Industries

Consumer, Retail, and eCommerce

Digital transformation has made winners and losers out of venerable brands we have all known for decades, if not a lifetime. The ability for any consumer to access any store or inventory from the palm of their hand, along with the advent (and power) of instant customer reviews, has leveled the playing field even further. Department and retail stores are now often turning into customer-service or branding outposts, with last-mile delivery services giving us instant gratification. The changes to supply chains required to compete globally can be daunting.

The overlay of customer-derived data and shopping patterns give the edge, or least an opening, for new brands who can be nimbler and more innovative. While the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space has been tamed a bit, we still see leaders here being able to improve margins and bypass the middleman/channel and build strong, profitable relationships directly with their customers.

This space will continue to face disruption as more and more consumers trust – and even rely on – products being true to representation and delivered in an ever-shortening interval. Amazon is the giant, and their “Prime” membership is the envy of many a branded company. Big box leaders such as Costco still compete across an ever-broadening array of products or services.

We are bullish on innovation being the path to success and believe that GameChangers who already have experience living through this massive shift will be the leaders in the space.