Marshall Cohen Retailers Quotations

What happened was the retailers got so infatuated with the young consumer, they ignored their core customer, who is the 35-plus customer.

The 80s is about color, color, color. When business gets tough, retailers use color to entice the customer because that's the first thing that attracts the buyer.

Are the midnight openings much earlier than usual for Black Friday? Yes, they are. Does this show that retailers are more nervous this year? Absolutely.

I've seen denim that doesn't get wet, clothes that change color based on exposure to sunlight, even clothes with sun protection built into it. These new-age type products are generally more expensive. The challenge for retailers also will be to get consumers to believe that they work.

Holiday 2005 will be remembered as the year of giving to those in need. Retailers want consumers to feel good about buying and helping others.

The typical 5 a.m. openings aren't good enough because every retailer does that on Black Friday. This has become a game of who can top this. Everyone wants to start first. It's very clear that the early bird catches the worm for consumers. So retailers are trying to catch the early consumer.

Retailers need to identify a proprietary winning formula based upon their unique customer base. Ultimately, brands and retailers that grow together are compelling partnerships that produce the most profitable incomes.

Retailers have recognized that December has 31 days.

Retailers have been looking for growth for the past several years, but frankly, they've been looking in all the wrong places. Department stores had given up on this customer to chase after the youth market, and while 40 may be the new 20, these women want to dress differently.

Retailers aren't very nervous just yet. Obviously companies want to protect their profit margins and won't discount heavily if they don't absolutely have to.