Retail Insights

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

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

Returning to Our Roots: Humanity, Relationships, and Purpose

For 35 years, I had the privilege of building Management One (M1) from the ground up. It was more than a business—it was my passion, my craft, and my way of serving people with integrity, clarity, and care. Over time, M1 grew, changed, and evolved. Growth is a blessing, but it can also create distance from the principles that first gave life to business.

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Ashley Binford Ashley Binford

Webinar Recording: Psychological Pricing and Messaging

Shoppers don’t just buy products—they respond to cues, signals, and emotions that influence their choices. In this webinar, retail strategist Paul Erickson unpacks the art and science behind psychological pricing and compelling messaging. You’ll discover how small changes in price presentation and communication can have an outsized impact on customer behavior and revenue.

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

Smarter Buying: 7 Rules that Keep Your Store and Customers in Sync

Buying isn’t just filling shelves. It’s balancing data, instincts, and storytelling so every dollar you spend grows your business.
Read this blog to learn the 7 rules that keep your store and customers in sync.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

5 Top Apparel & Fashion Trends Driving Retail Sales in 2025

For independent retailers, staying relevant means knowing which styles are resonating right now—and why. In 2025, trends are evolving quickly, shaped by shifting lifestyles, greater focus on sustainability, and a desire for individuality. 

Here are five major trends in 2025, giving you insight into what’s selling, what’s gaining momentum, and where the opportunities lie for your store.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

How to Determine What Merchandise Your Customers Want in Fashion Retail

In independent retail, winners know exactly what their customers want—sometimes before the customers themselves do. The key to determining the right merchandise is combining hard data, real-world conversations, and a trained eye for what’s next. Here’s how to stay in tune with your shoppers and ahead of the curve in a fast-moving fashion landscape.

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Guest User Guest User

July 2025 M1 Client Performance Overview

July was steady to last year with similar markdowns and inventory levels. Tariff chatter is loud and everywhere, but so far sales have not pulled back. As we transition into Fall, stay on offense: pull sell-through and Inventory Action Reports weekly, double-down on what’s moving, and take early markdowns on what’s not. Keep vendor conversations going to protect IMU and curb any freight or tariff surcharges before they land. 

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

Strategies for Laying out your Store Merchandise to Drive Sales

When it comes to increasing retail sales, how you arrange your merchandise matters just as much as what you sell. A smart store layout guides customer movement, highlights your most profitable items, and ultimately drives more conversions—without increasing your square footage. 

Here’s how to use proven layout strategies to turn browsers into buyers.

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Marie Merien Marie Merien

The Retail Cash Flow Playbook : 3 Moves to Protect Your Business in Any Season

In retail, profits may drive headlines—but it’s cash flow that keeps the lights on. According to Forbes, 82% of small businesses fail due to poor cash flow management, not lack of profit. And that’s where retail forecasting becomes a game-changer. Find out the three key moves to help you take control of your cash flow, no matter the season.

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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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