Shoplifting Increases at Retail Stores
Crain's New York Business, December 10, 2008
"Normally, real shoplifting increases at a rate that's greater than holiday sales increases because there's so much holiday traffic," said Bob Grayson, founder of retail consultancy the Grayson Co. "But there's no way to tell until after the holidays when the physical inventory check is done." Mr. Grayson has not heard of any specific complaints from clients.
Layoffs Loom on Seventh Avenue
WWD, December 3, 2008
"In addition, if the merger is being driven by the acquired company requiring a rescue, those executives viewed as responsible for the poor performance are also highly at risk," said Bob Grayson, principal of the Grayson Co., a retail consulting firm.
At Home in Lillian August
HFN, November 17, 2008
Although the home furnishings retail sector has taken a beating from the double blow of a struggling economy and the housing crisis, "We're still seeing growth," ... Although store traffic is off somewhat, "We're still seeing growth-comp-store sales are up somewhat," Grayson said. And the accessories business "is off the charts."
Mania for Markdowns: Consumers Get Benefit, But Vendors Squeezed
WWD, November 11, 2008
Bob Grayson, founder of The Grayson Co., a retail consulting firm, said it comes down to partnerships between vendors and stores. "The real story is not about when markdown dollars are requested or how much or whether cancellations should happen. The facts dictate that markdowns must be taken to clear the excess inventories..."
Specialty Retailers Seek Best-Selling Items in Tough Times
WWD, October 22, 2008
"The poor performers look at the troubled economy as cover, while the strong companies look at as an opportunity to gobble up market share," said Bob Grayson, founder of consumer products consulting firm The Grayson Co. "This macroeconomic overreaction we are seeing is cover to hide poor efforts."
Aeropostale Gets Grounded
Crain's New York Business, September 19, 2008
Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail consultancy Grayson/Hughes, cited the company's resilient denim business and consistent promotions. "The past couple months, they've been hitting the numbers," said Ms. Hughes. "There's going to be a sales deceleration across the board, but no more here than elsewhere."
Change Agent
WWD, Milestones Issue, September 6, 2008
"What we've seen so far at Macy's represents nothing truly new," says consultant Robert Grayson, a former president of Lerner New York, Limited Stores and ex-consultant to Tommy Hilfiger Corp. "There hasn't been anything truly new since the migration of the department store to the suburbs..."
The Big East
WWD, Milestones Issue, September 6, 2008
"I think localizing probably applies to 15 percent of the assortment that might need to be different by location. Probably 85 percent of the assortment works in every Macy's store across the U.S. The focus should be on getting the 85 percent right," says Bob Grayson of The Grayson Company, a retail consulting firm. "I would focus on the things that should be right in every store. The payback is much greater."
Ann Taylor downgraded on slow retail sector
Crain's New York Business, August 8, 2008
"She is making the necessary changes to affect the rest of her business, but unfortunately, the financial community is not very patient right now," said Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail consultancy Grayson/Hughes
Retailers Play The Top Card
Crain's New York Business, August 4-10, 2008
"Kids look at Macy's and ask, 'How does this work?'" says Bob Grayson, co-president of retail advisory firm Grayson/Hughes. "They've grown up with stores like Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Forever 21; they don't understand the department store."
Warnaco Suited For Success
Crain's New York Business, July 14-20, 2008
"We're all talking doom and gloom, but there are bright spots out there, and Warnaco's one," says Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail advisory firm Grayson/Hughes.
Grayson/Hughes: Executive Search Meets Retail Consulting
MR Magazine, June, 2008
Writer Karen Alberg Grossman interviews Bob Grayson and Elaine Hughes about their "new collaboration."
Calypso Founder Christiane Celle Exits Company
Women's Wear Daily, April 23, 2008
"...The company's prospects have never been brighter and the business is operating seamlessly under the interim leadership of Bob Grayson and Kevin Mullaney..."
Grayson, Hughes Set to Form New Firm
Women's Wear Daily, March 17, 2008
Retail consulting firm The Grayson Co. and executive search firm E.A. Hughes & Co. Inc. are forming Grayson/Hughes.
Challenges for Barneys: Tough CEO Search Ahead As Economy Hits Growth
Women's Wear Daily, May 13, 2008
Elaine Hughes is quoted as saying, "Howard Socol is very much his own man."
Crain's New York Business, December 10, 2008
"Normally, real shoplifting increases at a rate that's greater than holiday sales increases because there's so much holiday traffic," said Bob Grayson, founder of retail consultancy the Grayson Co. "But there's no way to tell until after the holidays when the physical inventory check is done." Mr. Grayson has not heard of any specific complaints from clients.
Layoffs Loom on Seventh Avenue
WWD, December 3, 2008
"In addition, if the merger is being driven by the acquired company requiring a rescue, those executives viewed as responsible for the poor performance are also highly at risk," said Bob Grayson, principal of the Grayson Co., a retail consulting firm.
At Home in Lillian August
HFN, November 17, 2008
Although the home furnishings retail sector has taken a beating from the double blow of a struggling economy and the housing crisis, "We're still seeing growth," ... Although store traffic is off somewhat, "We're still seeing growth-comp-store sales are up somewhat," Grayson said. And the accessories business "is off the charts."
Mania for Markdowns: Consumers Get Benefit, But Vendors Squeezed
WWD, November 11, 2008
Bob Grayson, founder of The Grayson Co., a retail consulting firm, said it comes down to partnerships between vendors and stores. "The real story is not about when markdown dollars are requested or how much or whether cancellations should happen. The facts dictate that markdowns must be taken to clear the excess inventories..."
Specialty Retailers Seek Best-Selling Items in Tough Times
WWD, October 22, 2008
"The poor performers look at the troubled economy as cover, while the strong companies look at as an opportunity to gobble up market share," said Bob Grayson, founder of consumer products consulting firm The Grayson Co. "This macroeconomic overreaction we are seeing is cover to hide poor efforts."
Aeropostale Gets Grounded
Crain's New York Business, September 19, 2008
Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail consultancy Grayson/Hughes, cited the company's resilient denim business and consistent promotions. "The past couple months, they've been hitting the numbers," said Ms. Hughes. "There's going to be a sales deceleration across the board, but no more here than elsewhere."
Change Agent
WWD, Milestones Issue, September 6, 2008
"What we've seen so far at Macy's represents nothing truly new," says consultant Robert Grayson, a former president of Lerner New York, Limited Stores and ex-consultant to Tommy Hilfiger Corp. "There hasn't been anything truly new since the migration of the department store to the suburbs..."
The Big East
WWD, Milestones Issue, September 6, 2008
"I think localizing probably applies to 15 percent of the assortment that might need to be different by location. Probably 85 percent of the assortment works in every Macy's store across the U.S. The focus should be on getting the 85 percent right," says Bob Grayson of The Grayson Company, a retail consulting firm. "I would focus on the things that should be right in every store. The payback is much greater."
Ann Taylor downgraded on slow retail sector
Crain's New York Business, August 8, 2008
"She is making the necessary changes to affect the rest of her business, but unfortunately, the financial community is not very patient right now," said Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail consultancy Grayson/Hughes
Retailers Play The Top Card
Crain's New York Business, August 4-10, 2008
"Kids look at Macy's and ask, 'How does this work?'" says Bob Grayson, co-president of retail advisory firm Grayson/Hughes. "They've grown up with stores like Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Forever 21; they don't understand the department store."
Warnaco Suited For Success
Crain's New York Business, July 14-20, 2008
"We're all talking doom and gloom, but there are bright spots out there, and Warnaco's one," says Elaine Hughes, co-president of retail advisory firm Grayson/Hughes.
Grayson/Hughes: Executive Search Meets Retail Consulting
MR Magazine, June, 2008
Writer Karen Alberg Grossman interviews Bob Grayson and Elaine Hughes about their "new collaboration."
Calypso Founder Christiane Celle Exits Company
Women's Wear Daily, April 23, 2008
"...The company's prospects have never been brighter and the business is operating seamlessly under the interim leadership of Bob Grayson and Kevin Mullaney..."
Grayson, Hughes Set to Form New Firm
Women's Wear Daily, March 17, 2008
Retail consulting firm The Grayson Co. and executive search firm E.A. Hughes & Co. Inc. are forming Grayson/Hughes.
Challenges for Barneys: Tough CEO Search Ahead As Economy Hits Growth
Women's Wear Daily, May 13, 2008
Elaine Hughes is quoted as saying, "Howard Socol is very much his own man."
