Chris Power

In 2025, retailer brands hit record sales and outgrow big brands. Shoppers want good value and good quality, and retailers now offer premium and functional options too. Where it’s already mainstream: -United States. Retailer brands grew +3.7% vs +1.1% for national brands. Sales are close to $280B , a record. For many shoppers, own brands are the default. -United Kingdom. Own-label share stayed near parity with brands (about 47–52%). Premium private label is growing fast. -Western Europe. In several countries, private label is over 40% of category sales. It’s part of the regular basket. Where it’s growing up: -Asia–Pacific. 54% of consumers say they now buy private label more often (leaders: Thailand, India, China, Indonesia). People see it as “good enough quality at a fair price.” -Latin America. Share is lower than in Europe, but growth is faster than the global market. Big room to grow, especially for discounters and club formats. Where it’s still early: Middle East & Africa. In many countries, share is still under 2%, but momentum is building as modern retail expands and shoppers seek affordability. Why this is happening: -Value without trade-offs. Most shoppers see private label as “good value for money” and a real alternative to brands. The stigma is fading. -Retailer strategy. Big chains launch premium lines (chef-inspired, plant-based, “made without”). Own brands are about innovation, not just low price. -Promo reality. Brands overuse discounts. Retailers push their own labels smartly, earning margin and loyalty, so private label keeps its share. What manufacturers should do (5 quick moves): 1) Rebuild the portfolio for profitable volume. Cut the long tail. Put money on your #1–2 brands and best-margin SKUs. EY State of Consumer Products 2025 says companies that simplify portfolios and focus win more. (EY) 2) Innovate for clear, simple benefits. No “just another flavor.” Make health-led products (high protein, no sugar, clean label) and easy formats. PwC Voice of the Consumer 2025 shows health benefits are a top reason people switch food brands. (PwC) 3) Co-create with retailers, not just ask for shelf space. Bring a category growth plan, exclusive packs, and retail-media tests with incrementality. Deloitte 2025 Consumer Products Outlook urges precision growth (balance price-volume-mix and smarter demand gen). (Deloitte) 4) Run price–pack–promo with hard measurement. Use RGM: targeted promos, MMM, and receipt data to prove lift vs. private label. Deloitte 2025 Outlook calls for profitable growth levers, not blanket discounting. (Deloitte Insights) 5) Tighten operations and cost-to-serve with data/AI. Make the supply chain transparent, cut waste, and free margin to reinvest. KPMG Global Tech Report 2025 (Consumer & Retail) links higher digital/AI maturity to better profitability. (KPMG Assets) #PrivateLabel #FMCG #CPG #Retail #StoreBrands #ConsumerTrends #RGM #CategoryManagement #RetailMedia #RetailInnovation

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Cross-selling doesn’t automatically grow AOV Here’s proof: I audited a Shopify store with 50K+ orders/year They sell niche footwear accessories And they were offering bundles, but only as add-ons (metal tips, lace locks) The result? ✔ 45% of orders were bundles × AOV was stuck at $13.75 The reason: Customers were buying 2-5 items per order, but almost never full sets What the data showed: - Avg. items per order: 2.5 - Common patterns: 2 or 3 colors of the same product - Most frequent combos:  -> black + white  -> sail + pink  -> Jordan 1 + aglets But the site didn’t push bundles actively It didn’t make mixing easy And it didn’t highlight common combos The opportunity? Test new mix & match formats: 1) 3-pack builder: any 3 colors 2) 2 laces + optional add-ons 3) Trio + aglets: 2 required, 1 optional + accessory Expected impact? 👉 +15-20% AOV uplift 👉 More 3-5 item orders 👉 Better category discovery This is exactly the kind of audit insight I’ll be sharing at the Shopify Founders Meetup in Bratislava - Nov 6 If you’re building a Shopify brand in Slovakia and want more ideas like this: Register here👇 https://lnkd.in/epyc4aKr

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Your 12-year-old isn't just playing games. They're building an empire. We used to tell kids to "get a paper route" But Gen Alpha are launching micro-businesses on Roblox before they even hit high school. By 2026, global AI spending will hit $2 trillion (!) But for this generation, AI isn't a tool they learned. It’s the air they breathe. They don't view AI through a technology lens, but more so as a simple form of leverage. While we worry about screen time, they are mastering creator-literacy. → They're founders first; consumers later. → Entrepreneurship is their default setting. → They will manage multiple revenue streams before they have a credit card. The harsh truth for influential people in their lives is that if you are pushing them down the traditional 'study hard, get a safe job' path, you are preparing them for a world that likely won't exist. Encourage the side hustle. Validating their Minecraft server business is more valuable than an A in history. Read the full article from the National Retail Federation here: https://lnkd.in/gyxc9an3 #GenAlpha #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #AI #CreatorEconomy #ParentingTips #BusinessTrends

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Wow… Apple’s new MagSafe power bank might be their worst product yet 🤯 Apple has just unveiled a new MagSafe power bank at their recent launch event - positioned as the successor to the original model they discontinued in 2023 after weak sales and poor reviews. The first version was heavily criticised for its tiny 1,460mAh capacity, which could only deliver about 40% charge to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. For $99, customers expected something that could at least recharge their phone once - instead, it was seen as overpriced, underpowered, and out of step with what people needed hence it being discontinued after 2 years. Rather than fixing those flaws, Apple has just introduced a new model that makes even less sense. It’s extremely poor across every key metric: battery capacity, charging percentage, device compatibility, charging speed, Functionality and price.... For $159, here’s what Apple is offering: ❌ 1,885mAh Battery Capacity ❌ 12W Charging Speed - even though the iPhone 17 Pro now supports Qi2.2 25W wireless charging? ❌ Up to 65% charge on an iPhone 17 Air ❌ No stand, no versatility, no features? ❌ Specifically designed only for the iPhone 17 Air? Why is this so bad? Apple is selling a $159 power bank that can’t fully charge a phone, is too slow to support their own flagship devices, and only works with one iPhone model in a lineup of 27 MagSafe-compatible products. Am i missing something here? 🤯 When designing a product, you must consider every detail - design, performance, interaction, look, experience etc..... That’s the standard we set out to achieve at Zip Zap. Through extensive R&D, we delivered a product that meets the level of quality you’d expect Apple to release themselves. Here’s how the Zap Pad compares: ✅ 5000mAh capacity - more than 2.5x Apple’s battery capacity ✅ 15W fast wireless charging (Released before Qi2 was announced) ✅ Premium Built-in stand for upright & video mode viewing ✅ Works across all 27 iPhone models + hundreds of Qi-compatible Androids & AirPod devices. ✅ Just $99.95 I think Apple has seriously missed the mark with this product - what’s your thoughts? Apple has a history of acquiring companies with better features than they can produce themselves… maybe it’s time they acquihire Zip Zap to lead their power bank division.

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No One Talks About the Founder's Guilt There’s ambition, and then there’s the cost that comes with it. The things you sacrifice. The people you let down. The quiet shame of missing family dinners because “you’re building something bigger." It's not burnout. It’s emotional debt. And when you’re the founder, nobody asks how you’re doing — only how the company is doing. We don’t need more hustle hacks. We need honesty about what this journey demands from you, and what’s okay to take back. #boostwitharmaan #lifestyle #entrepreneur #tech #pakistan #boostlifestyle #ceolife #hustle #mrboost

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The most powerful person in retail isn't who you'd expect. After years in consumer goods, I've seen many brands focus on meetings with SVPs and C-suite executives, thinking that these title-holders are the gatekeepers to shelf space. But the truth is that buyers are the real decision-makers in retail. Each buyer manages their category like a mini-GM, with a lot of autonomy over their product assortment. They control substantial budgets and make independent decisions about which brands earn coveted shelf space. At tonies® USA, much of our business growth came from cultivating strong relationships with buyers who believe in our product. These professionals rarely get overruled by senior leadership, especially for emerging brands, because they have a deep understanding of market trends and customer needs. I believe that if brands want retail success, they should focus on: 🤝 Building genuine relationships with buyers (Go to those happy hours and have honest conversations!) 💡 Understanding their specific goals (Is it velocity? Exclusivity? Innovation?) 🏅 Making them look good to their organization (Help them achieve their targets and showcase their success to senior leadership!) I encourage brands planning their retail strategy to ask themselves: "Are we focusing on the right relationship?" Senior leaders matter, but they typically defer to their buyers' expertise. And the buyer managing the category where your product belongs is the person who can transform your retail presence.

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Q4: Campus Activewear Ltd ran, RELAXO FOOTWEARS LIMITED slipped one grew 12% YoY, other shrank 7% The difference? → SKU velocity: 250+ new styles → Channel mix: Online outright sales up, distributor base rationalized → BIS tailwinds: Imports down, pricing power up → Inventory cleaned, WC days cut from 92 to 71 → Sneakers up 150% YoY - now 8.5% of sales Margins held at 17.6% despite higher A&P EBITDA CAGR? 28% till FY27 Design pulls demand, BIS creates moats, Ops drives margin... Mass footwear isn’t about reach anymore but retail discipline :) https://lnkd.in/gk7yuK8Z

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Stitch Fix Q1 results: 💰 Net revenue: +7.3% 🛍️ Active clients: -5.2% 💵 Revenue per client: +5.3% 📉 Net loss: $6.4 million The pleasing news from Stitch Fix is that revenue is back in growth and is up by a solid amount. Losses are also very moderate, which is a sea change from where the company was a while back. Active clients continue to moderate but churn is less than it was. It is also offset by higher revenue from existing users - which is a testament to the work Stitch Fix has done to make its service more relevant and compelling. In an age of overabundance and complexity there is a role for Stitch Fix. The service fills a need for those who want someone to translate all the choice into a more personalized offer. This, combined with stronger operating disciplines, makes the company one to watch. #retail #retailnews #earnings #fashion #services #apparel #econony

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Particularly excited to roll out a new approach for eS as a sub-brand focused on core competitive needs this year. This new structure allows eS to dial in on the nuances of pro needs, prioritize quality, and push the boundaries of functional innovation while continuing to deliver and expand our product range at the fast pace people have come to expect from our masterbrand. Working together with the amazing people at VAXEE ensures that the future of eS will have the benefit of their knowledge and experience - something that will help solidify a best-in-class approach to product development for years to come. In that way, we strive to set a new standard for pro gear in the form of eS. Do check out the story and spirit behind the first collaborative product, the new FS-1, which will hit the market this March.

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60% of Amazon’s BPC bestsellers today didn’t even exist 4 years ago. This new DSG Consumer Partners report shows what every D2C founder should pay attention to: In Beauty & Personal Care, 60% of Amazon’s current top bestsellers were launched in just the last 4 years. Think about it. It means more than 50% products driving revenue today were not in the market before 2021. Let me explain what it means for you: 1️⃣ Hero SKUs aren’t forever That shampoo or serum you bet on might take you from 0 to 1. But consumer preferences online shift every 6–12 months. What feels like a breakout hit today can fade tomorrow if you’re not innovating. 2️⃣ The online shelf is ruthless Unlike offline, where distribution locks you in, e-commerce surfaces whatever’s new and trending. Search, ads, and algorithms reward “freshness.” That’s why serums, sunscreens, and actives exploded so quickly, because insurgents kept pushing new formats. 3️⃣ Stage-gate innovation is the real playbook Top insurgent brands named in this report such as Dot & Key Skincare, Beardo, FIXDERMA INDIA PVT LTD, Farmley, and more are not gambling on one big launch. Instead they: ⚡ Test with pilots and small batches ⚡ Kill underperformers quickly ⚡ Double down on winners and scale them fast This cycle of launch → test → scale → repeat keeps them relevant. 4️⃣ Innovation = distribution Every new product is a chance to rank on new keywords, reach new audiences, and refresh ad performance. It’s how you stay visible in a market where 100+ competitors are one click away. In my experience while growing brands on Amazon and qcom, I’ve seen brands that rely on 1–2 SKUs hit a ceiling. But when they build a flywheel of newness + velocity which compounds faster, then they are harder to displace. In ecom, innovation is the currency of survival. Founders need to think: 🧠 How often are we refreshing our pipeline? 🧠 Are we killing underperformers fast enough? 🧠 Do we have a system to continuously launch? Because the shelf won’t be waiting And neither will the consumer! Want to learn more?  Comment BRAND and I'll DM you the PDF #d2c #brands #ecom #innovation #report #growth

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I didn’t start Redline Ventures because the world needed another fund. I started it because too many exceptional founders are under-supported, and too many serious investors are locked out of real tech deal flow. As a YC founder, I’ve seen how outcomes are actually created. Not by logos on a cap table, but by one investor who shows up, opens doors, and leans in when it matters. Redline exists to be that investor. For founders, that means operator judgment, hands-on support, and capital that comes with leverage. Intros, hiring help, distribution, and direct feedback. No cosplay. No performative “value add.” For LPs, it’s early access to the best technology companies in the world through Y Combinator and HF0 Residency. Deals they would never see otherwise, at the same terms, long before they read about them in the Wall Street Journal. This isn’t about spraying checks. It’s about conviction, alignment, and doing fewer things better. Access compounds. Trust compounds. So do results. That’s the thesis.

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Top 6 US-Based Dropshipping Agents You Should Know in 2025 If you’re running a Shopify or WooCommerce store and want faster delivery to your US customers, choosing a US-based dropshipping agent can make a big difference. 🇺🇸 In our latest blog, we’ve listed the Top 6 Dropshipping Agents in the US, comparing: ✅ Shipping speed & warehouse locations ✅ Product range & customization options ✅ Integration tools (Shopify, TikTok Shop, etc.) ✅ Ideal use cases for each agent 🚀 Whether you’re a beginner or scaling to 7 figures, this guide helps you find the right partner for your next move.

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Most DTC founders are stuck playing small. They don’t realize retail isn’t just a channel. It’s a multiplier. You can grind for months in DTC… Or land one retail buyer and 10x your output in a single PO. I’ve seen it firsthand. After launching 150+ products across 7 brands, here’s what I know: → DTC is your test lab. → Retail is how you scale. If you’re serious about building something durable Get shelf-ready. Build trust with buyers. And stop treating retail like it’s Shopify 2.0. Because in retail, you’re not just another brand. You’re a partner. And partners deliver. — Save this if you’re ready to stop playing small. DM me if you want help building your retail playbook.

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The JB Hi-Fi warranty case will change how retailers sell add-ons at checkout. Regardless of who wins.   Extended warranties have been a standard upsell in electronics retail for as long as I can remember. They help make the economics work in categories where product margins are thin.   The bigger issue here isn’t losing the case, It’s the reputational damage that comes simply from being in court. Just being there erodes customer trust and retailers are judged in the court of public opinion either way. Retailers now wont want the risk of being in court and on the news for something like this. Which is why I believe we’ll see retailers becoming far more conservative.   It will likely force retailers to rethink: • how extended warranties are explained • how consumer guarantees are disclosed • whether some warranty products are worth offering at all   I spoke to Inside Retail Australia today about what this case could mean for the industry.   The real question now is this: Will retailers stop selling extended warranties… or simply change how they explain them?

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News broke earlier this week that OpenAI is partnering with Shopify to pilot a completely new, native shopping feature within ChatGPT. This was originally mentioned in a TechRadar report that cited unreleased code discovered by Testing Catalog. What does this mean? The integration appears to enable users to browse, compare, and purchase products from Shopify merchants—without ever leaving the chat interface and if required, voice activated. Why does this matter? This new feature marks a significant step forward in ChatGPT’s utility as a new shopping tool and channel. This would be both a major threat and opportunity for brands and retailers alike. If you’re optimising your website for Google, you may soon have to optimise it for AI too! More here from EMARKETER - https://lnkd.in/eP8-jNvF #ai #retail #retailnews #shopping

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Why are your "Perfect" FAI reports leading to a 5% RMA spike next month? Because you're testing "Day 1," while your customers are suffering through "Day 21." The mobile accessory supply chain has normalized a toxic practice: The Illusion of Initial Quality. To shave off pennies, many factories swap high-end Vacuum Electroplated (AF) coatings for cheap spray-on alternatives. The result? • Day 1: Silky smooth. 115° water contact angle. Buyers are thrilled. • Day 21: The coating is gone. The screen becomes a greasy, fingerprint- covered nightmare. Customer complaints explode. The real tragedy isn't just factory corner-cutting. It's the "Cognitive Laziness" of buyers who only check golden samples and skip Accelerated Aging Tests. Saving $0.10 on the B2B side will cost you $10.00 in returns, reverse logistics, and a ruined brand reputation on the B2C side. A harsh truth for all hardware buyers: The true test of a screen protector is never out-of-the-box. It’s the friction it endures in a user's pocket after 3,000 cycles. Stop falling for the "Day 1 Illusion." Demand a Steel Wool Friction Test (3,000+ cycles) before measuring the water drop angle. That’s where the real quality hides. Have you ever had an FAI report lie to you like this? Let's discuss the supply chain "illusions" in the comments. #SupplyChain #B2BProcurement #SmartphoneAccessories #QualityControl #ScreenProtector

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