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The Retail Revival: Reimagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism
Traditional retail is becoming increasingly volatile and challenged as a business model. Brick-and-mortar has shifted to online, while online is shifting into pop-up storefronts. Virtual stores in subway platforms and airports are offering new levels of convenience for harried commuters. High Street and Main Street are becoming the stuff of nostalgia. The Big Box is losing ground to new models that attract consumers through their most-trusted assistant--the smartphone. What's next? What's the future for you--a retailer--who is witnessing a tsunami of change and not knowing if this means grasping ahold of new opportunity or being swept away?
"The Retail Revival "answers these questions by looking into the not-so-distant retail past and by looking forward into a future that will continue to redefine retail and its enormous effect on society and our economies. Massive demographic and economic shifts, as well as historic levels of technological and media disruption, are turning this once predictable industry--where "average" was king--into a sea of turbulent change, leaving consumer behavior permanently altered. Doug Stephens, internationally renowned consumer futurist, examines the key seismic shifts in the market that have even companies like Walmart and Procter & Gamble scrambling to cope, and explores the current and future trends that will completely change the way we shop.
"The Retail Revival "provides no-nonsense clarity on the realities of a completely new retail marketplace-- realities that are driving many industry executives to despair. But the future need not be dark. Stephens offers hope and guidance for any businesses eager to capitalize on these historic shifts and thrive.
Entertaining and thought-provoking, "The Retail Revival "makes sense of a brave new era of consumer behavior in which everything we "thought "we knew about retail is being completely reimagined.
Praise for "The Retail Revival"
"It doesn't matter what type of retail you do--if you sell something, somewhere, you need to read Doug Stephens' "The Retail Revival." Packed with powerful insights on the changing retail environment and what good retailers should be thinking about now, "The Retail Revival "is easy to read, well-organized and provides essential food for thought."-- Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO, WestJet
"This book captures in sharp detail the deep and unprecedented changes driving new consumer behaviors and values. More importantly, it offers clear guidance to brands and retailers seeking to adapt and evolve to meet entirely new market imperatives for success."--John Gerzema, Author of "Spend Shift "and "The Athena Doctrine"
""The Retail Revival "is a critical read for all marketing professionals who are trying to figure out what's next in retail... Doug Stephens does a great job of explaining why retail has evolved the way it has, and the book serves as an important, trusted guide to where it's headed next. "--Joe Lampertius SVP, Shopper Marketing, Momentum Worldwide and Owner, La Spezia Flavor Market
"Doug Stephens has proven his right to the moniker 'Retail Prophet.' With careful analysis and ample examples, the author makes a compelling case for retailers to adapt, change and consequently revive their connection with consumers. Stephens presents actionable recommendations with optimism and enthusiasm--just the spoonful of sugar we need to face the necessary changes ahead."--Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., Consumer Psychologist; Professor, Golden Gate University; Co-Author, "Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail"
"Doug Stephens doesn't just tell you why retail is in the doldrums, he tells you why retail is a major signpost for the larger troubles of our culture and provides a compelling, inspiring vision for a future of retail--and business, and society."--Eric Garland, author of "Future Inc.: How Businesses Can Anticipate and Profit from What's Next"
"The Retail Revival "answers these questions by looking into the not-so-distant retail past and by looking forward into a future that will continue to redefine retail and its enormous effect on society and our economies. Massive demographic and economic shifts, as well as historic levels of technological and media disruption, are turning this once predictable industry--where "average" was king--into a sea of turbulent change, leaving consumer behavior permanently altered. Doug Stephens, internationally renowned consumer futurist, examines the key seismic shifts in the market that have even companies like Walmart and Procter & Gamble scrambling to cope, and explores the current and future trends that will completely change the way we shop.
"The Retail Revival "provides no-nonsense clarity on the realities of a completely new retail marketplace-- realities that are driving many industry executives to despair. But the future need not be dark. Stephens offers hope and guidance for any businesses eager to capitalize on these historic shifts and thrive.
Entertaining and thought-provoking, "The Retail Revival "makes sense of a brave new era of consumer behavior in which everything we "thought "we knew about retail is being completely reimagined.
Praise for "The Retail Revival"
"It doesn't matter what type of retail you do--if you sell something, somewhere, you need to read Doug Stephens' "The Retail Revival." Packed with powerful insights on the changing retail environment and what good retailers should be thinking about now, "The Retail Revival "is easy to read, well-organized and provides essential food for thought."-- Gregg Saretsky, President and CEO, WestJet
"This book captures in sharp detail the deep and unprecedented changes driving new consumer behaviors and values. More importantly, it offers clear guidance to brands and retailers seeking to adapt and evolve to meet entirely new market imperatives for success."--John Gerzema, Author of "Spend Shift "and "The Athena Doctrine"
""The Retail Revival "is a critical read for all marketing professionals who are trying to figure out what's next in retail... Doug Stephens does a great job of explaining why retail has evolved the way it has, and the book serves as an important, trusted guide to where it's headed next. "--Joe Lampertius SVP, Shopper Marketing, Momentum Worldwide and Owner, La Spezia Flavor Market
"Doug Stephens has proven his right to the moniker 'Retail Prophet.' With careful analysis and ample examples, the author makes a compelling case for retailers to adapt, change and consequently revive their connection with consumers. Stephens presents actionable recommendations with optimism and enthusiasm--just the spoonful of sugar we need to face the necessary changes ahead."--Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., Consumer Psychologist; Professor, Golden Gate University; Co-Author, "Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail"
"Doug Stephens doesn't just tell you why retail is in the doldrums, he tells you why retail is a major signpost for the larger troubles of our culture and provides a compelling, inspiring vision for a future of retail--and business, and society."--Eric Garland, author of "Future Inc.: How Businesses Can Anticipate and Profit from What's Next"
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
42 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 18, 2019
3,5 stars
This book was published 6 years ago. It seems like an eternity...and it is.
In normal situations - since this is a very specific book and I had already read the book the author had published more recently (Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World) - I would not read this book. I would probably think that the newest book would be enough to get the "feel" of the industry and understand which forces are disrupting it. However, I knew Doug Stephens writes clearly and gives good examples of his arguments, so I figured it would be a fun and enlightening read. I had nothing to lose.
It turns out that some of the things the author talks about in the book are still relevant to today's retail industry and some of the forces that are disrupting the industry are still at play now. Therefore I'm glad I read this book instead of passing it by as I originally was thinking of doing.
This book was published 6 years ago. It seems like an eternity...and it is.
In normal situations - since this is a very specific book and I had already read the book the author had published more recently (Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World) - I would not read this book. I would probably think that the newest book would be enough to get the "feel" of the industry and understand which forces are disrupting it. However, I knew Doug Stephens writes clearly and gives good examples of his arguments, so I figured it would be a fun and enlightening read. I had nothing to lose.
It turns out that some of the things the author talks about in the book are still relevant to today's retail industry and some of the forces that are disrupting the industry are still at play now. Therefore I'm glad I read this book instead of passing it by as I originally was thinking of doing.
October 9, 2022
To read such a book focused on the retail and merchandising industry almost a decade after it was written, this book was surprisingly still quite relevant. Especially as a pre pandemic book. The examples were interesting and relatable but I didn't agree with some of the full conclusions on the demographic views. I would suggest this book still to those in the industry as the author's focus on the target market, understanding the customers needs, and the merchandising wants is a learning experience within itself.
August 30, 2020
Interesting read. Tells you where you need to go and strive towards but not how you can get there.
February 22, 2014
This book serves as an awesome primer for those who are new to the game on either sides; Marketing and/or Retail. It covered the history of many of the powers at play from a macro perspective, albeit US-centric. Then moves on to the traditional marketeer line of thinking to the new way of thinking; from the era of retail store, multi/omni channel to the age of context ('owning moments and surfaces' as the book calls it).
July 16, 2015
Thought provoking and inspiring
Several years after the book was written the future is unfolding as predicted. But it's only the beginning of a titanic shift in the way businesses and consumers interact. I'd call this a must read for fans of Tipping Point, Blue Ocean Strategy and similar seminal business books written in an accessible style. I love the kindle edition links to videos and online resources.
Several years after the book was written the future is unfolding as predicted. But it's only the beginning of a titanic shift in the way businesses and consumers interact. I'd call this a must read for fans of Tipping Point, Blue Ocean Strategy and similar seminal business books written in an accessible style. I love the kindle edition links to videos and online resources.
June 12, 2013
Great book, really vivid picture of how and why retail is what it is today, and scenes from a future imagined by one of the best in the business. Well Done.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews