Retail Insights

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

Ashley Binford Ashley Binford

March 2025 M1 Client Performance Overview

Generally, March year-over-year sales growth among M1 clients showed improvement compared to February.  March results were made more encouraging by the fact that while Easter fell in March in 2024, it moved to April in 2025.  Thus, the overall flat sales performance in March is cause for optimism.  If we look at April progress so far, our clients’ sales are +4% compared to April 2024.  In March, inventories were up 3% and inflows up 1% compared to the prior year.

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

The Indie Retailer’s Response to Tariffs

Based on what we know today, the first step is mobilization and preparation. This allows you to take action now to prepare for future uncertainty. Creating a contingency plan with trigger points for execution is one way to approach this concept. The benefit of preparation is that, as events unfold, you are freed to respond thoughtfully rather than react to them.

Here are my recommendations on important actions to take as part of an effective response.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Mastering the Denim Market – Sizing, Fit, and Strategic Buying

With the denim market set to grow at 5.8% annually through 2030, denim isn’t just a staple—it’s a cornerstone of American fashion and a strong sales opportunity for retailers.

But denim can be challenging to stock for. So how do you turn denim from a headache into a high-margin, high-turn powerhouse?

Fiona Horgan, experienced Retail Business Strategist, shares insights on how to navigate the challenges of denim buying to build a more profitable and predictable retail business.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Consumer Reactions – Are Higher Prices Driving Customers Away?

Rising inflation and tariffs are driving up retail prices, forcing consumers to make tough choices. According to the NRF, American consumers’ spending power will be reduced by $46 to $78 billion every year the tariffs are in place. The big question is : are consumers still buying, or are they pushing back? Find out how consumers are responding to price increases and three strategies to retain them.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

The Hidden Costs of Tariffs – How Retailers Are Absorbing the Shock

Tariffs on imported goods are hitting American retailers hard, driving up costs and squeezing already thin margins. Retailers now face a tough balancing act—absorbing increased costs or raising prices and risking customer loyalty. 
But can your customers absorb another price increase? Find out the direct and indirect costs of tariffs and five strategies retailers are using to absorb the shock in 2025.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

ICBA 2025 Recap: Key Takeaways for Campus Retailers

At the ICBA Conference 2025 in Chicago, the focus was to give a fresh perspective on how campus stores can drive profitability by adopting strategies from independent retail.

Find out the best tips industry experts revealed at ICBA to maximise merchandise profitability in 2025.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Top 5 Rules for Generating Cash in Retail

As part of the 2025 MAGIC Conference in Las Vegas, Dane Cohen, Director of Retail Strategy at Management One, discussed major trends impacting retailers in 2025.

Find out about the five fundamental strategies to drive revenue and maintain a healthy inventory flow according to retail experts.

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

Tariffize – Adapting Your Business to a Policy of Tariffs

Retailers crave certainty, but the best you can get is probability. And right now, the probability of tariffs affecting your business is no longer theoretical—it’s reality. How do you manage a business in a world of policy-driven price shifts? Fortunately, it’s not just guesswork, it’s about adapting strategically.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Maximixing Profits in January with Smarter Inventory Forecasting

Retailers who started using Management One’s inventory planning and forecasting tools on average saw a 20% sales increase in the 12 months following adoption compared to the previous 12 months. Here are 3 ways retailers can maximize profits in January by doing the same.

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