David Bassuk
Partner & Managing Director, New York
RETAIL
The forces of change pummeling retail have never been stronger. Rapidly shifting consumer behavior is accelerating trends that had been gradually underway over the last few years. Online sales have experienced growth that usually takes four or five years in just a few months. And retailers are having to pay much more attention to how, and how quickly, product gets into the hands of consumers. The entire ecosystem has been impacted -- from manufacturers to retailers to landlords, luxury to mass, and every touchpoint in between.
While retail has learned to live with disruptions over the last few years, the next step is to start anticipating them and preparing accordingly. Retailers need to embrace agility across their entire organization to better sense and respond to changing consumer priorities and industry trends. This will mean fixing operational issues that have marred performance and profitability for years. Our deeply experienced and hands-on retail team will work alongside you to guide and support your transformation as you reinvent the very meaning of the word retail.
Net Zero: Syncing ambition with outcomes across the CPG value chain
ESG continues to be a complicated topic for many organizations, particularly in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. In order to meet Paris Agreement goals, the industry overall needs to reduce carbon by 37.6%. However, our research finds that even with all the commendable commitments already made by companies, the industry is still behind on making that goal a reality. Missing these targets comes with financial consequences, including higher cost of debt and capital and lower total shareholder return and EBITDA growth. So, what can companies do to make real change and get closer to reducing their carbon outputs? Continue reading to learn more from our latest research presented at the 2022 Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit.
READ MOREESG continues to be a complicated topic for many organizations, particularly in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. In order to meet Paris Agreement goals, the industry overall needs to reduce carbon by 37.6%. However, our research finds that even with all the commendable commitments already made by companies, the industry is still behind on making that goal a reality. Missing these targets comes with financial consequences, including higher cost of debt and capital and lower total shareholder return and EBITDA growth. So, what can companies do to make real change and get closer to reducing their carbon outputs? Continue reading to learn more from our latest research presented at the 2022 Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit.
READ MORE
DIGITAL-FIRST RETAIL
Retailers continue to invest a lot to keep up with the omnichannel customer. But, for most, increased digital penetration is leading to shrinking profits—so their bottom lines stay right there, at the bottom. Until now.
“Digital-First Retail” isn’t about “brick-and-mortar” vs. “e-commerce.” It’s not about sales or marketing channels. It’s about having the right operating models, metrics and processes in place to connect with the consumer across all touchpoints — while also minimizing massive increases in customer acquisition and fulfillment costs.
Retailers continue to invest a lot to keep up with the omnichannel customer. But, for most, increased digital penetration is leading to shrinking profits—so their bottom lines stay right there, at the bottom. Until now.
“Digital-First Retail” isn’t about “brick-and-mortar” vs. “e-commerce.” It’s not about sales or marketing channels. It’s about having the right operating models, metrics and processes in place to connect with the consumer across all touchpoints — while also minimizing massive increases in customer acquisition and fulfillment costs.
THE POWER INVERSION THAT RETAIL CAN’T IGNORE
Power has permanently and forcefully moved away from company to consumer – but many retailers have not fully realized the extent of this change. Welcome to the Metail economy where it’s up to every retailer to meet Me-centric consumers where they are. Those that do not refocus to maximize their customer relationships will struggle in today’s disrupted world. Continue reading to learn about how the Metail economy impacts your business
LEARN MOREPower has permanently and forcefully moved away from company to consumer – but many retailers have not fully realized the extent of this change. Welcome to the Metail economy where it’s up to every retailer to meet Me-centric consumers where they are. Those that do not refocus to maximize their customer relationships will struggle in today’s disrupted world. Continue reading to learn about how the Metail economy impacts your business
LEARN MORE
Insights on global supply chain disruption
After nearly three decades of expansion, the forces of globalization—which have helped fuel economic growth through greater trade, exchange, and openness—are in retreat. Barriers are going up, and global trade declining. Protectionism is on the rise. And while it is too soon to quantify the extent and duration of the disruption resulting from the crisis in Ukraine, it is already clear that the ripple effects will be immense and long-lasting.
Ongoing supply chain challenges spell the growing need for resiliency and sustainability. Read insights on how business leaders are reinventing their organizations amidst ongoing disruption.
LEARN MOREAfter nearly three decades of expansion, the forces of globalization—which have helped fuel economic growth through greater trade, exchange, and openness—are in retreat. Barriers are going up, and global trade declining. Protectionism is on the rise. And while it is too soon to quantify the extent and duration of the disruption resulting from the crisis in Ukraine, it is already clear that the ripple effects will be immense and long-lasting.
Ongoing supply chain challenges spell the growing need for resiliency and sustainability. Read insights on how business leaders are reinventing their organizations amidst ongoing disruption.
LEARN MORE
ARE YOU READY FOR THE RETAIL ROLLERCOASTER?
Disruption in retail is not new. However, the frequency and intensity of changes impacting the industry are challenging retailers like never before. AlixPartners has developed a quantifiable and actionable methodology that allows retailers to measure their ability to understand their consumer’s evolving needs and respond to disruption with agility. This framework, called AgilityEQ, ascertains a retailer’s capacity to breakdown silos of inflexibility, embrace speed in processes and decision-making, and use data to draw actionable insights. Continue reading to learn more about AgilityEQ and its conception at the 2021 WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit.
READ MOREDisruption in retail is not new. However, the frequency and intensity of changes impacting the industry are challenging retailers like never before. AlixPartners has developed a quantifiable and actionable methodology that allows retailers to measure their ability to understand their consumer’s evolving needs and respond to disruption with agility. This framework, called AgilityEQ, ascertains a retailer’s capacity to breakdown silos of inflexibility, embrace speed in processes and decision-making, and use data to draw actionable insights. Continue reading to learn more about AgilityEQ and its conception at the 2021 WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit.
READ MORE
Fashion in Focus: Investing in a Future Forged by Adversity
2021 AlixPartners + Sourcing Journal Survey Report
The pandemic has fundamentally changed retail – maybe forever. Suddenly, as consumer spending plummeted amid store closures, inventories had to be meticulously planned to save costs and avoid pileups of unwanted clothes and fabrics. Add logistical and other supply-side challenges to fluctuating consumer demand; and delivering the right product to the right place at the right time became almost impossible. In partnership with Sourcing Journal, this inaugural survey report will help the industry better understand itself and combine forces toward a more efficient future.
READ MORE2021 AlixPartners + Sourcing Journal Survey Report
The pandemic has fundamentally changed retail – maybe forever. Suddenly, as consumer spending plummeted amid store closures, inventories had to be meticulously planned to save costs and avoid pileups of unwanted clothes and fabrics. Add logistical and other supply-side challenges to fluctuating consumer demand; and delivering the right product to the right place at the right time became almost impossible. In partnership with Sourcing Journal, this inaugural survey report will help the industry better understand itself and combine forces toward a more efficient future.
READ MORE
ALIXPARTNERS CHANGING CONSUMER PRIORITIES STUDY
As the world prepares to emerge from the pandemic’s profound disruption to normal life, our collective experience over the past year has imprinted on how we will behave going forward. Consumers across the board have had to learn new behaviors and adopt new habits in their everyday lives. Mapped by the two main vulnerabilities—health (this includes mental and physical) and finances—consumer behaviors have taken on four distinct dimensions that companies must consider going forward in addition to traditional demographics.
READ MOREAs the world prepares to emerge from the pandemic’s profound disruption to normal life, our collective experience over the past year has imprinted on how we will behave going forward. Consumers across the board have had to learn new behaviors and adopt new habits in their everyday lives. Mapped by the two main vulnerabilities—health (this includes mental and physical) and finances—consumer behaviors have taken on four distinct dimensions that companies must consider going forward in addition to traditional demographics.
READ MORERetail Viewpoint: Actionable Insights Every Month
Sign up for our Retail Viewpoint email newsletter where each month we take a deep dive into the disruptive forces shaping retail business opportunity around the world.
In The News
A new AlixPartners survey found most consumers are buying shoes in department stores. “People want to be in store because they want to try on shoes before buying, and that’s even more heightened for kids,” said Raj Konanahalli, a managing director. “So, this notion that the shift to online is permanent and the store is dead ... is really not true”
See more: on cnbc
"A lot of [home improvement] businesses saw sales go through the roof during this pandemic. But now, discretionary income is going to go towards travel and leisure,” said Managing Director Randy Burt.
See more: listen on marketplace
Regarding new trends in retail returns, Managing Director Joel Rampoldt said, "So, consumers have environmental concerns... but, they don't yet understand the linkage."
See more: on retail dive
Stores will need to offer additional services to stay open, retail analyst says
See more: cnbc.com
We’re beginning to dress like we have somewhere to go
See more: marketplace.org
Retail Focus Podcast: The pandemic's impact on apparel and retail
See more: retail focus podcast
Global Team
The forces of change pummeling retail have never been stronger. Rapidly shifting consumer behavior is accelerating trends that had been gradually underway over the last few years. Online sales have experienced growth that usually takes four or five years in just a few months. And retailers are having to pay much more attention to how, and how quickly, product gets into the hands of consumers. The entire ecosystem has been impacted -- from manufacturers to retailers to landlords, luxury to mass, and every touchpoint in between.
While retail has learned to live with disruptions over the last few years, the next step is to start anticipating them and preparing accordingly. Retailers need to embrace agility across their entire organization to better sense and respond to changing consumer priorities and industry trends. This will mean fixing operational issues that have marred performance and profitability for years. Our deeply experienced and hands-on retail team will work alongside you to guide and support your transformation as you reinvent the very meaning of the word retail.
Net Zero: Syncing ambition with outcomes across the CPG value chain
ESG continues to be a complicated topic for many organizations, particularly in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. In order to meet Paris Agreement goals, the industry overall needs to reduce carbon by 37.6%. However, our research finds that even with all the commendable commitments already made by companies, the industry is still behind on making that goal a reality. Missing these targets comes with financial consequences, including higher cost of debt and capital and lower total shareholder return and EBITDA growth. So, what can companies do to make real change and get closer to reducing their carbon outputs? Continue reading to learn more from our latest research presented at the 2022 Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit.
READ MOREESG continues to be a complicated topic for many organizations, particularly in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. In order to meet Paris Agreement goals, the industry overall needs to reduce carbon by 37.6%. However, our research finds that even with all the commendable commitments already made by companies, the industry is still behind on making that goal a reality. Missing these targets comes with financial consequences, including higher cost of debt and capital and lower total shareholder return and EBITDA growth. So, what can companies do to make real change and get closer to reducing their carbon outputs? Continue reading to learn more from our latest research presented at the 2022 Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit.
READ MORE
DIGITAL-FIRST RETAIL
Retailers continue to invest a lot to keep up with the omnichannel customer. But, for most, increased digital penetration is leading to shrinking profits—so their bottom lines stay right there, at the bottom. Until now.
“Digital-First Retail” isn’t about “brick-and-mortar” vs. “e-commerce.” It’s not about sales or marketing channels. It’s about having the right operating models, metrics and processes in place to connect with the consumer across all touchpoints — while also minimizing massive increases in customer acquisition and fulfillment costs.
Retailers continue to invest a lot to keep up with the omnichannel customer. But, for most, increased digital penetration is leading to shrinking profits—so their bottom lines stay right there, at the bottom. Until now.
“Digital-First Retail” isn’t about “brick-and-mortar” vs. “e-commerce.” It’s not about sales or marketing channels. It’s about having the right operating models, metrics and processes in place to connect with the consumer across all touchpoints — while also minimizing massive increases in customer acquisition and fulfillment costs.
THE POWER INVERSION THAT RETAIL CAN’T IGNORE
Power has permanently and forcefully moved away from company to consumer – but many retailers have not fully realized the extent of this change. Welcome to the Metail economy where it’s up to every retailer to meet Me-centric consumers where they are. Those that do not refocus to maximize their customer relationships will struggle in today’s disrupted world. Continue reading to learn about how the Metail economy impacts your business
LEARN MOREPower has permanently and forcefully moved away from company to consumer – but many retailers have not fully realized the extent of this change. Welcome to the Metail economy where it’s up to every retailer to meet Me-centric consumers where they are. Those that do not refocus to maximize their customer relationships will struggle in today’s disrupted world. Continue reading to learn about how the Metail economy impacts your business
LEARN MORE
Insights on global supply chain disruption
After nearly three decades of expansion, the forces of globalization—which have helped fuel economic growth through greater trade, exchange, and openness—are in retreat. Barriers are going up, and global trade declining. Protectionism is on the rise. And while it is too soon to quantify the extent and duration of the disruption resulting from the crisis in Ukraine, it is already clear that the ripple effects will be immense and long-lasting.
Ongoing supply chain challenges spell the growing need for resiliency and sustainability. Read insights on how business leaders are reinventing their organizations amidst ongoing disruption.
LEARN MOREAfter nearly three decades of expansion, the forces of globalization—which have helped fuel economic growth through greater trade, exchange, and openness—are in retreat. Barriers are going up, and global trade declining. Protectionism is on the rise. And while it is too soon to quantify the extent and duration of the disruption resulting from the crisis in Ukraine, it is already clear that the ripple effects will be immense and long-lasting.
Ongoing supply chain challenges spell the growing need for resiliency and sustainability. Read insights on how business leaders are reinventing their organizations amidst ongoing disruption.
LEARN MORE
ARE YOU READY FOR THE RETAIL ROLLERCOASTER?
Disruption in retail is not new. However, the frequency and intensity of changes impacting the industry are challenging retailers like never before. AlixPartners has developed a quantifiable and actionable methodology that allows retailers to measure their ability to understand their consumer’s evolving needs and respond to disruption with agility. This framework, called AgilityEQ, ascertains a retailer’s capacity to breakdown silos of inflexibility, embrace speed in processes and decision-making, and use data to draw actionable insights. Continue reading to learn more about AgilityEQ and its conception at the 2021 WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit.
READ MOREDisruption in retail is not new. However, the frequency and intensity of changes impacting the industry are challenging retailers like never before. AlixPartners has developed a quantifiable and actionable methodology that allows retailers to measure their ability to understand their consumer’s evolving needs and respond to disruption with agility. This framework, called AgilityEQ, ascertains a retailer’s capacity to breakdown silos of inflexibility, embrace speed in processes and decision-making, and use data to draw actionable insights. Continue reading to learn more about AgilityEQ and its conception at the 2021 WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit.
READ MORE
Fashion in Focus: Investing in a Future Forged by Adversity
2021 AlixPartners + Sourcing Journal Survey Report
The pandemic has fundamentally changed retail – maybe forever. Suddenly, as consumer spending plummeted amid store closures, inventories had to be meticulously planned to save costs and avoid pileups of unwanted clothes and fabrics. Add logistical and other supply-side challenges to fluctuating consumer demand; and delivering the right product to the right place at the right time became almost impossible. In partnership with Sourcing Journal, this inaugural survey report will help the industry better understand itself and combine forces toward a more efficient future.
READ MORE2021 AlixPartners + Sourcing Journal Survey Report
The pandemic has fundamentally changed retail – maybe forever. Suddenly, as consumer spending plummeted amid store closures, inventories had to be meticulously planned to save costs and avoid pileups of unwanted clothes and fabrics. Add logistical and other supply-side challenges to fluctuating consumer demand; and delivering the right product to the right place at the right time became almost impossible. In partnership with Sourcing Journal, this inaugural survey report will help the industry better understand itself and combine forces toward a more efficient future.
READ MORE
ALIXPARTNERS CHANGING CONSUMER PRIORITIES STUDY
As the world prepares to emerge from the pandemic’s profound disruption to normal life, our collective experience over the past year has imprinted on how we will behave going forward. Consumers across the board have had to learn new behaviors and adopt new habits in their everyday lives. Mapped by the two main vulnerabilities—health (this includes mental and physical) and finances—consumer behaviors have taken on four distinct dimensions that companies must consider going forward in addition to traditional demographics.
READ MOREAs the world prepares to emerge from the pandemic’s profound disruption to normal life, our collective experience over the past year has imprinted on how we will behave going forward. Consumers across the board have had to learn new behaviors and adopt new habits in their everyday lives. Mapped by the two main vulnerabilities—health (this includes mental and physical) and finances—consumer behaviors have taken on four distinct dimensions that companies must consider going forward in addition to traditional demographics.
READ MORERetail Viewpoint: Actionable Insights Every Month
Sign up for our Retail Viewpoint email newsletter where each month we take a deep dive into the disruptive forces shaping retail business opportunity around the world.
In The News
A new AlixPartners survey found most consumers are buying shoes in department stores. “People want to be in store because they want to try on shoes before buying, and that’s even more heightened for kids,” said Raj Konanahalli, a managing director. “So, this notion that the shift to online is permanent and the store is dead ... is really not true”
See more: on cnbc
"A lot of [home improvement] businesses saw sales go through the roof during this pandemic. But now, discretionary income is going to go towards travel and leisure,” said Managing Director Randy Burt.
See more: listen on marketplace
Regarding new trends in retail returns, Managing Director Joel Rampoldt said, "So, consumers have environmental concerns... but, they don't yet understand the linkage."
See more: on retail dive
Stores will need to offer additional services to stay open, retail analyst says
See more: cnbc.com
We’re beginning to dress like we have somewhere to go
See more: marketplace.org
Retail Focus Podcast: The pandemic's impact on apparel and retail
See more: retail focus podcast
Global Team