The Big Picture The latest economic headlines paint a mixed picture. The job market appears to be tightening, GDP growth is cooling, and inflation continues to inch upward. And yet…
Changing Tariffs, War & More – Here’s How To Plan for Uncertainty
Headlines change, tariff percentages change, and political winds change, but your planning discipline shouldn’t. Retailers get into trouble when they try to predict what will happen instead of preparing for
Feb. ’26 Retail Report: Higher-Ticket Apparel Fuels 3% January Growth
The Big Picture Inflation cooled last month, and the job market picked up steam. But there’s a catch: 2025 job growth was revised sharply downward — from 584,000 new jobs
Why Retailers Should Build Customer Profiles
Inventory planning breaks down when retailers plan for products instead of planning for people. Customer profiles can help fix that. When retailers understand who buys from them, how those customers
Jan. ’26 Retail Report: What December Taught Us About Planning This Year
The Big Picture Retail closed out the holiday season on a strong note. Overall sales jumped 1.2% month-over-month and finished 3.5% higher than last year. According to the National Retail
Aligning Events and Inventory: A 2026 Calendar for Stronger Sell-Through
For independent apparel retailers, the difference between a strong year and a stressful one often comes down to planning. Too many promotions are created at the last minute, driven by
