As Chicago-based retail consultants, we closely monitor store openings across the city, especially when brands make their Chicago debut. Which neighborhood do they choose as their first home? Are they poised to connect with the Chicago customer? In this blog, we spotlight recent arrivals to…
Department stores have long been iconic players in global retail—but their relevance and resilience vary greatly by region. In the United States, these stores continue to face declining foot traffic and fierce digital disruption. In Mexico, as we witnessed on our recent visit, department stores…
Global Executives’ Perspective on the 2025 Retail Landscape Announcing the release of the third edition of our Global Executive Research Whitepaper Our latest global publication, co-published by our international Ebeltoft alliance and the World Retail Congress, captures the year’s unique retail challenges and opportunities from…
Our McMillanDoolittle team braved the long wait times to visit the newest Harry Potter Shop. As Chicago-based consultants, we’re eager to see if this new store can continue to bring much-needed energy and excitement to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Take a virtual photo tour of the…
Another Shoptalk in the rearview mirror. After a busy and productive week in Las Vegas, here are my takeaways from one of the most important shows in the retail calendar. I organized my thoughts based the factors that are important to our consulting and our…
Earlier this year, we released the 20th edition of Retail Innovations. Neil Stern, CEO of Good Food Holdings, Partner Emeritus at McMillanDoolittle, and former Chairman of the Ebeltoft Group reflects on the changes we’ve seen in the industry. Download your own copy of Retail Innovations…
Long associated with traditional recliners and comfort, La-Z-Boy is actively repositioning itself as a lifestyle brand with a focus on modern aesthetics, evolving consumer preferences, and new retail experiences. As part of this transformation, the company has opened its first “Experiential Store” in Chicago’s Lincoln…
Earlier this year, we released the 20th edition of Retail Innovations, our annual exploration of the most cutting-edge concepts driving retail forward. For our second #ThemeThursday, we’re diving into “Enriched Business Models”, with a focus on TikTok Shop. As companies seek to diversify their offerings…
McMillanDoolittle is proud to present the 20th edition of Retail Innovations, our annual exploration of the most compelling themes and standout concepts shaping global retail. For our first #ThemeThursday, we focus on “Engaging Destinations”, highlighting the latest innovation from Eataly founder Oscar Farinetti, Grand Tour…
Nearly half of companies report that demonstrating AI business value is a top barrier to implementing Generative AI capabilities. In this Harvard Business Review article, Mary Purk—McMillanDoolittle’s resident GenAI leader and founder of the AI and Analytics Institute at Wharton—shares actionable strategies to help organizations…
