Merchandising

Consolidation has long been a key growth strategy across retail and CPG. Big companies have spent decades buying up competitors, acquiring niche brands, and expanding into new categories. Why? Ideally, a large, varied portfolio would drive scale, diversification, market share, consumer trend alignment, and business growth. But as the industry evolves, are portfolio cracks starting…

In episode 506 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kathy Gagliano, executive vice president of merchandising at Books-A-Million, the second largest bookstore retailer operating more than 220 stores in the United States. The discussion begins with the history of the company, dating all the way back to 1917 (0:55). According to Gagliano, the…

In today’s retail market, the hottest item isn’t always the original product. Increasingly, it’s the dupe. Across social media, influencers regularly spotlight lower-cost alternatives to luxury and premium products, and consumers eagerly pursue these “dupes,” turning imitation into a viral shopping strategy. But for retailers, the dupe economy raises an important question: When does an…

Your next most valuable customer isn't a person. It's an artificial intelligence agent, and it's already shopping. Whether through personal assistants or retailer-embedded tools, AI is shifting retail from search-driven discovery to intent-driven commerce, where the sale is won before a consumer starts browsing. Think that's just wishful thinking from people who work in tech?…

Outdoor retail operates differently than general retail. While many categories are dominated by national chains, outdoor shoppers cast a wider net, with heavier reliance on specialty stores for expertise and community. These shoppers are purchasing gear designed to help them stay comfortable or perform in real-world conditions. They often seek extensive guidance from staff who…

Analyze the structure of any retail organization and you’ll find multiple groups that influence the same outcome yet rarely operate as one system. Merchandising manages the margin at the point of purchase. Operations manages labor and daily execution. Facilities manages the environment that keeps products available and stores functioning. And supply chain is responsible for…

In large retail operations, category management teams spend significant time deciding which product goes onto which shelf and in which order. Shelf space is very expensive real estate in retail. According to Consumer Packaged Goods(CPG) Research, 10 percent improvement in shelf availability can drive a 5 percent sales lift. Shelf updates don’t happen frequently because…

Retail doesn’t have a markdown problem. It has an overassortment problem that shows up as markdowns. The distinction matters. Markdowns are the symptom: visible, measurable, and easy to budget for. Overassortment is the disease: harder to see, harder to quantify, and almost never owned by a single function. At its core, overassortment is a capital…

Generative artificial intelligence is quietly rewiring the product data supply chain. AI can now read, structure and reason over product information at scale, turning product data from a back-office burden into a strategic asset. Retailers still wrestle with fragmented product data arriving in multiple formats. Teams spend significant time normalizing attributes, resolving gaps, and rewriting…

Athletic apparel maker Fabletics is launching its first denim collection, the company announced Tuesday, signaling the once white hot athleisure category is starting to slow down, reports CNBC. The collection, launching online and in select stores on Thursday, will include 11 styles across three levels of stretch and seven washes across both women’s and men’s.…