Eastspring Investments' Tan on Koreas retail consolidation

In today's complex retail market, a clear divide is emerging in the apparel space. While traditional apparel retailers have struggled, traffic to luxury and off-price segments is now outperforming mid-market chains. This highlights the current bifurcation of consumer spending, where shoppers are gravitating towards either high-end experiences or value-driven deals. Learn more in our new white paper: What is Driving Discretionary Spending in 2025? (linked below).

Attention UK retail: John Lewis & Partners just launched their supplier direct platform powered by Mirakl , with Russell & Bromley as their first partner When a 160-year-old institution like John Lewis adopts marketplace technology, it validates the strategic necessity of platform commerce for traditional retailers. They are doing more than going digital, they are seamlessly integrating digital capabilities with their legendary in-store experience and brand curation, and the ability to onboard premium brands like Russell & Bromley in weeks rather than months demonstrates the operational agility retailers need today. For other UK retailers watching this unfold: John Lewis and Partners is showing that you can maintain your brand integrity and customer trust while dramatically expanding your capabilities and speed to market. Actually, this partnership reinforces what we're seeing across Europe: the most forward-thinking retailers are using marketplace technology not to replace their core strengths, but to amplify them. Exciting times ahead for UK retail. https://lnkd.in/ertvdcwi #UKRetail #Marketplace #DigitalTransformation #JohnLewis

Brunello Cucinelli at a multibrand retail conference: "The advent of the web was a delicate moment: in a physical store you can understand who we are; online it is more difficult. In my view, multibrand retailers need to establish a stronger identity online, as they have in physical stores. I understand that e-commerce generates a lot of turnover — although I believe it is not especially profitable — but the risk is that you lose your identity." https://lnkd.in/ejaq9-KG

Casey's General Store has a new leader of its private label assortment with the appointment of Eric Long as vice president of Proprietary Brands. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gm3twMDd #conveniencestore #retail #privatelabel

🛍️ Off-Price Retail Market: A Thriving Sector in 2025 The global off-price retail market is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach USD 883.13 billion by 2035, up from USD 380.82 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. Top Key Companies : The TJX Companies, Inc. Ross Stores, Inc. Burlington Stores, Inc. Nordstrom Rack MACY'S BACKSTAGE, INC. Saks OFF 5TH Bluefly GEO CLEAR 🔑 Key Insights: Consumer Demand: Shoppers are increasingly seeking branded products at discounted prices, driven by economic factors and a desire for value. Product Categories: Apparel and footwear continue to dominate, accounting for a substantial share of the market. Regional Growth: North America leads in market share, but regions like Asia Pacific are emerging as fast-growing markets due to expanding middle-class populations and digital retail penetration. 📈 Market Dynamics: Sourcing Strategies: Retailers are leveraging dynamic inventory cycles and flexible sourcing to maintain profitability. Digital Integration: The rise of e-commerce and omnichannel strategies are opening new revenue streams for off-price retailers. Consumer Behavior: There's a growing preference for sustainable and affordable luxury products, influencing purchasing decisions. For a comprehensive analysis and detailed projections, explore the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eznfqcnG #OffPriceRetail #RetailTrends #MarketGrowth #ConsumerBehavior #Ecommerce #Sustainability #RetailStrategy

After announcing its rollout of 20,000 new products ahead of the holidays, Target plans to open seven new stores this fall (most larger than the average footprint), Dani James shares in Retail Dive. It’s a bold bet on scale at a crucial inflection point for the retailer. But adding square footage and SKUs only works when the experience holds up across every location. Successful #StoreGrowth is supported by clear planogram consistency, strong inventory visibility, and merchandising strategies that actually reflect shopper demand. Otherwise, more space and more stuff just turn into more complexity. What do you think of Target's announcement?

Retail isn’t dying - bad retail is. The apparel & accessories retailers that are winning right now are the ones that are not just selling, but curating. 📈They’re adapting to trends, partnering with fast-growing brands, and putting top-performing products in front of their customers at the right time. ❌ But you can’t optimize your product assortment based on guesswork or last season’s numbers. 📊You need accurate, real-time, data-backed insights to make smart merchandising decisions to see what’s trending, what’s selling, and what your competitors are missing. ➡️ Download the report to get a list of trending, top-selling apparel & accessories brands and products — and discover what your store needs to stay competitive in today’s market. https://hubs.li/Q03hcdzw0 #Retail #CharmData #CharmAnalytics #RetailData #TikTokShop #TikTok #Ecommerce #DTCData #Merchandising #ProductAssortment #Apparel

I was able to contribute to Quartz’s recent article on the resurgence of 1990s-era retail brands. The piece examines how legacy brands are reemerging in the market and what this says about the broader retail transformation. My contribution focused on how these revivals are less about nostalgia and more about strategic reinvention, repositioning legacy brand equity for today’s consumer context. As I noted in the article, “The recent attention on certain retailers cannot be attributed to a single overarching trend. Instead, it reflects a mix of strategic reinvention and market repositioning.” A few key take-aways that stood out to me: >> It’s not enough to ride a nostalgia wave. Brands must re-engineer their business model (product, experience, channel) to align with modern expectations. >> Physical stores remain relevant when they deliver differentiated value (experience, discovery, fulfilment) rather than simply replicate e-commerce. The article captures that nuance in stating: “It’s not that people are abandoning online shopping, it’s that they’re rediscovering what physical stores can offer when they’re done right.” >> The biggest question is sustainability. Short-term social media hype can drive spikes in traffic or sales. The real challenge lies in converting those into durable customer relationships, not just once, but repeatedly. https://lnkd.in/eASmS_Hc

Most F&B brands still treat packaging as a cost center. But the best ones now treat it as a media channel. With attention spans shrinking and shelf competition rising, packaging is no longer just about protection. It’s about presence and storytelling. At DUOMO, I am seeing a shift among winning DTC and retail brands. They use packaging to communicate brand values, tell product stories, and create shareable moments. This is not fluff. It’s a strategic asset. A QR scan, a surprise insert, or even the feel of the box builds emotional stickiness and shareability. Data backs this up. According to Macfarlane’s 2024 consumer survey, 56% of online shoppers say branded packaging encourages repeat purchases. Packaging is no longer the end of your funnel. It’s the beginning of your next conversation. What message is your packaging sending when your product lands in someone's hands? #DUOMOBranding #CreativeProcess #BrandStrategy #PackagingDesign #FMCGTrends

The best merchandising teams know that lasting results don’t come from reacting faster — they come from building smarter. In his latest article, Tariq Zaki, CTO at Shopbox, shares how a long-term merchandising strategy can turn data into creativity, strengthen brand consistency, and drive growth that compounds season after season. 📈 It’s time to make every merchandising decision count — not just for today, but for the future. Read more 👉 http://bit.ly/49j8kFk #Ecommerce #RetailTech #MerchandisingStrategy #AIinRetail #ShopboxAI