Episode Details

As we reach the penultimate episode of Season 7, it's time to grade Steve on his annual predictions. In the second installment of a two-part episode, Michael takes out his virtual chalkboard to assess the final batch of Steve's prognostications, which include a year of trading down, a tale of two cities when it comes to retailer balance sheets, and a whole lot more. We also do a reality check on his long-shot guesses about Nike, Whole Foods, and a potential tie-up between JC Penney and Kohl's.

As usual we kick things with retail news, including a big week in macroeconomic news and a (mostly) surprisingly strong monthly retail sales report. Then we go deeper on a potential Macy's leveraged buy-out, as well as an updated view of the "halo effect" of brick-and-mortar stores from our friends at ICSC. We wrap with news of Temu's remarkable success and continued strength from Costco.

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Steve will be back on stage at Shoptalk in Las Vegas and we've got a special offer for our podcast listeners to save an additional 10% on registration. 

Retailer & Brands use Code: RBREMAR225 by going here.General Attendee: use code: GAREMAR360 here.

You can find the new ICSC "Halo Effect" study here.

Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.

About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in March 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..

Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You c