Retail Store Expansion Strategy

Packaging architecture: ScaleUp’s challenge. One of your top priorities when scaling rapidly should be establishing a unified, coherent packaging program. Whether expanding into D2C channel or retail and distribution, your packaging and branding must adapt seamlessly to support growth and maintain consistency. >>Why IT MATTERS<< → Brand consistency, cohesive packaging design reinforces brand identity, trust, and loyalty across all channels through consistent colors, typography, and visuals. → Operational efficiency, standardized packaging reduces costs, streamlines supply chains, and enhances scalability without compromising quality. → Customer experience, engaging, user-friendly packaging boosts brand perception and satisfaction with easy-to-open designs, protective materials, and interactive elements. → Regulatory compliance, adapting packaging to diverse regulations ensures legal compliance, preventing costly issues as you expand into new markets. >>Basic STEPS<< 1-OBJECTIVES. Before structuring a packaging system, businesses must align goals with their overall brand and expansion strategy. +Target markets and customer segments +Sales channels (D2C, retail, e-commerce, wholesale) +Sustainability and compliance needs 2-AUDIT. Evaluate competitors against your packaging portfolio to identify inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and gaps. Assess materials, formats, design consistency, and supply chain effectiveness to ensure durability, cost-effectiveness, and strong branding. +Competitors +Materials and formats +Design consistency across products +Supply chain and logistics effectiveness 3-FRAMEWORK. You should structure a scalable system that preserves brand identity. Consistent colors, typography, and imagery enhance recognition, while guidelines ensure uniform materials and dimensions. Integrate sustainability for long-term impact. +Core Design: Consistent colors, typography, and imagery. +Structural Guidelines: Standardized dimensions and materials. +Sustainability: Eco-friendly practices for compliance and appeal. 4-Flexible & STANDART. Build an architecture that balances uniformity and adaptability with modular designs. Category-specific tweaks maintain brand consistency, while tailored retail and D2C approaches optimize shelf presence and delivery. +Modular Designs: Customizable core packaging elements. +Category Adaptations: Variations within a unified brand look. +Retail vs. D2C: Optimized for shelf presence and delivery. Final Thoughts. As you see, a well-executed packaging architecture helps scale-ups grow while maintaining brand identity. A strategic, standardized, yet flexible system streamlines operations, enhances customer experience, and supports market expansion. Explore my curated search of examples and get inspired for success. Featured brands: Curl Current State Dazzly Dr.Jart+ Drunk Elephant Glowie Happily Unmaried Jarskin Lululum Shiseido #beautybusiness #beautypackaging #beautyprofessionals #beautydesig

Want to know what a ‘work in progress’ drawing of a relatively large scheme of apartments looks like ? Like this.   Early testing of a scheme’s viability.   About a year ago we were approached by an organisation tasked with selling an old vacant church and their associated plots of land. Somewhere in Yorkshire. Quite a complicated land sale, it involves: -          Old church buildings. -          Ministers house. -          Separate garden space. -          Separate large undeveloped plot of land nearby. -          Graveyard.   We agreed that rather than selling on as it is, we should conduct some loose feasibility studies to find out what could be done with the land to increase its value, ready for a quick exit, without paying out for the full development costs and associated risks.   All plots of land are in a conservation area and some are in the green belt. The old church is a gorgeous Victorian stone building, it oozes character, is totally unique and is built to last. So, several challenges there straight away to overcome.   We agreed to phase the project into separate ‘bite size chunks’ to make the land sale easier to manage. Phase 1 = old church buildings and ministers house. Phase 2 = other parcels of land.   We then worked out the old church buildings could be converted and retrofitted and would probably generate about 16 apartments over three floors and the separate plot of land could generate 2 x new build apartments blocks of 9 units each, 18 total units. Overall total units = 34 apartments. All based on exceeding the Nationally Described Space Standards for dwelling sizes.   To test the viability of this we submitted a Pre-application Planning Enquiry to the Local Planning Authority. About 6 months later we received a 20 page pre-app report. Yep, you read that right, about 6 months later! This informed us the church building conversion was viable and probably a go-er, subject to some highways and landscaping issues that needed to be overcome. We also received some useful feedback about the Phase 2 developments too.   This wasn’t necessarily an exercise in establishing a final agreed scheme, but rather just testing early viability of the schemes to see what was possible and acceptable in principle. This has now enabled the Client to make firm decisions about what to do next and when.   If there any developers who are interesting in finding out more about these sites, please send me a message! Andrew Wootton-Jones MRICS Helen Williams Ryan Malee 🏗️ Property Developer Heather Smail + anyone else..?   #Property #Strategy #Collaboration

As Walmart reports its fourth quarter numbers next week, it’s not surprising there are a flurry of articles about it.   Two caught my eye. One in the Financial Times, which declares that a resurgent Walmart has seen off the Amazon threat. The other in The Wall Street Journal, which crowns Walmart the King of Retail.   The accolades are well deserved. Over the past five years, Walmart has been an extremely dependable performer.    If Walmart hits its numbers this quarter, it will have grown total annual sales by $156 billion since 2019. Just think about that figure: Walmart’s *growth* over a relatively short period of time is higher than the annual revenue of Target.   Yes, some of this is thanks to inflation in food, but Walmart has also grown underlying volumes and market share.    Inflation has acted as a recruiting sergeant for Walmart, driving more consumers seeking lower prices through its doors. But from all our data, those defecting to Walmart are generally satisfied with the proposition. Walmart has worked hard to keep their custom.    Underpinning this success is investment. Walmart has been prepared to put its hand in its pocket to ensure that operations, stores, and e-commerce are optimized. Capital spending within the US business was $42 billion over the past 3 years – 80% up on the preceding 3 years.    There are lots of ways in which this money has bolstered performance, but the big headline is that to remain at the top of the tree, retailers need to invest. How many have reached heady heights only to fall back because they’ve rested on their laurels?    Walmart has refused to fall into that trap. It’s a huge company, but it is also one that has a young mentality and an entrepreneurial culture. Basically, to remain on top, Walmart acts like it’s still at the bottom. I have linked the articles I referred to in the comments. #retail #retailnews #Walmart #grocery #ecommerce #investment

🛍️ Pop Mart just opened their first Berlin store to "endless queues"—and it signals a seismic shift in how Asian retail brands are conquering European markets While curating this week's cross-continental retail developments, Pop Mart's German debut perfectly demonstrates what I've been tracking: Asian collectibles retail is no longer content with domestic dominance—they're exporting cultural phenomena. As someone who curates retail insights across markets, here's what makes this strategically fascinating: • Cultural IP as competitive advantage: Pop Mart's Labubu character has helped drive the company to a HKD 333+ billion market value (approximately $42+ billion USD), proving that emotional attachment drives retail success more than product functionality • Scarcity as luxury strategy: Their blind box model transforms $10-15 toys into premium collectibles through engineered scarcity—Berlin queues prove European consumers embrace this Asian retail psychology • Retail as cultural export: This isn't just toy distribution—it's China exporting its collectibles culture, with Pop Mart becoming the ambassador for a new category of experiential retail In my research across retail transformations, I consistently observe that successful global expansion happens when brands export experiences, not just products. Pop Mart's approach—turning shopping into treasure hunting—creates universal appeal that transcends cultural boundaries. This Berlin opening positions Europe as Pop Mart's next growth laboratory, potentially influencing how other Asian experiential retail brands approach Western market entry. What retail cultural exports are reshaping your local market? 👇 #CollectiblesRetail #GlobalRetail #ExperientialRetail #RetailStrategy #AsianRetail #topretailexpert #retailconsultant #popupstore #storerour #retailtour

As a brand, the moment that HUGE purchase order from your dream retail partner arrives is one of the best feelings imaginable. But how you respond could be the difference between success or failure for your brand. If you're navigating the risk, reward, and complexity of channel expansion, thinking through how best to find profitable scale in the midst of rising digital customer acquisition costs, or trying to understand if or how brand investments will ever pay off, this post is for you. Here are my lessons around scaling Brand Strength and avoiding the biggest pitfall in retail expansion so you can capture the growth opportunity without getting yourself into the 9th circle of inventory, discounting, and cash-lockup hell. This is how I used to think: - "If we get a P.O., we find a way to make it happen, even if we don’t know exactly HOW” - "We are underdogs. If we don’t take the opportunity in front of us, somebody else will" “We don’t have the power the retailer does. After all, if we push back, they may never talk to us again” ⁃ “Knowingly turning down revenue is as blasphemous as saying “I actually think Nickleback is pretty good'” This is what I learned: - If you take down the whole PO, but cant’t drive full price sales velocity because of inadequate operational capabilities or Brand Stength, the elation turns to terror when those poor sell through reports start coming in ⁃ One of the owners of the most respected and successful retailers taught us, “If there’s one piece of advice I can give, it’s always make sure you have more demand than supply — even if it feels stupid to forego revenue in the short term” ⁃ I also learned that even though this advice is obvious, actually following the advice when growth is directly tied to my ego and net worth is a completely different story ⁃ If you can slow the rollout and break it down into store counts and volume you know you can deliver forecast-beating reg price sell-through on, even if you feel like an idiot for not taking all the revenue immediately, you’ll make more money ⁃ The negative impact on your Brand Strength from having your product heavily discounted by the retailer to move through the inventory, and the crippling impact of having your precious cash locked up in that inventory is far greater than the lost revenue from taking a more methodical rollout approach. Not to mention the hell on earth of potentially having to take the stale inventory back Ultimately, however, inventory mistakes are inevitable: Every brand has done it at some point Therefore, every brand who has survived went through the pain and found their way back If we can heed the advice and prioritize building Brand Strength well beyond your ability to monetize that Strength, AND resist the urge to capture every single last scrap of perceived demand, we will slightly increase the probability we'll start to witness the beauty that is compounding demand from compounding Brand Strength hope this helps ✌️❤️🤘

British retailers are rethinking global growth strategies as tariffs rise and domestic demand weakens.   UK sales growth is sluggish, the cost of doing business is rising, and new trade barriers are making established export markets less predictable. This is accelerating a quiet revolution in UK retail export strategies.   Our latest Retail Economics research with ESW finds that more than three-quarters of UK retail exporters are now actively exploring new international markets beyond the US – driven in part by the recent introduction of 10% tariffs on UK goods entering the US.   We’re seeing a clear pivot towards high-growth regions that offer both near-term stability and longer-term strategic value.   Since Brexit in 2021, exports to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and non-EU Europe have collectively increased by £1.1 billion: ▶️       The Middle East and North Africa have led this shift, with exports rising by 34% (+£646 million). ▶️       The UAE is now the fastest-growing non-EU retail export market, supported by a strong expat population demanding British brands and underlined by expansion plans from retailers such as Primark and CTRNE. ▶️       Western Europe (outside the EU) is also gaining ground – up 15% – as UK brands find opportunities in markets like Norway and Switzerland.   This growth builds on the perception of UK brands overseas. In our interviews with retailers, two in five cite the UK’s well-regulated product safety and quality regime as a key competitive advantage abroad.   Additionally, the UK’s digital maturity enables retailers to deliver competitive online and omnichannel experiences in new markets.   These home-grown advantages provide UK retailers a competitive edge in high-value markets.   Read more on key export markets for UK retailers in our latest research, available to download below: https://lnkd.in/gUaJziM2

What if your brand gets left behind in retail expansion just because you didn't test your strategy? When a brand expands into a new market, it’s easy to think that what worked elsewhere will work here too. But here's the reality, expansion isn’t just about opening doors, it’s about making sure you’ve opened the right doors. Take Kopi Kenangan, for example. The Southeast Asian coffee brand jthat has ust opened its first store in India in Delhi. And while it may seem like they’re jumping right into the deep end, they’ve actually been playing it smart. Kopi Kenangan, launched in Indonesia in 2017, now has 900 stores in the country. Their global expansion was strategic - they went into what were similar markets from customer profile to pricing. They are now present in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines & now India. Instead of rushing in, they’ve carefully tested their approach across similar Southeast Asian markets first. With a plan to open 50 stores by 2025 in India, they’re not just expanding, they’re adapting and learning with every new market. Then there’s Carrefour, which is re-entering India after a few years of absence. This time, however, they’re approaching it with a calculated strategy: partnering with the Apparel Group to leverage local expertise and slowly expand their presence. Unlike their previous misstep years ago, this time they’re making sure they do it right. And let’s not forget Lotus Bakeries and their partnership with Mondelez to bring Biscoff to India. The brand’s entry is rooted in understanding local distribution channels, ensuring that their entry isn’t just about putting products on shelves, but about doing it with local relevance. What these brands have in common is the ability to understand the unique cultural, economic, and consumer nuances of the markets they are entering, without rushing the process. It’s not just about replicating success from one place to another, but adapting it to fit the new context. This is where many fail, and where these brands excel. Expansion is not just about size. It’s about being smart and strategic. What’s the most effective retail expansion strategy you’ve seen? Or the biggest mistake you’ve seen a brand make while entering a new market? #retail #expansion #marketing #startups

Building loyalty through generosity NOT discounts. Claire Waring recently shared MECCA Brands's guiding principle with me, and I believe it’s something every brand should take to heart. We are now modelling the lifetime value of our customers based on discount codes. However, we have observed that the majority of customers who shop using discounts tend to continue doing so, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. It’s essential to recognise that loyalty should not—and cannot—be built solely on discounts. While discounts may drive short-term revenue, they do not cultivate genuine loyalty. Instead, loyalty stems from forging an emotional connection with your community. To drive this emotional connection, consider the following strategies: Authentic storytelling: share your brand's story, values, and mission. Sandradee Makejev from St Frock is a great example of this. Engage with your community: foster open communication with your customers through social media and other channels. No one does this better than Julie Mathers from Snuggle Hunny in Australia. Create memorable experiences: host events, both online and offline, that allow customers to engage with your brand in meaningful way. Henne's Sydney launch party was the place to be and months later you have to queue to get in. Personalisation: tailor your communications and offerings to meet the individual needs and preferences of your customers. There is a real gap in the market when it comes to this and we have seen Pace Athletic make real strides here. Show appreciation: recognise and celebrate your loyal customers through gestures of appreciation that don’t involve discounts. It's hard to beat Mecca when it comes to this! Which brand offers your favourite loyalty program?

In the last 4 years, I’ve seen startups pour their hearts and money into branding and packaging, only to watch their brand identity crumble across digital platforms. You know why? Because most businesses treat branding as a one-time design project instead of an ongoing story. I’m starting a 5-day Simplifying Branding #series where I’ll talk about the real branding challenges entrepreneurs face—and help you solve them. So, you’ve got your: -Logo designed -Colors in place -Packaging sorted But is that all? No. Ever wonder why McDonald's feels the same in Tokyo and Toronto? The answer is their universal brand guidelines. Here are 5 steps to ensure your brand guidelines cover every area of your identity: 1️⃣Make Brand Guidelines Your Brand Bible Here are just a few things you should document: >> Primary and secondary color codes (not just “blue”) >> Font combinations for every platform >> Voice guide with actual examples (“Write like this, not like that”) >> Pre-approved image styles and filters >> Response templates for customer service etc 2️⃣Create Platform-Specific Playbooks Instagram isn’t LinkedIn. Each platform needs its own strategy while keeping your core identity intact. 3️⃣Set up systems to prevent brand dilution: >> Weekly content review sessions >> Shared asset libraries with locked brand elements >> Regular team training on brand updates 4️⃣Adapt Smartly >> Schedule quarterly brand reviews >> Track engagement across different brand expressions >> Test and document what works (and what doesn’t) Brands with consistent messaging across all channels see a 20% boost in revenue. Yet in 2025, I still see most businesses leaving money on the table with cluttered brand identities. Don’t be one of them. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to branding? I might cover it in Episode 2.

You’re chasing growth—but at what cost? Growth is exciting, but it comes with risks. And if you're not managing those risks effectively, you could face setbacks that derail your progress. Here’s how to balance growth and manage risk like a pro: 1. Keep your customers in mind ↳ Growth is great, but not at your customers' expense. Keep their success central to your strategy. 2. Assess the risk and opportunity ↳ If the risk is clear and manageable, go for it. If it's unknown or outweighs the reward, think twice. 3. Build a strong foundation ↳ Invest in good metrics, processes, and people to handle growth without chaos. 4. Create mitigation plans ↳ Different risks require different strategies—plan accordingly. 5. Review your plan regularly ↳ What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Stay agile. 6. Log risks and opportunities ↳ Track and evaluate risks throughout projects to avoid surprises. 7. Invest in your team’s skills ↳ Growth isn't sustainable without a skilled, empowered team. 8. Pursue adjacent markets ↳ Build on what you already know and do well instead of spreading yourself thin. 9. Measure ROI before scaling ↳ If the numbers don’t add up, rethink your growth strategy. 10. Conduct thorough risk assessments ↳ Be proactive—identify threats and develop contingency plans. 11. Collaborate with others ↳ Team up to share ideas, reduce risks, and boost success. 12. Implement mitigation strategies ↳ Identify risks and plan how to handle them while staying growth-focused. 13. Learn from the past, prepare for the future ↳ Review performance data and industry trends to guide smart decisions. 14. Monitor cash flow closely ↳ Growth without cash flow control is a disaster waiting to happen. 15. Quantify risks through in-depth analyses ↳ Know your risks inside out and structure growth to minimize them. Growth without risk management is reckless. But growth with smart risk management? That’s where long-term success happens. Which of these strategies do you already follow? ♻️ Share this to help more leaders grow wisely. —- 📌 Want to become the best LEADERSHIP version of yourself in the next 30 days? 🧑💻Book 1:1 Growth Strategy call with me: https://lnkd.in/gVjPzbcU #BusinessGrowth #RiskManagement #Leadership #Strategy #SustainableSuccess