Conversations On Retail

Donald Trump’s universal tariff proposals could cause prices to skyrocket on clothing, toys, furniture, household appliances, footwear and travel goods, according to a new report from the National Retail Federation. Trump has said he would impose a 10% or 20% tariff on all imports across the board and a specifically high China rate between 60% and 100%. The NRF found that the impact of Trump’s tariffs would be “dramatic,” leading to double-digit percentage price spikes in nearly all six retail categories that the trade group examined. CNBC, Annie Nova, Rebecca Picciotto

Retailers are bracing for blowback related to DEI policies in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election and the critical holiday shopping season. Some companies are concerned about attending public DEI events while others are strategizing on how to avoid criticism over their policies and programs. “There’s a clear sentiment in the retail community that nobody wants to get Tractor Supply’d,” one retail industry insider told CNBC. CNBC, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Tractor Supply Company, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Ford Motor Company, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Google, Meta, Anheuser-Busch, Target

In a Thursday interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, The Clorox Company CEO Linda Rendle detailed how her company managed to recover after a cyberattack last year disrupted production and seriously hurt business. CNBC, Julie Coleman

French luxury company Hermès has spent nearly 200 years emphasizing quality, scarcity and desirability — a strategy that’s helped it dominate the luxury sector, even over its much larger rivals. Coveted products such as its Birkin and Kelly handbags — named after icons Jane Birkin and Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco — consistently drive demand, even when most consumers pull back their spending. CNBC, Natalie Rice

Nike and Kohl's are still No. 1 choices among consumers for athletic footwear and department stores, according to a consumer sentiment study released by consulting firm AlixPartners. The sneaker giant and legacy department store have recently seen sales fall and need to move quickly to stay in the consumer’s good graces. Alix’s report found all retailers must do a better job of managing inventory if they want to win the consumer dollars this holiday shopping season. CNBC, Gabrielle Fonrouge

Amazon is shutting down a service that offers same-day delivery from mall and brick-and-mortar retailers, CNBC has learned. The company has stopped any new development of the service, called Amazon Today, and will begin to wind it down, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Select retail partners will be able to continue fulfilling orders with Amazon Today through Jan. 24, 2025, Amazon told CNBC.

From Skeptic to Believer Check out this clip from Michael Graen's conversation with Tyler Davis of Woodman's Food Markets and Mark A. Shake of Badger Technologies, about leveraging robots to power high-performing stores. _____________ About Woodman's Food Markets (https://lnkd.in/dFKqj6xb) Established in 1919, Woodman’s has grown steadily over the years through word of mouth, exceptional customer service, huge varieties of products, and extremely competitive pricing. About Badger Technologies (https://lnkd.in/gVGGkcr) Badger Technologies helps retailers maximize store-level execution while lowering operating costs, by providing visibility into actionable analytics that support the identification, prioritization, and notification of high-value exceptions as they occur. _____________ Industry Experts Are Talking. Join The Conversation!

Consumers continue spending, at a slow pace of growth but ahead of expectations. Core retail sales in September 2024 rose 0.4% month-over-month and were up 1.7% year-over-year, according to data released Thursday, Oct. 17 by the U.S. Census Bureau. This beat the Dow Jones estimate of 0.3%. (As defined by the National Retail Federation, core retail sales exclude auto dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.) Chain Store Age, Dan Berthiaume

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Ulta Beauty shares ticked up slightly on Wednesday, as the company stuck by its current forecast and shared its longer-term financial targets. The beauty retailer’s CEO Dave Kimbell said the company is facing stiffer competition and a more dynamic consumer backdrop. The company missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations and cut its full-year forecast in August. CNBC, Melissa Repko