I currently have a full-time job working in the field of
Marketing Print Production and Print Procurement as a PRODUCTION SPECIALIST for
a company that is in both the Service and Retail space.
I often am looking at the state of the Retail Industry. One of the things I have noticed this year is that there are
some Retailers that are having challenges and others that are thriving. Some
retailers have fallen on hard times, here are a few examples:
MACY’S CLOSES 68 STORES:
68 Macy’s store closings (out of a current total of 730 Macy’s
stores). Of the 68, three closed mid-year, 63 will be closed in early spring
2017 and two will be closed in mid-2017. The company estimates that 3,900
associates will be displaced as a result of these closures.
THE LIMITED CLOSES ALL 250 STORES:
The Limited has posted a message on its website saying it is closing
all of its 250 stores nationwide, a move that would make the women’s apparel
chain the latest big-name retailer to be wounded by shoppers’ growing
preference for online shopping and “fast fashion.” Liz Dunn, chief executive of
retail consulting firm Talmage Advisors, says The Limited has suffered from its
inability to keep up with trends. Shoppers, Dunn said, are “looking for really
fast fashion, for things that are hyper-relevant to what’s going on in fashion
right now — and as inexpensive as possible.”
However, not
everyone is on hard times, some retailers are thriving!
WARBY PARKER TO ROLL OUT 25 NEW STORES:
American eyewear and sunglass retailer Warby Parker has announced
plans to open 25 new stores this year. The new openings will aim to expand its
presence in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia, according to Inc.
The brand is currently worth more than $1 billion, and operates 46 retail
locations across the United States
HOLIDAY RTAIL SAILS INCREASED IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Holiday retail sales increased during November and December of
2016—a 4-percent spike over 2015—to $658.3 billion, according to a new National
Retail Federation (NRF) report. Nearly $123 billion accounted for non-store
sales, which were up 12.6 percent over the year before. Overall, numbers
surpassed NRF’s previous forecast of $655.8 billion. December was up 0.2
percent seasonally adjusted from November and 3.2 percent year-over-year.
Monthly increases were also indicated in furniture, furnishings, clothing, and
accessories purchases.
Last year I had the opportunity to attend an incredible
trade show that brings together the best of the best in Retail Displays and POP
and Printing. The show is called GLOBAL SHOP and is attended every year by the
industries top printers, marketing firms, retailers, and merchandising
vendors. You could say it’s the “who’s
who” of the RETAIL industry.
There are a number of shows annually that bring together
individuals in this industry to see what’s new and different in the Retail,
Signage and POP sectors.
Here is a list of shows that are sure not to disappoint if
you’re a Retailer or a Printer or in that industry!
NRF Big Show
January 15th 2017 – January 17th
2017 – New York City
GLOBAL SHOP
March 28th 2017 – March 30th
2017 – Las Vegas, NV
ISA Sign Expo
April 19th 2017 – April 22nd
2017 – Las Vegas, NV
RETAIL INNOVATION CONFERENCE
May 9th 2017 – May
10th 2017 – New York City
SGIA – Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology
October
10th 2017 – October 12th
2017 - New Orleans
https://www.sgia.org/
