As International Women’s Month draws to a close, we are reflecting on and celebrating the remarkable contributions of women around the world—and in our own industry. I am an unusual retailer in the sense that I knew by the age of 13 that this was the career I wanted to be in. It was not…

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February is Black History Month in the United States, a time to reflect on the invaluable contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and frontline workers who have shaped the retail industry and beyond. As we honor this history, we must also acknowledge the evolving landscape of today’s retail environment—one that presents both opportunities and challenges for…

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The Impact of Flattening Retail Leadership I have been in retail for a long time — long enough to see retail initiative pendulums swing from one extreme to the other time and time again. Retail never seems comfortable in the middle. With the seemingly constant evolution we have to go through in order to keep…

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The December holiday season is a festive time of anticipation, giving, and spending time with loved ones. For many retailers, it’s also the busiest, most hectic time of the year. Especially during pressure-filled times like these, keeping retail team members engaged, motivated, and energized is vital. Engaged associates are not only better able to engage…

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The clock is ticking on the holiday shopping season! With Thanksgiving falling on the very last Thursday of November this year, traditional retailers face an unusually tight window—just four weeks and four critical weekends—from Black Friday to Christmas Day. This year’s December 25th holds even greater significance, as it also marks the first night of…

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Halloween is here and nearly gone, which means we’re pivoting quickly to the holiday season. Kinda scary, isn’t it! As we race towards the end of the year, here are some big questions and priorities to ponder, hopefully with all treats and no tricks in store for you during this critical season: Are your staffing…

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This week marks 15 weeks til Christmas. That’s less than 100 days. With the holiday season fast approaching, traditional retailing is abuzz right now preparing their store and field teams to manage and make the most of the surge of customers who will be shopping for holiday events and the gift-giving season. Yes, there will…

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As the summer season winds down and the back-to-school season starts, many retail organizations face one of the most pivotal times of the year. Fall signals the countdown to Q4, a period that can make or break annual sales targets. It’s a busy and important time. Store and field operations, HR, talent selection and development,…

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July is the quintessential vacation month, and, like many of you, I’m taking the opportunity to do some traveling this month. Over the course of my career in retail store operations, field leadership, and learning and development, I’ve been able to travel to many different places for work, leaving just three states in the U.S.…

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If you’re stretched to the limits and feel like there’s hardly any time to just take a moment out to think, you’re not alone. Our retail clients are busier than ever these days, taking on more tasks and projects with fewer resources, less budget, and less time to get things done. It’s a frantic cycle…

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