Data Doesn't Lie: Competing Trends in Consumer Spend

December 24, 2018
Hosted by Michael Dart

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Episode Description

Michael Dart welcomes Don Unser, Retail Group President of NPD Group and Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Advisor of the NPD Group to discuss the current state of retail after this holiday season, and political climate. Which companies are surviving, and even thriving today? Three key takeaways are discussed: Online threats are still causing a lot of anxiety for retailers and investor community, the data potentially points to lack of confidence in long-term consumer spending; there's been a boom but household debt is at all-time highs, and finally, political uncertainty and potential global trade wars, which would have a big impact on the consumer and where they'd be spending money. Which sectors still have high growth potential, and which demographics are expected to increase spend in the near term? For feedback or to reach out, email shopcast@ATKearney.com

Shopcast: Talking Retail Strategy

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Shopcast: Talking Retail Strategy is an in-depth look at the changes shaking the retail world. Hosted by A.T. Kearney partner and retail expert Michael Dart, Shopcast addresses topics such as new consumer values, generational and demographic trends, and emerging technologies and business models. Leading executives lend their voices to our discussions, including: Harvey Kanter, Chairman of the Board at Blue Nile, Michael Massey, former chairman at PetSmart, and David Jaffe, CEO of Ascena Retail Group.

Michael’s expertise is regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, and also in his coauthored books Retail’s Seismic Shift and The New Rules of Retail.

Michael Dart

Michael Dart is a partner in A.T. Kearney's Consumer Products and Retail Practice. He is an accomplished consultant and advisor with a wealth of experience leading major strategic transformations and due diligence studies for many of the largest private-equity funds and global retailers. He also has extensive experience leading the development and implementation of business strategies and growth efforts. Michael is based in A.T. Kearney’s San Francisco office.

Michael has been recognized by Consulting magazine as one of its top 25 consultants. He co-authored The New Rules of Retail and Retail's Seismic Shift, both best sellers on Amazon, and is a frequent contributor in the press. He has spoken at major conferences and delivered keynote speeches at the Women’s Wear Daily Apparel and Retail CEO Summit in New York and the Global Department Store Summit in Paris and Beijing.

Before joining A.T. Kearney, Michael was a senior partner in the strategy and private equity practice at Kurt Salmon, where he led engagements for seven of the top 10 private equity funds and multiple retailers in the United States. He was also a partner with Bain and Company. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from Oxford University and an MBA in finance and strategic planning from the Wharton School of Business.

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