John’s Blog

Pick up a local newspaper or switch on the TV or radio and there is a retailer promoting a special on something. In Australia supermarkets have been promoting cheap liquor and a thumbs down promotional sign on specific “loss leader “items. Then across the world to the UK and “Everyday Low price” signs are scattered around a leading supermarket. Everyone seems to be playing the price game at present. One

This was the title to a presentation I made to the International Council of Shopping Centres Conference at their 2011 conference in Istanbul, Turkey this April. When you look at the initial research on shopping centres and shopping you may believe customer boredom is not the case. In Turkey in 2001 there were 53 shopping centres, now there are over 250 centres with more on the way [Ref Tuik Gyoder].

Over the last few weeks a number of clients have asked me what I thought about the book “Priceless” by William Poundstone. I have had to be honest and tell them I have been unable to get a copy of the book. I have finally found a copy at an airport bookshop. Priceless, (ref 9781921640957 Scribe Publications Ltd) has caused a bit of a storm in the retail market place

If you have never been to China you probably have a view of what the country is like and perceptions of what retailing is like. Travel to China and you will be surprised at some of the aspects of retailing and business. We arrived at Shanghai’s new airport and travelled west to Hangzhou, as expected the traffic was awful and you could smell the pollution, all the aspects of the

I recently spoke at the Hangzhou Lifestyle Conference in China. One of the other speakers was Kevin Castllani, Publishing Director of Furniture Today, the USA trade magazine. He presented some interesting data on the lifestyle furnishing industry which I thought some of you may be interested in. According to the US Customer Service International Trade Commission Casual Living Market Research the industry imports to the USA are as follows: 2009

I recently shared the conference stage in the USA with Richard George a professor of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Richard is from the food industry, but his presentation was based on his book and the rules of marketing. After the presentation I was presented with a book and it is one of those books full of simple common sense that alas is so often rare. It

While in Manitoba we attended and spoke at the conference. Another speaker was Dianna Mae Hocaluk who is responsible for the organisation of the markets in the Province. She gave an excellent talk on the 10 qualities needed in a farmers market and I would like to share those thoughts with you; The RIGHT vendors – Competition between vendors is important and they are the heart of the market. Emphasis

This may have been the longest and whitest winter for many years in the USA, but it has not stopped farmers being innovative retailers. I have come across three initiatives that are worth noting; 1 National Apple Month This is organised by the US Apple Association and is held in the fall. The best apple promotions are judged in February and the results have just been announced. The winners were

Every supplier is looking at how they can develop a green image and the shoe industry is no different. Robert Prince sent me these photos from the catwalk to show how the garden industry is being used as a back drop by other industry sectors. I am finding paint companies and other suppliers are doing the same. Everyone wants to be perceived as a caring green company and hence this

Ireland is one of those European countries that has suffered more than most in the post recession period. Along with Greece, Spain and Portugal it has seen a faltering economy and the government having to invest heavily to keep the economy going. Linda and I have just been in Ireland where I was talking to the garden retail industry. The mood was very upbeat. House prices may have dropped by

Many retailers are unaware of what is going on in their business, yet we are all concerned about making a profit. I realize some of you will dispute this fact, but I presented at a conference recently to around 150 retailers. During the presentation I asked them how one category was performing per square metre compared to another category. Alas, nobody was prepared to speak up and tell, me the

I have been spreading the message over the last few months that the big end of town will soon take action to counter the increased pentetration of farmers markets around the world. The start of 2011 has seen those moves take place. First it was Wal Mart who announced that by 2015 they would have a one billion dollar fresh food offer in all of their stores and they will

In the USA in December 53.9% of the population purchased gift cards as Christmas presents according to the International Council of Shopping Centres and reported in 20 Jan 2011 USA Today by Jayne O Donnell. In January 36.3% were redeemed compared to 45% in the same month last year. Teenagers are the most likely people to redeem their gift card. According to the research consumers would rather purchase a sweater

I often talk about the key to success is really knowing your customer. I recently came across a great example of how critical this can be. In Germany they have Advent Wreaths, something unique to this country in Europe. These wreaths have four candles on them. One candle is lit every week in the four weeks coming up to Christmas. The wreaths are used in people’s homes, restaurant and other

It is that time of year when I ma asked what is going to be the colour trend for the next tweleve months. The colour trends are led by the paint manufactureres such as Pantone. Robert Prince, Chief Executive of the Nursery and Garden Industry in Australia sent me these details from Pantone. 2011 The Year of Honeysuckle PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle Energizing Honeysuckle Lifts Spirits and Imparts Confidence to Meet

The UK has just recorded its coldest Novenmber day breaking all records, plus this is only the start of winter. Take a walk down the High Street and everyone is wrapped up in scarfs, gloves and winter clothes. They then enter stores and it starts to look like a striptease act. While temperatures outside have got as low as minus 17 centigrade, once the consumer enters the shop the temperature

Customers walk into your store and your job is to get them to stop and look at the products on offer, hopefully if you can achieve that they will be enticed into buying the product on offer. Your “Show Stopper” strategy is critical if you are to grow your sales in 2011. The start of a new year is the ideal time to review your yearly “show stopper “ strategy

Retailing has done it tough over the last year, but Chritmas is the time when in theory all that changes. The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is when retailers in theory start paying money to themselves rather than the taxman. Thus Black Friday has proven to be a necessary positve retailing day in that part of the world and all the signs are it was a reasonable trading day.