Women’s apparel and accessories are showing renewed strength in an otherwise uneven retail environment. As consumers rebuild wardrobes, rethink personal style, and seek more confidence in what they buy, specialty multi-brand boutiques are emerging as one of retail’s most compelling growth stories. For retailers, brands,…
Chicago’s retail landscape continues to evolve this fall with two distinct additions: Kith, the New York-based luxury streetwear and lifestyle brand founded by designer Ronnie Fieg, and Jellycat, the British plush label known for its whimsical designs and cult social media following. Both openings underscore…
Americans and visitors to the U.S.A. love a road trip. This summer, 84% of Americans plan to take a road trip with “micro-trips”, shorter 4-5 day trips, growing in popularity. Buc-ee’s, featured in our 2025 Retail Innovations, targets these road-trippers. Part of the fun of…
When it comes to delivering the right products to the right customers, few companies are as consistently successful as Costco and Lululemon. While they operate in different retail universes—Costco as a membership-based warehouse club and Lululemon as a premium athletic apparel brand—both have built powerful…
HBO Max recently premiered “Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion,” a documentary exposing the controversial marketing strategies, leadership, and fast fashion production practices of teenage-focused apparel chain Brandy Melville. Known for its one-size-fits-“most” approach, Brandy Melville skyrocketed to popularity among teen girls in…
Austin, the capital of Texas, is a vibrant, eclectic, and creative city that has recently experienced remarkable growth and transformation. Austin’s retail landscape reflects the uniqueness of the city’s culture, making it a wonderful destination to explore best in class retailers. McMillanDoolittle specializes in designing…
McMillanDoolittle has kept an eye on the trending categories of 2023, and we have you covered on the brands to watch in the new year. Consider this blog a resource for your holiday gift list, with great options geared toward a range of ages and…
We break down the latest in Gen Z and Millennial retail trends observed across recently opened Chicago locations from up-and-coming brands. At McMillanDoolittle, we always have our eye on the latest store openings and concepts as brands continue to strategically position themselves to deepen their…
McMillanDoolittle’s Amanda Lai joined The Schwab Network’s Trading360 to discuss the outlook for footwear business On after their latest earnings release. Despite On Holding’s sliding stock performance on the day of the earnings release, Amanda expects the brand to maintain momentum against competitors like Nike and…
Legendary American brand and retailer Ralph Lauren took a major step in its Canadian expansion this month, opening their first full-price store in Toronto and launching a dedicated Ecommerce site. Although Ralph Lauren has been selling merchandise in Canada for years through wholesale and outlet…
