Goodwill Goes to the Movies

When I was growing up, second-hand shopping meant you were poor, and kids made fun of you because you didn’t wear brand-name clothes. Today, it means you’re a savvy consumer who loves Mother Earth. God, I love the evolution of our society!

Goodwill has never been cooler to shop at (and I’ve been doing it since I was 10!) - it even has its own documentary in the works.

A laid-off journalist, Jenna Isaacson, has decided to bring more attention to positive second-hand, sustainable consumerism with her documentary: "All Thrifty States: A Visual Journey through America’s Collective Closets." Isaacson is currently traveling the country in a fuel-efficient RV from Cruise America through Aug. 8 documenting the Goodwill, second-hand lifestyle.

There are several things I love about this project:

1)      It’s great PR for Goodwill, a second-hand retail establishment that helps keep our “stuff” out of landfills and employs folks who have trouble getting jobs in traditional retail environments.

2)      A laid-off journalist has found a way to pursue her passion and have it sponsored by the likes of Goodwill and Cruise America. She funded the trip through Kickstarter.com. (This is yet another thing I love about our society - raising money for personal causes and creative projects is now "in.")

3)      It’s saving the world. Goodwill “diverts” more than 2 billion pounds of goods from landfills and eight out of every 10 dollars goes towardsproviding job training for those struggling to find jobs. Amazing!

And this is the way we can all save the world. Take what we’re passionate about and find a way to make the world a better place with it. Goodwill has been around for what seems like forever, and they are consistently finding ways to keep their brand alive and do good for the world.

Is there anything better?

Are you a second-hand retail fan? Know of other retailers who are leading the charge in saving our world? Tell us about it here!

-Heather Strang

Emerging Retail Markets Rule The World

My good friend Dave just quit his $60,000 a year job in Portland, Ore., to travel to South America. The thing is, Dave, 31, loved his job, had a great community and not a care in the world. But, something was pulling him, tugging at him really, to leave it all behind for South America. Most of us thought he was a bit crazy to leave such a phenomenal life for the great unknown.

But, after reading CNBC’s Retail’s Hottest Emerging Markets 2011, I now know what was calling Dave to Brazil, Peru and beyond – shopping, delicious, amazing shopping.

Retail has never been hotter abroad than in 2011. Riding off the coattails of a downturn, the world is prospering in new and exciting ways - espeically in South America. When I was in Brazil three years ago, there was just an inkling of what was to come as Brazilian woman strutted their stuff in 5-in. heels and skinny jeans.

Today, with the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games headed its way, Brazil is being flooded with retailers from all angles – Burberry, H&M, Topshop and the like. In fact, according to CNBC, more than $50 billion in investments are set to hit Brazil. So, it’s no surprise that it’s the No. 1 retail emerging market.

Check out the other nine markets that every retailer should be eyeing - if they aren’t already:

10 – Turkey
9 – United Arab Emirates
8 – Peru: Dave is going to have fun there with 5 percent year-over-year GDP growth.
7 – Saudi Arabia
6 – China: Down from the No. 1 spot last year; although smaller cities are finally starting to get some retail play.
5 – Kuwait
4 – India
3 – Chile: It’s estimated that the retail sector will grow 10 percent in 2011 alone!
2 – Uruguay: A smaller size and a strong economy make this an excellent choice for retailers wanting to dip their toes into the South American market.

And while I’ll miss my friend Dave terribly, I’m secretly planning on dropping him very subtle hints (like writing this blog, for instance) so he’ll pick me up some stellar goods during his travels.

What are your favorite emerging retail markets? Have you been to any of the above to experience the expansion first-hand? Give us your thoughts here.

-Heather Strang

 

In Praise of the Path Less Traveled

Next time you find yourself looking for inspiration around this biz we are in, I have a recommendation for you. It's a city in the west of Europe a little off the beaten path, but not completely out of the question for a weekend trip. It is not, however, top of the list when you think of shopping destinations and in some ways that's the point--for what could be more delightful than the unexpected in this world of pre-packaged, Google-reviewed experiences that we find ourselves today?

Upon arrival, the town reveals itself as a quaint and delightful place known for world-class gourmet cooking expressed in everything from its countless backstreet eateries to the perfect stacks of macaroons that adorn every breakfast table. I knew when I found out I was going to this city I was going to eat; I did not expect that the most memorable part of the trip would be all about retail.

After a long day of meetings, an early evening foray into old town just across the river from our hotel took us into a labyrinth of tiny stores and boutiques--one jewel after another. The merchandising in these stores was jaw-dropping, from an aroma-filled Salon de The, to an exquisite toy store, to a vintage book store, to a hole in the wall that seemed to sell nothing but vinegar and olive oil, but which presented its wares in beautiful arrangements of light and color arranged between the ingredients which infused them. On one corner a butcher, on the next a baker, and I'm sure, if we'd looked long enough, we'd have found a candlestick maker.

It was a procession of micro experiences so rich I almost couldn't believe it--in many ways challenging the mass approach we take to most of our stores in the United States, while at the same time affirming the very reasons I got into retail. The theater, the storytelling, the art and the craft, we only had a couple of hours and it literally was too much to take in.

Pretty much any city has a series of stores like these. We've all visited them. What most cities don't have is all of them in the same square couple of miles. So, next time you find yourself coming up dry, you should consider this place--after all, it's a mere night flight away. In the spirit of the title here, ignore the main shopping streets--pleasant enough, but nothing you haven't seen before. Instead, take the bridge into its historic core. Find the Cathedral, walk up the steps until your back is to the double doors and from thence walk back down the steps and head right.

I feel as if I'm missing something here...oh yes, the location of this panoply of shopping delights. That my friends (and as an Englishman it pains to me to admit it) is the fabulous, wonderful, delightful city of Lyon, France.

Wondering now if there aren't a hundred of these little gems out there that we never know about. Anyone care to share?

--Christian Davies, Guest Blogger