Year: 2026

August Sales: Seasonal Upswing The change of season is doing exactly what we hoped it would: giving customers a reason to refresh their wardrobes. Our client stores posted another strong

We know that retailers spend a lot of time watching sales because we see it every day in our client meetings.  But sales are only part of the story. The

July Sales Our client stores were up 6% overall in July. That’s a number worth paying attention to, especially because we were up against some tough comparisons. Last July, early

Most of the apparel retailers we know got into the business because they love fashion. They enjoy going to market, finding new brands, putting outfits together, and helping customers look

 AI is everywhere in retail conversations, but not every promise matches reality. Where can AI truly make a difference? Mike McSheffrey and Matt Pruitt share their perspective on how

The Big Picture Retail sales continued to edge higher in June, although the pace slowed a bit. Total U.S. retail sales rose 0.2%, following a revised 1.0% increase in May.

Retailers are often focused on one number: sales. Sales are important, but they don’t tell the whole story. Talking to our client stores over the years we’ve seen that a

The Big Picture Inflation remains a concern, with annual inflation reaching 4.2% last month, the highest level in three years. But there are some encouraging signs: gas prices are beginning

Many retailers spend countless hours analyzing sales, margins, and inventory levels, yet one of the most valuable tools for improving profitability often goes underutilized: vendor reporting. Most stores evaluate inventory

The Big Picture The retail environment continues to show resilience despite a mixed economic backdrop. U.S. GDP grew at a 2.0% annualized rate, while inflation climbed to 3.8%, driven largely