MAGIC 2025 Recap: Retail Experts Panel & Must-Know Retail Strategies
This February, the MAGIC Conference in Las Vegas once again brought together the best in retail from all over North America—brands, buyers, and experts shaping the industry's future.
Management One was at the forefront, meeting industry leaders, hosting expert panels, and leading key discussions to share insights on how retailers can thrive in 2025. From understanding inventory planning to leveraging retail POS software, discussions provided practical guidance on how to take calculated risks to grow business.
A standout session was The Boutique Bosses, featuring Dane Cohen (Director of Retail Strategy at Management One) and Brooke Leno (Owner of Out of Town Boutique), where they explored what it takes to succeed as an independent retailer in 2025.
Here’s a recap of the highlights, trends, and must-know strategies you need to remember from MAGIC this year.
Retail Rewind: The Shifts Shaping 2025
At the MAGIC Premiere Partner Lounge, Dane Cohen discussed major trends impacting retailers in 2025 with Alexa Sommers (Head Buyer at GOOD THINGS), Marc Weiss (Founder of Management One) and Doug Hilfiker (Retail Expert at Management One).
Looking back, the panel agreed that with a strong Q4 and a successful holiday season fueling optimism, retailers came eager to grow—but also mindful of challenges:
The Retail Boom & Inflation Challenges – Brick-and-mortar saw a resurgence, but rising costs and supply chain struggles created hurdles.
Economic Uncertainty – Tariffs, AI advancements, and political shifts continue to impact retailers.
The Power of Data – Businesses that harnessed inventory management software and POS systems for retail saw greater success.
With these factors in mind, the panel tackled the biggest question: How can boutique owners maximize profitability in 2025?
What’s Next for Retail? 2025 Trends to Watch
Fashion & Product Trends
Data from Q4 2024 revealed key shifts in consumer demand:
Cozy styles dominated — sweatshirts, jackets, and loungewear saw double-digit growth.
Footwear surged, with clogs and socks gaining traction.
Color Trends — Moka and cream emerged as stand out shades for 2025.
Technology & Retail Innovation
Management One’s longtime client Brooke Leno, owner of Out of Town Boutique, is a successful independent retailer, who balances being a mom, a business woman and an entrepreneur. She insisted on going back to the basics: focusing on the product and people by increasing sales training and product knowledge, as well as focusing on driving business to her most productive product categories.
Using Management One’s inventory insights and forecasting software, she revealed how it helped her to become a more focused and stronger buyer, and how it can support retailers today:
POS systems for retail are more critical than ever – they help retailers track sales, manage promotions, and understand customer buying habits.
Inventory software for retail is a game-changer – it allows businesses to plan smarter and reduce costly mistakes.
AI and automation will play an ever bigger role in predicting demand and optimizing stock levels.
Final Takeaways
Retail success in 2025 will come down to smart inventory planning, data-driven decision-making, and staying ahead of trends. Whether it's leveraging retail POS software or adapting to consumer shifts, the key is proactive management.
As Dane Cohen put it: "The economic climate may go up and down, but one thing is for sure : retailers need to empower their business by looking at their own data and controlling their own destiny to achieve success.”
Are you ready to make 2025 your strongest year yet? 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.
To find out how Management One can upgrade your inventory management in 2025 with advanced tools for demand forecasting and sales optimization, get a free consultation here.