Stores that offer convenience and deals are winning, shares today’s WSJ. Sales at Walmart, Target, and T.J. Maxx are up while they’re murky at Macy’s, J.C. Penny, and Nordstrom. Just offering deals isn’t enough, nor is just offering next-day delivery. A store is going to have to accept smaller margins via deals and convenience offerings. The alternative is: join Macy’s with its 50% stock drop.
Nordstrom’s sales are down 5% and profit fell about $20m.
Kohl’s, which has a partnership with Amazon, ...
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August 8, 2019
August 8, 2019
I read the New York Times and want to ask: Are we sharpening our executioner's sword? That is what FedEx wondered as it helped Amazon grow by delivering its packages. Finally, FedEx woke up and decided it's better to make less money tomorrow than help usher in its death in the near future. As the Times reports, FedEx is terminating its ground delivery agreement with Amazon at the end of August, thereby passing on the delivery of millions of packages.
Amazon has historically partnered with ...
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March 16, 2018
March 16, 2018
For Immediate Release
Juliska Partners with Bridge Catalog Leading tabletop brand to join e-commerce platform to help U.S. retailer base
New York, NY- Juliska, a designer of premium tableware and home décor, has joined an online sales platform to help its authorized retailers increase their sales.
Beginning May 1st, 2018, the New York-based company will use Bridge, an e-commerce platform, to display more of its products via its retailers’ websites and gift registries.
Bigger retailers will continue to make more private-label brands. This helps them make more money on a sale—and ensure customers have to come to them vs amazon. Crate & Barrel is the king of this in home goods. Today, Target shares its new private-label clothing line Universal Thread.
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December 14, 2017
December 14, 2017
Begin your life together with our wide selection of home goods by creating a bridal registry. Click Here
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SOUTH, a premium home goods store in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, shared its table tents display. Looking good! The table tents are raising awareness and boosting registrants.
Michael Aram's products will be ready in Bridge by September 20th. Below please find our press release on this new Smart Brand partnership:
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For Immediate Release Michael Aram Partners with Bridge Catalog
Luxury giftware designer to join e-commerce platform to help U.S. retailer base
New York, NY- Michael Aram, a designer of premium tableware, lighting, and giftware, has joined a new sales platform to help authorized retailers increase their online sales.
Warren Shoulberg reminds us in this month's HFN that services are a nice add on to the retail store experience. Whether it's tech help, handyman help, or coffee & tea service, these amenities help differentiate a store from a cold website like Amazon.
If ur a home goods store, does ur store offer on-site engraving and monogramming? Does ur store offer custom printing or can it refer a supplier? Does ur store offer cooking classes?
Crate & Barrel has an online relationship with invitation ...
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April 3, 2016
April 3, 2016
Nice to see a home goods exec profiled in today's Times. Ms. Mattison shares some life experiences and hiring advice.
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Domain XCIV, a premium home goods store in Fort Worth, Texas, sent us this fan mail:
"Bridge has grown our registry/ online sales business in a number of ways. Foremost by giving shoppers the option of purchasing online and not having to physically come into the store. We have secured sales from folks that would never have known of the store but simply purchased for the convenience and because of the registry.
We also have had several sales because of the brands that we carry and have shipped ...
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February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
Serendip, an elegant home goods store in Norfolk, VA, placed a Bridge sign in its store window. Place your printed sign in your door or window and we'll send you a professional decal version of the sign. Please find the sign attached as a PDF.
A shoe store chain is closing stores not because it's going out of business, but rather to focus its money on its website, according to today's WSJ.
This reminds me of a conversation I had with a Mississippi retailer the other day. They're making lots of money off their Bridge. Sales are are up 50% online. But unlike the shoe store in the article, this home goods store has a problem: it isn't adjusting staffing to handle these growing online sales. For example, the current people that handle ...
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December 30, 2015
December 30, 2015
What does a running store have in common with a home goods boutique? Both are struggling to compete against vendors selling direct. Nike is increasingly hurting indy athletic shops by selling direct. In the home goods world, many brands are doing the same to their retailers.
When you read the article about Nike, many of these same quotes could come from players in our home goods industry:
We all owe Chuck Williams a thank you. He popularized cooking and home goods as we know it. Thank you Chuck for bringing Paris and the world into our homes.
If you're a retailer or sales rep, please forward this survey invitation to your home goods brands. You can help your brands learn more and sell more. And win $100.
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