Focus on technology adoption to match the product journey to the customer journey. Adopting collaborative ecosystems enables the ability to penetrate different sales channels and accelerate revenue growth. It also optimizes fulfillment costs & service by re-imagining inventory distribution across multiple fulfillment nodes across enterprises. It drives down freight costs by leveraging a network of transportation providers, all connected through the network to Connect and communicate. Collaborate focused on change as the differentiator and disruptor.

Stay on your toes in retail's ever-changing landscape. Keep a close eye on social media trends and competitor moves. Act fast - test new ideas in small batches before going all-in. Listen to your frontline staff; they're your eyes and ears on the ground. Embrace tech that lets you adapt quickly, like flexible inventory systems. Build a diverse team that brings fresh perspectives. Most importantly, make your customers part of the journey. Ask for their input and involve them in product decisions. This approach not only keeps you agile but also builds a loyal community that'll stick with you through market ups and downs.

Omnichannel brands are the new norm post-covid. This is because customers expect to be able to purchase your product anywhere — online, in-store or some combo of the two. At the same time, it's important to diversify your sales channels because things do change rapidly...customer preferences, platform algorithms, the election, retailers shutting down (a la Foxtrot), etc. Keeping your eggs across baskets, being nimble, and data obsessed will keep your business strong in the face of a turbulent environment.

Leverage AI and data analytics to gain insights into customer behavior and market trends. Make data-driven decisions to optimize inventory, pricing, and promotions.

Ok, so I am biased on this question. I worked in retail for many years and I wish I'd had access to the tools available today. Imagine having access to consumer phone activity (location, browser search, purchase, email app use) to help produce content, manage staffing, over see competitor performance. Back then, I could only dream of knowing why my store was quiet, content that works hard at getting people in store, promotions that are resonating, bench-marking against competitors in real-time ect. That is all possible today. But strategic partners are crucial. They work hard so you don't have to! Start up's swallow the cost of expensive R&D and seek out the best technology developers to gain funding and expedite commercialisation.