Retail Insights

Read and share our blog on all things retail, by our retail experts. 

Marie Merien Marie Merien

Cash Flow Rescue: How to Make Sure You’re Really Making Money in Retail

Too often, retail success is measured by the wrong number : profit on paper. But when it comes to staying in business and growing long-term, cash flow is king.

Inventory represents 50% or more of your cash investment—making it the one major expense you can fully control. Find out how you can turn cash strain into cash confidence from our latest webinar with retail experts.

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Marc Weiss, Co-founder of Management One Marc Weiss, Co-founder of Management One

The Stories We Tell Ourselves: How Fear Shapes Retail Decisions

How many of our business decisions are dictated by the stories we tell ourselves?

When I listen to retailers share their fears, concerns, and challenges, it becomes clear that their decisions are often based on internal narratives rather than hard data. These stories, while understandable, can lead to choices that undermine the very advantages that make smaller retailers competitive.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Why Cash Flow Issues Aren’t Just About Overbuying (And How to Fix Them)

Cash flow is the lifeblood of every retail business—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood challenges. When money runs tight, overbuying is often blamed, but it’s rarely the full story !

Find out the hidden causes of cash flow pressure and the actionable strategies that have helped retailers turn their inventory into a true profit engine.

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Guest User Guest User

June 2025 M1 Client Performance Overview

Over the last quarter, most verticals finished flat to slightly up—a reminder that every shopper counts. Despite perceived headwinds in the economy and consumer sentiment, stores that maintained focus on execution and customer engagement continued to perform. This spotlights the importance of setting daily sales goals and sharpening conversion rates. Strong execution of fundamentals can still drive growth even if foot traffic is leveling or slowing.

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Ashley Binford Ashley Binford

What Is Inventory Planning? A Retail Expert Breaks Down What Every Independent Store Owner Needs to Know

Inventory planning isn't just about reordering what's selling—it’s about strategically deciding how much to buy, when to buy it, and how long it should stay on the floor. In this deep-dive conversation with Paul Erickson, Executive Director at Management One, we explore what inventory planning actually is. From defining open-to-buy budgets to the psychology of customer engagement, Paul shares his insights from 40+ years as a retail educator along with real-world examples that show how inventory planning can turn struggling stores into growth engines.

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Ashley Binford Ashley Binford

March and April 2025 M1 Client Performance Overview

As usual, performance varied meaningfully by retail vertical and by class of merchandise.  See below for results by vertical for our key groups, with sales growth led by the toy and hobby category.  One callout is that luxury fashion markdowns grew meaningfully, suggesting they were needed to support continued sales growth.  Is the luxury consumer feeling pinched after a long stretch of strong spending?

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Retailers Respond: How Independent Stores Are Navigating Tariffs in 2025

Following our recent webinar "Tariffs Are Here – Now What?", we asked participants how tariffs are impacting their business — and what strategies they are putting in place to protect their margins. Discover what retailers shared, the top strategies they're prioritizing, and key insights from our speakers Marc Weiss and Dane Cohen.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Maximizing Denim Profitability – Replenishment and Merchandising Strategies for Retailers

Denim isn’t just another product—it’s the heart and soul of many retailers’ businesses. But let’s be real, managing inventory and maintaining profitability remains a challenge.

Fiona Horgan, experienced Retail Business Strategist, shares how retailers can overcome these challenges by focusing on strategic replenishment and effective merchandising. 

Find out her top 3 strategies to keep your denim business profitable and consistent year-round.

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Marc Weiss, Co-founder of Management One Marc Weiss, Co-founder of Management One

The Indie Retailer's Response to Tariffs by Creating a Service Business

Retailers should consider diversifying their offerings beyond buying and selling products. Providing services or renting out space during off-hours can generate additional income and increase foot traffic, leading to increased product sales.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Tariffs & Retail : Strategies to Protect Your Margins

In a recent webinar, retail strategist Dane Cohen and retail industry expert and Management One co-founder Marc Weiss, discuss real-world tactics for navigating tariff-driven cost increases.

Find out three strategies for independent retailers to turn economic pressure into opportunity — using data, focus, and adaptability.

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