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

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

The Big Picture The latest government data tells a cautiously optimistic story. Third-quarter GDP came in at a strong 4.3%, well above expectations. Consumer spending was a major driver. Holiday

A major shift is happening in how people shop online. Consumers are increasingly turning to ChatGPT as a shopping assistant by asking for recommendations, comparing products, and even completing purchases

The Big Picture With the government shutdown finally behind us, economists are sorting through the fog of delayed data and the picture is mixed. Unemployment ticked up from 4.3% to

Independent retailers have always thrived on individuality, whether it is a finely tuned edit, personal service, and local connection that big chains can’t match. But as competition grows and margins

The Big Picture The market rallied last week on weaker-than-expected inflation figures and hopes that the Fed will cut interest rates even further. But, in the wider market consumers hit

Last month we talked about the challenge our retailers will face next spring when the price of many luxury goods will increase by 10% to 30%. Higher costs mean not

The Big Picture The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point last week in an effort to inject energy into the housing market and the broader economy. The

For many apparel retailers, sales numbers are only half the story. The other half is the cost of returns. While returns are part of doing business in fashion, especially with