Nina McLemore

🚀 Thrilled to Announce: Barque & Star's Relaunch! 🚀 Dear Colleagues and Friends, I'm thrilled to share that Barque & Star has relaunched with a renewed commitment to unlocking hidden value and driving sustainable growth in the retail sector. I want to express my deep gratitude for your support and insights throughout this transition. Your contributions have been invaluable and have played a significant role in the decision to relaunch. At Barque & Star, we're not just consultants but strategic partners dedicated to delivering measurable results. Our approach is rooted in data-driven insights and expertise, aligning with the latest trends and strategies shaping the retail landscape. Here's how we stand out: - We deliver a dynamic and rapidly deployable team of proven retail leaders, providing a one-stop solution for successfully navigating the complexities of modern retail and retail investment. - Our uniquely positioned team leverages industry expertise, proven methodologies, and peer-level credibility. We are confident in our ability to create the relationships critical to rapid change management and sustained out-performance, and we look forward to demonstrating this to you. Barque & Star is not just a consultancy; we're your trusted partners in achieving peak retail performance. We value your input and believe that our collaboration can unlock the full potential of your retail operation or investments. I invite you to explore our new website, www.barqueandstar.com, to learn more about our services and how we can work together to drive innovation and success in the retail sector. "In special situations - high growth, transformation, or turnarounds - it takes a special talent to get to the truth and find the leverage points for sustainable growth. James is a remarkable leader who is great in the boardroom but also then takes the strategic direction and translates it into the tactical - for the entire team. He helped us through a tough acquisition, turnaround, and exit. The entire cycle happened within one year and yielded a 2.5x MOIC." — Chid Liberty, CEO The Dutchess | MP Liberty Friedman Fund I'm optimistic about the future and know that we can achieve remarkable things together. Let's embrace a future of innovation, growth, and shared success! Please DM me here, or schedule a free initial consultation via the website to learn more about how we can partner. Warm regards, James #BarqueAndStar #Relaunch #Consulting #UnlockingValue #Growth #Retail #RetailInvestment

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🌟 From Supermodel to Pet Industry Entrepreneur: The Pivot of Taylor Hill 🌟 From the world's most iconic fashion runways and magazine covers, Taylor Hill has made a remarkable pivot from supermodel to pet industry innovator. After a personal loss and profound insights gained from her late beloved labradoodle, Tate, Hill ventured into entrepreneurship with a purpose-driven mission. With the launch of Tate & Taylor, Hill aims to tackle the complex $143 billion pet market by creating a community-centric platform that simplifies pet ownership. Her venture focuses on curated experiences, promoting ethical brands like FLOOF and Springer Pets, and providing credible information, making the pet care industry more accessible and less daunting for pet owners. Key to Hill's venture is promoting brands that align with her values of quality and transparency. Hill is also driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare, evidenced by her support for initiatives like The Buddy Fund, which helps manage cancer treatment costs for pets, and her role as an ambassador for Animal Aid USA. Taylor Hill's transition into the pet industry is not just a business move; it's a heartfelt endeavor to honor Tate and improve the lives of pet owners and their furry companions. Her story tells a personal experience and passion that can inspire success in business ventures with purpose. For the latest article on my Forbes page: https://lnkd.in/eDZHw57t #CareerPivot #Entrepreneurship #PetIndustry #Innovation

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I'm thrilled by the insights from a recent study highlighted by Orbis Research on the #luxury handbag #resalemarket. This comprehensive report projects significant trends and opportunities up to 2031, emphasizing the growing consumer preference for #sustainable and budget-friendly luxury options. My key takeaways were: 💼 Why resale is the future? The shift towards resale services isn't just about economics; it's about an evolving consumer ethos that values sustainability as much as style. With major players like The RealReal, THE OUTNET.COM, and FASHIONPHILE leading the charge, the resale market is not just a niche but a forefront of luxury #retail evolution. This isn't just a trend isolated in one region. The report covers over 12 regions, offering a global view that helps us understand and strategize worldwide. It's clear that to stay relevant, we must acknowledge and adapt to these global shifts. The integration of detailed #marketanalysis, like Porter’s Five Forces, gives us a clearer understanding of our competitive landscape and consumer behavior. It’s essential for us as industry leaders to adapt our strategies to meet these evolving market dynamics proactively. What are your thoughts on the luxury handbags resale market?

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Thanks Beauty Independent and Erica La Sala for sharing my thoughts on the Saks Fifth Avenue / Neiman Marcus Group deal and how it might impact the luxury beauty market and the department store channel overall. Some of my key takeaways: ▶ The Saks/Neimans merger is occurring amidst significant department store challenges as growth has shifted to specialty retailers like SEPHORA and Ulta Beauty. ▶ The declining department store channel has historically been key for luxury beauty brands which could face reduced retail options and leverage as a result of the merger. ▶ This further emphasizes the need for luxury beauty brands to pursue direct-to-consumer growth strategies leveraging their high AOV and gross margin profiles to support profitable new customer acquisition growth. ▶ Perhaps the combination of Saks and Neiman Marcus will allow for a more enhanced retail experience overall that is even better suited for luxury beauty in the future - only time will tell. Great insights also shared by Kelly St. John, Tina Henry Bou-Saba, Karen Hayes and other beauty industry colleagues! True Beauty Ventures #beautyinvesting #beauty #VC https://lnkd.in/eswm8YD3

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“If you look at consumer purchasing decisions, people choose the lowest price for the best perceived quality and style,” said Elena Bridgers, who launched her slow fashion line Hera California. “That’s rational. It’s a really small segment of people who live their values when it comes to sustainable fashion.” Is there room in the market for brands that put sustainability first? Is there a market space for truly sustainable fashion or is it just a dream of a few? Who can change this industry to be more sustainable for all the consumers? Will only the rules imposed by legislators be able to do it? What will be the role of the DPP in the evolution of a more sustainable fashion industry? #Sustainablefashion #sustainability #traceability #circularity Arcangelo D'Onofrio Natasha Franck Laure Betsch Martina Schiuma Romain Carrere Francesco Pieri Guido Mengoni Alois Bertona Gianpaolo Azzini Veronica Monni Amit Gautam Matthieu Hug Shameek Ghosh Jason McIntosh Piero Puttini Carlo Giardinetti, MBA giorgio macor

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I was quoted in this article on the FTC trying to block the merger between Tapestry and Capri. What I find interesting is that, like me, most of the other people quoted find the ruling incredulous. This includes an executive from a competitor brand, who admitted that while they should be happy about the attempt to block, they actually think the FTC is anachronistic and has no understanding of how the market works. I go further. I think the FTC has become a menace. It is attacking the companies that generate wealth and make the country stronger. It does so under the camouflage of 'protecting consumers' but, in reality, the only thing it's protecting in this instance is its own warped worldview. Thanks to WWD for including my thoughts alongside many other interesting musings... https://lnkd.in/e-qqm_z6 #retail #retailnews #luxury #handbags #FTC #competition

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When Stuart shared his philosophy of “evolution not revolution,” I celebrated this sentiment as it is one I commonly share. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Stuart Weitzman, a legacy, a sharp businessman with a full career of success. This episode provides wonderful insights into his achievements, and is full of marvelous stories. #fashionindustry #fashionpodcast @stuartweitzman

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Good article on Puma outlined by Ken Pucker on how they were able to decouple increased growth from lowering emissions. Impressive data that since 2017, Puma has doubled revenues to $9.3 billion, while cutting carbon emissions by 30%. On a per unit basis, that is a 66% reduction. At my last company, I created a model to show that the consolidation of markets, with a calendar adjustment could reduce emissions by 18% allowing a reduction in carbon emissions and creating a savings from air to sea freight alone. This is one of the highest impact adjustments companies can make to really lower emissions.

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This is such an important observation about the current landscape of department store leadership. It’s encouraging to see women leading major fashion divisions at Amazon and Walmart, but it’s clear there’s still a significant gap in representation at the top levels of traditional department stores. Diversity in leadership not only reflects the customer base but also drives innovation and inclusivity within the industry. We have a tremendous opportunity to push for more representative leadership across all sectors. Let's continue the conversation and advocate for change. #DiversityInLeadership #RetailIndustry #WomenInBusiness

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🌎 Living in a Next-Gen Material World is about envisioning radical futures and solving systemic issues in the Fashion Industry. 🔬 In my latest TOMORROW column (issue #28) for Spur magazine, we focused on the Bio-Industrial Revolution and how forward-thinking leaders are reshaping industries with groundbreaking solutions. ⏩ There's a momentum I’ve witnessed grow in over a decade of covering fashion futures and bio-materials. 💚 A moral imperative drives this bio-industrial revolution, transforming how we produce fashion goods to create a new normal. 🛰️ The future is about reimagining what's possible. 📰 Read the insights here (in English) https://lnkd.in/gf9e_f7W Featuring: Sway GANNI BioFluff Kuori Natural Fiber Weldings Living Ink Modern Synthesis Rubi Laboratories Qorium & More!

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A successful "ugly" brand needs the culmination of a few factors to get it right. The art of the "ugly" shoe lies in mastering comfort, marketing, and cultural resonance. Unsuccessful brands tend to falter with one or several of these. The ugly shoe trend is part comfort, part clever marketing, and largely due to cultural resonance following the pandemic. HeyDude failed to deliver on the comfort front, and the designs weren't appealing. Uggs, Crocs, and Birkenstock have the redeeming qualities and relevance to make it work. #Trends #Fashion #Branding

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I've been giving much thought about Signet Jewelers’ first quarter earnings report and conference call. As always, the company provided a wealth of information and insights to its business, and, with that, its view of the the US jewelry market. The most important point for me was the need to boost the bridal segment. Signet needs to deliver on its expectation that engagements are about to spike, resulting from a lag in dating caused by the pandemic. It has played up that notion over the past year. One would have expected to start seeing the effect of the delay over the holiday season and into the first quarter. But Signet’s bridal sales fell 11% and 12% respectively in the two periods. The numbers suggest a fundamental weakness in the market that extends beyond the effects of the dearth of romance during Covid. It re-emphasizes the the importance of Signet’s collaboration with De Beers Group to promote natural diamonds through joint marketing and training of Signet sales personnel. One cannot rest on one's laurels... it will take a major marketing effort to reverse the trend. Here’s my summary of Signet’s 1Q results along with some additional thoughts. 👇 https://lnkd.in/g6kD68nr

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Hoop hurray! Shall we thank them now, or if this ever gets passed and wriitten rightly into law? Enviornmentally speaking, time is ticking. Urgently, and with every passing hour, more obscenely. It is unbelievable to me that we are knocking the 1.5 degree, and STILL have fashion operating freely? Serious obsenity. Legislation is obscenely negligent in protecting as this entitlement of system is not very speedy. In exception of course to the recent EU passing against greenwashing. This law managed to crawl up the mighty hill of unliklliness and passed unusually quickly. Not so for the whole of the fashion industry, All are accountable today for sustainable shifting. With the scientific news of Earths tipping points tipping… every choice after matters intentiy. We know who, and what is accountably harming. We know. Globally we see. Legislation is past due on acting and protecting. Decades have been lost to government foot dragging. To “the business” of running the industry of economy by “collectively” ignoring the science to keep this “growth” business model flowing. Regardless of the harm we are causing. Now the corals are bleaching. The world is watching. Act urgently and accountably. #Planetfirst is everything. 🌍👁

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💫 Luxury shopping for me, as both an entrepreneur and a mother of three, has proven to be an investment that extends far beyond the initial purchase. 💫    By carefully selecting timeless pieces of high quality that all go well with my whole wardrobe, I am saving money on cost per wear and time in my busy mornings. This efficiency not only makes my day easier but also helps me feel more confident and empowered as I manage my roles as an entrepreneur and a mom.    In my latest video, I'll share how I've mastered this approach, revealing five essential wardrobe staples styled into 15 chic and classic looks.    #FashionEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurMom  #WomenInBusiness #LuxuryShopping 

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I have suggestions to help fashion ecommerce: The demand for functional fashion is on the rise, and pockets are leading the charge. The Wall Street Journal's article, "Women’s Clothes Finally Have Pockets. What Took So Long," highlights the evolution of women's garments, now featuring pockets that offer both utility and style. This shift reflects broader societal changes, promoting equality and recognizing women's active roles in public and professional spheres. As an avid supporter of pockets, I appreciate how they can be designed to either stand out with a cargo style or blend seamlessly into the garment's design. For e-commerce retailers, this trend presents a significant opportunity to enhance the online shopping experience. Here are some actionable insights: 1. Add a "Pockets" Filter: Introduce a filter option specifically for pockets, allowing customers to easily find clothing items that meet their functional needs would improve navigation and discoverability. 2. Detailed Product Descriptions: Clearly indicate the presence and type of pockets in product descriptions. Don't rely solely on images; specify the functionality and design of the pockets. Added benefit of improving SEO. 3. Highlight Functional Fashion: In your marketing and product listings, emphasize the practical benefits of pockets, supporting the growing trend towards functional equality in fashion. By integrating these features, retailers can cater to the increasing demand for practical and stylish clothing, ensuring a better shopping experience for their customers. If you make these updates please let me know any data insights.

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I love it when I find an article that really resonates. Lyn Slater’s The Washington Post piece on evolving style spoke directly to me, and I had to share. My take? Stop looking to media, fashion magazines, and influencers for your personal style. Personal style should be personal. I feel so strongly about this (which is why I trademarked the phrase, ha!), and it is my mission to help women find what makes them feel truly connected to themselves. But, here’s the secret: it’s not static. Your style should evolve and grow with you. What served you a year ago, or even five years ago, might not resonate now. This evolution has NOTHING to do with age—it has everything to do with YOU. You aren’t the same woman at age 50 that you were at age 30… and chances are, you don’t want to be. Build a relationship with your mirror and love that woman that you see there. Play. Try things on. Let go of your wardrobing ghosts (and the trends you felt compelled to try!). Embrace the journey of discovering and rediscovering your unique style. #PersonalStyle #Evolution #BeYou #Style

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Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a gathering of senior retail leaders in New York to discuss “How to Win with AI: The Human Factor”. The event included an expert panel moderated by our very own Charlie Stack and featured the perspectives of: • Jack Hanlon, AI Product Leader, Meta • Prakhar Mehrotra, Managing Director of AI, Blackstone • Laks Srinivasan, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Return on AI Institute So how should retailers successfully deploy AI? The first step is to clean up their existing data. They don’t need to embark on a complete technology overhaul but instead start with their most important business problems and commit to a few where AI can make a clear impact. Retail leaders also need to remember that successfully integrating AI is not a tech agenda, it’s a people agenda. Successful organizations appropriately prioritize AI, determine the best ownership structure for AI, and incentivize behavior that supports AI adoption. Integration does not start with, “Can AI replace human capital?”, but instead should be, “How can AI support my people to solve problems better?” But this all requires support from the top. Instigating change and successfully leveraging any technology, especially AI, needs to be supported by Board and C-suite leaders, and is best done by those who have invested in developing AI intuition. We would like to thank our panelists and guests for their fascinating contributions and also invite you to read our latest thinking around AI in retail by our London-based colleague Veena Marr:

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This trend of companies backing off their support of PRIDE because of fear of customer backlash makes me sad. CEOs have a responsibility to lead with their values...not just when it's convenient. Face Reality will continue to be a vocal advocate for causes and initiatives that make us more diverse--including PRIDE. Diversity in thinking, diversity in background, diversity in all kinds of ways makes us a stronger company. When we take the time to listen to each other, listen to that diversity in thinking, we'll get to better business decisions every single time. https://lnkd.in/gxaqV4BC

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