PROFILE
Patricia Vekich Waldron
Contributing Editor, RetailWire; Founder and CEO, Vision First
For over two decades, Patricia has lived at the crossroads of consumers, technology, and data. Her track record is filled with the stories of companies who have, with her help, differentiated themselves through innovative strategies, solutions, and marketing initiatives.
Patricia is CEO and Founder of Vision First an advisory firm that helps companies stand out in a crowded market where many are vying for visibility. She is known for identifying new market opportunities to drive growth, launching, repositioning offerings, and showing up differently in the marketplace.
Patricia speaks at global industry events, including World Retail Congress, Consumer Goods Forum, Retail Leaders Forum, and the National Retail Federation (NRF) and is well known by clients, partners, press, and analysts around the world.
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- Posted on: 10/09/2019
Why is Target helping Toys “R” Us get back online?
This is Target’s second partnership with a family-friendly brand - Toys "R" Us and Disney - which put desired products into the hands of their core customers. I’m staying tuned for more of these types of relationships. - Posted on: 10/02/2019
Is Walmart’s CEO the right leader for Business Roundtable?
The recent position and actions WMT has taken in regards to firearms, healthcare and vaping, along with the significant number of consumers it directly connects with, make Doug McMillon a great choice to guide this group. Our industry is stepping in and up when lawmakers or other systems don't or can’t step up. - Posted on: 09/25/2019
What makes consumers grumble most about returning online orders?
I agree! For me it’s much easier to pop an unwanted item into an envelope and send it back. As far as transparency goes, it would be simple for retailers to send a note to consumers when the item has been received and when a credit has been issued. - Posted on: 09/20/2019
Is AI at the center of the retail technology universe?
AI is the most recent advance in analytics -- retailers have been on a decades-long journey to gain insights from data. Making better decisions (over time and in real-time) across the organization is essential to connecting with customers, employees and suppliers. - Posted on: 09/19/2019
What is retail’s role in building a better society?
Given retailers direct relationship with consumers and store networks they are in a unique position to take action to address consumers and society’s needs. - Posted on: 09/19/2019
What is retail’s role in building a better society?
The inaction of lawmakers is indeed opening up opportunities for retailers! - Posted on: 09/18/2019
Chewy gains customers and increases sales, but will it ever be profitable?
Chewy is investing heavily in growing market share - I get promotional direct mail from them regularly! It’s a risky growth model to hope that volume will eventually morph into profits. - Posted on: 09/11/2019
WRT #digitaltransformation success
Effectively using data to make better decisions (over time and in real-time) is a perennial industry problem. To modernize, retailers need access to good quality internal and external data, effective tools to analyze, plan, predict and act, and event brokers to easily and securely move data points to where the need to be. The culture of distributed decision-making starts at the top, requires collaboration across the organization and a modern IT infrastructure to execute. - Posted on: 09/10/2019
Nordstrom Local hopes for big returns from the competition
Interesting move by Nordstrom to target and understand Macy's and Kohl's shoppers -- sounds like a chance to introduce their brand to new cohort. Having visited the #DTLA Local, I think Nordstrom would be well served to add some sample or featured items to further entice shoppers to visit their website or new flagship. - Posted on: 09/09/2019
Ace Hardware builds through acquisition in the do-it-for-me market
As an urban-dweller, I think this is a big win. It's tough to get small repairs and other jobs sourced. Using a contractor associated with my neighborhood Ace Hardware store will help me -- and other consumers -- cross projects off our respective to-do lists! - Posted on: 09/06/2019
Would you go to Walmart to see a doctor?
This is another (great) example of our industry stepping in to fill needs when the existing systems are not serving the needs of our society. Approachable healthcare, stopping the sale of harmful products - like cigarettes at CVS and guns at Dick's, and potentially dangerous behavior in stores - banning customers from bringing assault rifles into stores. - Posted on: 09/05/2019
Will Jockey inspire brand loyalty with its very first pop-up shop?
When done well, pop-ups can attract new customers and energize a brand. Jockey's success will depend on whether its products resonate with today’s shoppers. - Posted on: 09/03/2019
Will H&M’s ambassador program turn employees into social influencers?
Since sales associates (should) have extensive knowledge of H&M's merchandise and clientele, it is a clever and authentic strategy to turn top employees into brand ambassadors. - Posted on: 08/28/2019
Caribou appears in Starbucks’ rearview with drive-thru concept
I grew up in Minnesota and would have very much appreciated getting my Caribou Coffee from a warm car. The key to success will be putting Cabins in optimal locations and executing without a hitch! - Posted on: 08/27/2019
What makes a good brand mascot in 2019?
Mascots are just another tactic that brands can use to represent their value proposition and brand promise to consumers. Effectiveness will depend on how well the imagery, message and promotions resonate with the targeted consumers.
