Berns Communications Group

True Religion is on a mini store-opening spree! Three new locations will launch in November across Illinois, New York and Texas. It's exciting to see such an iconic company making big moves! ?? Read Alicia Esposito's great coverage in Retail TouchPoints here: https://lnkd.in/ebgWHWby

New research from AlixPartners reveals that retailers need to up their game this holiday season. Consumers are demanding a consistent experience across online and in-store channels, with 66% willing to walk away if they can't find the products they saw online in physical stores. Key takeaways for retailers: ?? Omnichannel is Key: Ensure consistent pricing and product availability across all channels. ?? Empower with Information: Most shoppers research online before visiting stores, so focus on providing detailed product information and self-service options. ?? Free and Fast Shipping: Free and fast shipping is a must-have for online purchases. ?? Re-evaluate Add-Ons: Consider the value and ROI of add-on services like BNPL and social shopping. “Consumers may be shopping digital channels first, but they are back in stores and incredibly frustrated when pricing is inconsistent or they can’t find in-store what they saw online,” said Sonia Lapinsky, an AlixPartners’ managing director. “Retailers need to reallocate resources to what matters for consumers—nailing the seamless experience and getting the right product in the right place. It’s crucial for retailers to hit the mark this season, or consumers will take their dollars elsewhere.” Shoutout to Bruce Crumley for the great feature! https://lnkd.in/e-VeQMDr #Retail #Omnichannel #CustomerExperience #HolidayShopping #AlixPartners

Ulta Beauty is making big moves by partnering with Rokt to expand its retail media network to include non-beauty advertisers, tapping into new revenue streams and widening its appeal beyond the beauty industry. Rokt's AI-powered platform transforms advertising into a personalized discovery experience for Ulta shoppers, seamlessly connecting them with relevant products and offers that feel like curated recommendations. This evolution allows brands in categories like wellness and personal care to connect with Ulta’s highly engaged customer base. As the retail media landscape continues to grow, Ulta's innovative approach highlights how retailers can create meaningful, data-driven ad opportunities for brands across industries. This is a strong example of how forward-thinking companies are unlocking new possibilities. Check out the full coverage in Glossy here: https://lnkd.in/e7kmRVSW #RetailMedia #Ulta #Rokt #Innovation

With financial wellness at the forefront of workplace trends, Earned Wage Access (EWA) is becoming a key benefit for employers. Companies like WorkJam are stepping up by offering digital workplace solutions that include EWA as part of a broader engagement strategy. By giving employees access to wages in real time, WorkJam helps businesses reduce turnover, boost productivity, and improve employee satisfaction. As this article from Canadian HR Reporter explores, EWA can enhance financial stability for workers while supporting employers' goals. Read more here! https://lnkd.in/er3zu3je #EmployeeEngagement #EarnedWageAccess #WorkJam #FinancialWellness

As the holiday season approaches, the recent Fed rate cut could significantly impact consumer spending, debt, and BNPL trends. In his latest Forbes article, Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth outlines how lower rates may encourage consumers to manage debt more strategically, with a potential rise in buy now, pay later (BNPL) usage. Retailers seem set to benefit from consumers' increased financial flexibility, driving spending on gifts and essentials. This trend highlights the ongoing role of BNPL in reshaping the holiday shopping experience. Get the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e2xRuAkH #Retail #BNPL #HolidayShopping #ConsumerSpending #FederalReserve #InterestRates

True Religion has just revealed an exciting partnership with Megan Thee Stallion for its 2024 holiday campaign. Megan, known for her bold style and music, will star in the campaign, which aims to infuse her distinct energy into the brand. This collaboration marks a significant moment for True Religion as it taps into Megan's powerful influence to further connect with its audience and elevate the brand's cultural relevance this season. Read the coverage in WWD here: https://lnkd.in/esBpkaqy #TrueReligion #MeganTheeStallion #HolidayCampaign #Fashion #Partnership

The healthcare sector's embrace of the "Embedded Everything" economy is a powerful signal of where industries are headed, and financial services are following suit. Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth is at the forefront of this shift, leading with embedded finance solutions that seamlessly integrate into consumers' daily lives. As sectors like healthcare and finance adopt embedded services, they pave the way for a more connected, personalized, and real-time economy, transforming both patient care and consumer finance experiences. Watch the full PYMNTS interview here: https://lnkd.in/e49saG6S #EmbeddedEconomy #HealthcareInnovation #EmbeddedFinance #ConnectedCommerce #FutureOfFinance #Splitit

?? Key Takeaways from the 2024 CEO Summit ?? The 2024 CEO Summit, hosted by Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US & RLC Global Forum, delivered insightful discussions on the future of retail from some of the industry’s top minds. Here are some key takeaways: ? Walmart's Focus: Digital grocery and influencer marketing are driving forces in retail. Interestingly, consumer pantries stick to roughly 42-43 brands. John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S., predicts that generative AI will transform how consumers shop. By analyzing purchase history and understanding personal events, AI can provide intuitive recommendations and seamless experiences. This shift will allow shoppers to focus on more meaningful purchases, while AI handles the mundane. ? GenAI Revolution: Wharton Professor Ethan Mollick also showcased the power of generative AI, specifically for corporate tasks like financial analysis and business creation. ? Sustainability in Fashion: The industry faces challenges with garment usage and overproduction, says Dana Thomas, author of "Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes." Consumers buy more clothes but spend less of their budget on them. During a dinner Monday evening, Mary Dillon, President and CEO of Foot Locker, Inc., received the Retail Excellence Award. This well-deserved recognition celebrates her exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to philanthropy. Dillon's impressive career includes leading Ulta Beauty to become a top beauty destination and making history as only the third woman to lead two Fortune 500 companies. New Balance, the sneaker label loved by cool kids, prioritizes quality over quantity in athlete partnerships, according to Naveen Lokesh, the brand’s head of global sports marketing for basketball and football. They carefully select athletes like basketball star Cameron Brink, conduct thorough due diligence, and leverage those partnerships to build authentic stories and secure broader deals with leagues like the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). This "athlete-first" approach helps them reach new consumer bases and drive brand growth. Panos Linardos, Chairman of the RLC Global Forum, urges retail leaders to embrace bold thinking and action in these turbulent times. The 2024 CEO Summit aimed to equip leaders with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the evolving retail industry. #CEOSummit #Retail #Sustainability #GenAI #Innovation #FutureofRetail

As EVs take center stage, Kinetic Automation is addressing a crucial question: Who's going to fix these high-tech vehicles? Founder and CEO Nikhil Naikal, in a recent interview with Yahoo Finance host Josh Lipton on Asking for a Trend, highlights the shift in automotive technology from mechanical to digital systems. This evolution demands a new approach to repair, one that prioritizes precision and efficiency. Kinetic Automation is stepping up to this challenge by leveraging AI and robotics to provide cutting-edge repair services for EVs. Check out the full interview to learn more about how Kinetic Automation is shaping the future of EV repair! https://lnkd.in/g9Gn7JHe #EV #ElectricVehicles #Repair #AI #Robotics #AutomotiveTechnology #Innovation #KineticAutomation

We’re thrilled to share that Narvar has appointed Anisa Kumar as CEO, a significant milestone in the company’s journey. Anisa has been a key player since joining as Chief Customer Officer in 2021, and her leadership will guide Narvar into its next phase of innovation and growth. This transition also sees founder Amit Sharma stepping into an advisory role after 12 years of transformative leadership. We are honored to support Narvar during this exciting time and grateful for Amit’s vision in shaping the company into a post-purchase leader. ?? #Leadership #Innovation #Narvar #PostPurchase #Ecommerce