big in FenwayThe retailer is planning a 50,000-square-foot store for a mixed-use development as part of an expansion at 401 Park. From: Win sight Grocery Business March 26 – J.C. Penney's Interim Chief Sees Signs of GrowthJ.C. Penney is seeing weekly improvements, especially in specific growth categories including workout wear and home goods,…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

February 26 – Meijer Plans Supplier Diversity Event In MayMeijer in May will host a supplier diversity event, giving businesses nationwide the opportunity to showcase their offerings for interested merchants at the retailer. From: HomeWorld Business February 26 – Qurate Beats Wall Street Q4 Earnings EstimateQurate Retail beat a Wall Street Q4 earnings estimate as sales…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

January 29 – Walmart Enhances Media Operation To Connect Brands With CustomersWalmart has renamed the company’s media group Walmart Connect in a move to underscore its expanding ability to connect brands and its 150 million weekly customers. From: HomeWorld Business January 29 – Coca-Cola, Walmart Team up to Deliver Coffee-Flavored Soda Via DroneCompanies testing commercial…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

December 30 – Jill Soltau Leaves Her Role as J.C. Penney CEOJ.C. Penney's new owners, mall REITs Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, on Wednesday, said they have launched a search for a new chief executive officer to replace Jill Soltau, who is leaving Thursday. From: Retail Dive December 28 – Retail Furloughs Snowball as Kohl's, Gap Extend Store…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – November

November 30 – Dollar Tree’s Remodeled Stores Lead to Third-Quarter GrowthRetailer said its campaign to overhaul Family Dollar stores is starting to pay off, net sales increased by 7.5% for the quarter. From: Store Brands Today November 29 – Buc-ee's Moves Into Two New StatesA groundbreaking in South Carolina and store opening in Georgia mark its latest expansion beyond…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – October

October 18 – Amazon, Whole Foods Finds Ideal Market in Denver Proving once again that the Amazon-Whole Foods Market partnership is a force to be reckoned with, the retailer opens its latest grocery concept in Denver. From: Winsight Grocery Business October 18 – Wegmans on the Move in Mid-Atlantic In a major play for the Mid-Atlantic, Wegmans plans to open 10 stores and a…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – September

September 20 – Will ShopRite Continue Its North Jersey Reign?With Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, Amazon, Aldi and Lidl setting up shop in northern New Jersey, competition is heating up for the region’s No. 1 grocer. From Winsight Grocery Business September 20 – QuikTrip's Network Reaches 850 C-StoresThe convenience retailer opened four new locations on Sept. 17,…

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